|
|
|
March 14, 2017 Spring: Issue 5
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Sustainability is one of those things where once you're introduced to it, you begin to see it in everything. But what is it? It is opportunity. It is improvement. It is green. It is systems. Food. Water. Atmosphere. Economies. Land. Plants. Animals. Health. Energy. Justice. Earth. Whenever I talk about sustainability it's so hard to know where to begin and where to end.
If you're new to the concept, the Sustainability Summit is a great place to begin. You'll hear about what we're doing at FLC to be more 'green' and get some insightful perspectives on 'what is sustainability' and how to frame the way you think of it. Plus you'll have a chance to make connections to other organizations doing work in the world of sustainability.
If you feel like a sustainability veteran then the Summit is for you, too! There's no end to the new ideas and concepts that can relate to sustainability. Case and point, this year our Summit workshops are going to focus on many aspects of organizing and advocacy work, social networks, and civic engagement. That's why our theme is POWERING UP: How to influence power structures to create a more sustainable world. I bet those aren't the first things you think of when you think of the term sustainability. So come see how it all relates!
Oh and did I mention that we'll have FREE 'real' food snacks and light dinner? If you're curious what makes food 'real', well that's another reason to come.
So what are you doing on Tuesday, March 21 from 4:30 - 7:30? Coming to the 4th Annual Sustainability Summit in the Student Union Vallecito Room? Great, see you there!
More details on our Facebook and website!
Marty Pool
Assistant Coordinator
Fort Lewis College Environmental Center
PS: If you're curious, a good way to test if you're a sustainability veteran is if you can type it without misspelling it - that took me about 2 years to get right...
|
|
|
|
Local Food Hunger Force is serving
Green Drinks (literally) at the Environmental Center!
Come by the EC this Friday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Local Food Hunger Force!
We're serving up some FREE freshly-pressed green juice! What makes it green and delicious at the same time? Apples, lemons, kale, and other fresh produce expertly juiced and mixed. Good and good for ya!
When:
Friday, March 17 from 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Where:
The Environmental Center office (Student Union 145)
|
|
Zero Waste Team is hosting a
Trash Bash!
Here's your chance to get involved and actually change our trash and recycling systems here at Fort Lewis College. The Zero Waste team is going to be putting on our big gloves and space suits (yep, space suits) and digging through campus trash.
Why do we do this and why would you want to help us out!? Because
this is how we actually make change! We have know what we're throwing away before we can figure out how to do better. Want to make a difference? This is how.
When:
Monday, April 3 and Thursday, April 6; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days
Where:
Clock Tower lawn
|
|
Zero Waste Team
The Free Store:
We have shirts! We have pants! We have shoes! Sometimes we feel like we have it all!
Stop by and pick up some new items for your 2017 wardrobe while helping the environment.
The Free Store is all about reusing - keeping items out of the landfill and preventing the need to just produce and consume more and more stuff!
Feel free to drop off your donation items with a staff member any time at the EC office, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
When:
Every Thursday, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
Student Union lobby
|
 Energy Impact:
Get a FREE Energy Efficient LED Bulb!
The EC's Energy Impact team is proud to offer the Light Bulb Swap-Out program for FLC students
Current FLC students can bring their old incandescent light bulbs to the Environmental Center to receive a FREE LED replacement! Your participation in this program will not only give you a free light bulb, but will also reduce your energy consumption - saving you and FLC money.
Why switch to LED?
LED bulbs are 80% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and can last 20x longer (this bulb will be with you for quite a while). They also do not contain mercury, unlike CFL bulbs.
Through collective effort, we can influence the energy consumption both on and off campus and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Stop by to learn more about our energy efforts, other Energy Impact Initiative projects, and how you can get involved!
LED bulbs generously provided by LPEA.
|
|
Events and Happenings in our Local Community
|
|
|
You're invited to come support:
LPEA Progressive and
Low-Carbon Candidates
Did you know that your local electrical provider La PLata Electric Association (LPEA) is governed by a board of directors? Did you know that every year, anyone who pays for electrical service from LPEA can vote on these board members?
Join the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado (SASCO)
to meet this year's pro-renewable, pro-local energy candidates:
- Rachel Landis, City of Durango
- Guinn Unger, North Valley
Come out to learn the candidates platforms, ask questions, and share what you would like to see happen in our regional energy system with your prospective elected officials....oh, and did we mention that a good time will be had by all?
If you are unable to attend on Thursday, but still want to help our progressive energy platform, we are looking for people to help knock doors, donate, or lend their expertise in other way.
Interested volunteers can sign up here!
When: Thursday, March 16 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Carver Brewing
Cost: Free / Donations Appreciated
|
|
La Plata Open Space Conservancy
Film Night!
Our very own Coordinator, Rachel Landis, along with several other wonderful presenters will share their insights about protecting that which we love!
|
|
The FLC Lifelong Learning series Presents
Climate Change, Population, and the Ethics of Making Babies
To breed or not to breed?
Travis N. Rieder is a philosopher and bioethicist at the Johns Hopkins Berman
Institute of Bioethics in Baltimore, MD. In a world of more than 7 billion people
on the brink of catastrophic climate change, the assumption that having a big
family is good may be wrong. Rieder will discuss basic models and predictions,
the role of human population in climate change, and moral principles in favor
of small families.
When: Thursday, March 23 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: FLC Noble Hall, room 130
|
|
Know where you stand on
Fluoride in Durango's Water
With a vote coming up soon in the City of Durango to determine if residents want to keep fluoridating our City Water, it has become clear that there is much to learn about the ongoing debate concerning this important health issue.
The Yes on 1A (take fluoride out) campaign is hosting an event on campus and encourages citizens to come and bring your questions, concerns, and perspective, and hear from some FLC faculty, as well as some community members of Clean Water Durango.
When: Wednesday, March 15 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: FLC Berndt Hall, Room 235
Learn More:
The No on 1A (keep fluoride in) campaign page can be found here:
|
|
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
|
|
Growing Partners of SW Colorado:
Community Leadership Training
Join the Growing Partners for a six month collaborative training designed to support you in shaping the world you want to live in.
They will look through the lens of food justice and food sovereignty while building skills that will help you address the issues you care about.
When: The second Saturday of the month / March 10 - July 8
Where: The program meets in a different community each month. Support will be available to make your participation possible.
Cost: Free
|
|
Wilderness Workshop is seeking a
Summer Intern
The Wilderness Workshop intern will be based at the Wilderness Workshop office in Carbondale, Colorado and will work under the supervision of Wilderness Workshop staff.
Primary duties include:
- Helping to plan and organize special events
- Helping to coordinate the Artist in Wilderness Residency program
- Providing administrative support for membership programs
- Engaging in conservation advocacy
When: June 5th - August 31st
Where: Carbondale, CO
Pay/Stipend: $1,000 - $2,000 per month
|
Scholarships:
La Plata Conservation District
The La Plata Conservation Districyt is pleased to announce its 2017-18 Scholarship Program for entering college freshman and currently enrolled college or university students. The District will offer $1,500 scholarships for two qualifying students!
Application Deadline(s): Friday, April 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Learn More: La Plata Conservation District
Apply Here! |
|
The Colorado Association for Recycling:
S
eeking Candidates for Future Leader Program
This conference scholarship program provides funds for college students to attend the Colorado Association for Recycling's 'Summit for Recycling' conference.
The conference agenda inclu des educational sessions, a silent auction, a variety of presenters, and site tours. The Summit offers an excellent setting to network with private business, government, non-profit, and university representatives!
Application Deadline: Friday, April 14
|
|
The Garden Project of SW Colorado:
AmeriCorps is Looking for a School Garden Coordinator
The School Garden Coordinator will serve closely with schools and youth organizations to create outdoor learning opportunities and reinforce the importance of local food and healthy lifestyles through experiential and garden education.
Application Deadline: Spring 2017
|
|
FLC Student Internship for
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Environmental Programs
This internship involves working within the Air and Water disciplines within a Tribal Environmental Program. Technical aspects include working with and performing various tasks within ambient air monitoring, air permitting and compliance, stream monitoring, riparian restoration and Clean Water Act policy implementation resulting in a well-rounded, technical understanding of a Tribal environmental program.
Application Deadline: April 14th
Pay/Stipend: $12/hour
|
|
College Credit Opportunty!
Wild Rockies Field Institute: Spring and Summer Courses
Earn credit while living in your tent! Seriously!
WRFI offers a range of courses that cater to your interests, schedule and academic needs. Classes run from two to nine weeks and fulfill anywhere from three 3 - 15 semester credits.
All classes provide affordable alternatives to traditional classroom academics in some of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes in the world.
You will be introduced to the most beautiful and interesting people and places that will change your world forever!
|
|
Further Resources and Opportunities
|
|
National Young Farmer's Coalition introduces:
Young Farmer Success Act
H.R 1060 was introduced just last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill proposes student loan debt relief for young farmers who are now working to feed their communities. An important way to lower one of the many roadblocks young farmers face when trying to get up and running.
NYFC has worked hard advocating for these types of measures at the state level and is now pushing nationally!
Check out the
NYFC webpage to see more of their efforts and find ways that you can get involved. Or contact their
Southwest Organizer who is based in Gunnison, CO.
|
|
Southwest CO Council of Governments
Recycling Resource:
It seems like the rules for recycling change wherever you go! Fortunately, there is a new recycling resource for you . . .
Check out the Southwest Council of Government's new
region-wide recycling resource
for a one-stop shop on how to recycle throughout our five-county region.
Many thanks to the Environmental Center Interns who spent the Fall of 2015 sorting through our region's trash (literally) to help inform this much needed, regional resource!
|
|
|
|
