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January 31, 2017 Spring: Issue 2
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A Message from the EC:
Get Involved! Speak Your Mind!
Become a Change-Maker!
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To Our Community,
One of the ways the EC supports student success is by helping our staff discover what they are passionate about when it comes to environmental and social justice issues. Success takes many forms, however, and each student at the EC embarks on their own personal journey.
Hayley Kirkman, the EC Graphic Designer, shares her story about using art for action: "I have recently come to the realization that I want to use art to fight for what's right," Kirkman said. "I have the ability to convey important messages through imagery, and with that comes a huge responsibility."
EC staffer, Aolani Peiper, is another example of student success here at the EC. She is the team coordinator for the Real Food Challenge and is only a sophomore, but she has already accomplished so much!
"My perspective has changed a lot since I became involved with the EC," Peiper said. "I became turned on to food systems and the social justice side of this work. The fact is, "real food" requires a movement, and I want to make a difference."
There are many success stories like this here at the EC, and we aspire to graduate effective change-makers. We want to instill a message of positive activism and community participation within our students. But it doesn't stop with just us. We want to help all Durango community members realize their full potential for democratic action.
Sometimes people are paralyzed by the realities of this world, and they do not know what to do, where to turn, how to make a difference. But just remember that a little bit of action can go a long way when you look at things collectively. It's the small steps and actions that culminate into great progress.
Our main piece of advice: if you feel overwhelmed, simply pick an action that matters to you and commit to it. Show up to city meetings, county meetings, advocacy group meetings, public hearings for government agencies, etc! Attend local workshops, tie into advocacy groups, call your representatives, volunteer for a community non profit, make a small change in your diet, learn how to reduce your energy consumption, support local business, recycle . . . the list is endless.
Check out the rest of the Digest to learn more about events you can attend and the ways you can get involved with the issues you care about!
Sincerely,
Alexandra Lamb
Environmental Center, ENVS S'17
Media and Communications Manager |
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Call for Proposals:
Sustainability Initiative Grant
We've done a lot of great sustainability work over the years at FLC: we are officially recognized by the Princeton Review as a Green School, w
e have reduced our carbon footprint by 20 percent over the past five years, we've increased our campus Real Food by 5% in one year...
Now we are looking to fund your great idea for making FLC even greener. Apply to receive
up to $5,000 to fund your project to improve FLC campus sustainability.
Who Can Apply: Students, staff, faculty, departments, programs, and Registered Student Organizations
Application Deadline: Feb. 25 at 5:00 pm
Click here to for more information!
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Anti-apocalyptic, "Real" Lunch with Craig Childs
Join award-winning author of
Apocalyptic Planet, Craig
Childs, for a"Real Food" lunch featuring a home-cooked feast of fair, humane, ecologically sound and local foods.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Where: FLC Student Union, Vallecito Room
Cost: $10 for general admission / $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased
at the door or in advance
online!
For More Information: Contact Rachel, rllandis@fortlewis.edu or call 970-247-7091
Click here for more information on additional Common Reading Experience events featuring Craig Childs!
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Real Food Challenge:
It's Time to Vote Real Again!
Don't have a Valentine?
Don't worry!
Send all of your Valentine love to the earth this February by voting real.
Choose whether apples, carrots, or zucchinis switch from conventional sources to organic. Your pick will be forever sourced as organic - one of the ways a food qualifies as "real" under the program.
Visit the Real Food Challenge Team
webpage for more information on how to vote and to learn why organic, humane, fair trade, and local foods are so important!
VOTING ENDS ON FEBRUARY 13!
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New Posts!
The EC's Student Blog: Rooted
Engaging with Real Food
By Aolani Peiper, Real Food Challenge Coordinator
The last time I wrote for the Environmental Center was during my freshman year and my first semester at the EC. Now I am nearing the end of my sophomore year, and I am the coordinator of the Real Food Challenge Team. I never would have thought I would be leading this special team of intelligent and hardworking individuals into the realm of food justice and security
. . . Read more
Ripples in the Water: The Experience of an Environmental Artist
By Hayley Kirkman, EC Artist & Graphic Designer
Taking on a graphic design internship with the Environmental Center was one of the most important decisions of my college career. Not only am I growing personally and professionally in the design realm, but I am learning how to contribute to society and protect our planet. When you walk into the EC, you instantly feel a vibrant motility from our atmosphere . . .
Read more
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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 pm - 2:00 pm
Where:
Student Union lobby
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 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.
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Alumni Stories:
Meet Alimni Brandon Francis!
EC alumni, Brandon Francis, is working to advance food security and sovereignty on the Navajo Nation.
Check out this amazing
interview with Francis to learn more about food justice, and listen to him share an overview of his work with Yeego Gardening, a community gardening program he created.
The EC would like to thank Francis for this extraordinary environmental work!
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FLC Life-long Learning Series:
Food Insecurity: Global to Local Perspectives by Professor Dick White
Dick White, professor emeritus of astronomy at Smith College, Durango City Councilor, and sustainability advocate will discuss the world's increasing population and what that means for our finite world threatened by climate change.
When: Thursday, Feb. 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: FLC Noble Hall, Room 130
Cost: Free!
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Come See the EC Float in the Snowdown Parade!
The EC will be celebrating the earth along with the whole the universe at this year's Intergalactic themed Snowdown celebration.
Come support our wonderful community, and support the EC by coming to the Snowdown parade and cheering us on!
When: Friday, Feb. 3, 4:00 pm
Where: Main Street
Cost: Free!
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Community Concert Hall:
Music, Citizen Engagement and Water Resource Management
FLC is hosting a panel discussion exploring how we, as individuals, can become more involved in the management of our precious and limited water supply.
There will also be a panel discussion about how the Nile water region parallels or diverges from the water stresses here in Durango and the Four Corners. The discussion will be held in conjunction with The Nile Project, a visiting music ensemble.
When: Monday, Feb. 6, 7:00 pm
Where: The FLC Community Concert Hall
Cost: Free!
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El Centro de Muchos Colores:
Cuban Lunch with
Willie and Yoel Santiago
Join El Centro to welcome Willie and Yoel Santiago from Cuba, who own and operate a 9 acre sustainable farm in Cuba where they grow foods to help the community around them. Their project helps feed 5,000 people!
Light refreshments will be served.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Where: El Centro (ground floor of Student Union)
Cost: Free!
For More Info: Please call El Centro at
(970) 247-7654
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Conservation Priorities in 2017
Learn about the threats and opportunities facing Colorado's environment this year, and what you can do to help.
Speakers include: State House Representative Barbara McLachlan, La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt, and
Conservation Colorado staff.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: Himalayan Kitchen
Cost: Free!
Click here to RSVP and for more info.
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Celebrate
Community-Driven
Education and Action!
Our 1st 100 Days
is a coalition of local organizations providing our community with opportunities to become educated on important educational,social and environmental issues.
We offer up 100 day calendar of related activities happening our community as well as a directory of different organizations and groups that you can plug in to if you want to get more involved in a specific action.
When: Ongoing through the Spring 2017
Click here to learn more!
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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!
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Jobs, Scholarships & Internships!
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U.S Forest Service Opportunity
The Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service is hiring over 900 temporary jobs in a variety of exciting and rewarding occupations for the 2017 field season throughout the national forests and grasslands in Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Application Deadlines: Most postings end Wednesday, Feb. 8
Click here for more information!
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The University of New Hampshire:
Sustainability Fellows Program
This program pairs graduate and undergraduate students from throughout the U.S. with municipal, educational, corporate, and NGO partners in New England to work on innovative climate change and sustainability initiatives.
This is a summer opportunity for experiential learning, professional development and mentorship in the expansive environmental field, and it also provides a $6,000 stipend.
When: May 31 - Aug. 18
Where: The University of New Hampshire
Application Deadline: Feb. 17
Click here for more information!
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Gain the Knowledge to Change the Future
The C2C's
Fellowship Network at the
Bard Center for Environmental Policy is a national program for undergraduates and recent graduates aspiring to work in sustainable politics, NGOs and business.
C2C training workshops focus on leadership skills: vision, courage, developing your network, telling your story, and raising funds. Graduates of the workshops join a national network with access to continuing professional and educational opportunities, including dedicated scholarships to attend Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability.
When: March 3 - 5
Where: Bard College, New York
Click here for more information!
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