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March 1, 2017 Spring: Issue 4
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| The Interconnected Nature of Our Work |
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Dear Friends of the Environmental Center,
My coworkers at the EC are constantly reminding me of the interconnected nature of life. Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed about climate change and environmental issues, I remember that it's not my job to change the world alone. The responsibility is a shared burden.
Positive change exists on a spectrum. There is a strong sense of unity at the EC, and we all realize that each team is interdependent. A holistic approach is necessary when dealing with the precarious future of the environment. We strongly believe in this philosophy at the EC.
It's impossible to talk about food security without thinking about what makes our food 'real'. We can't discuss food issues without investigating the impacts of our waste habits. And in order to understand all these things, we have to be aware of how much energy it takes to produce everything we need in today's world.
It's easy to become single-minded when it comes to the challenges we face, but we must focus on how individual problems relates to each other. A solid knowledge of how environmental and social issues interact is essential, but this realization can be stressful. We often want to tackle everything at once.
Coming to terms with the complexities of life should be humbling, and our reaction shouldn't be despair. We need to work together. We need to celebrate each other's strengths and work on our weaknesses together. This kind of support is one of the things I love about the EC.
My efforts never go unnoticed, and my coworkers always find the time to remind me of this. The EC fosters an environment of genuine encouragement and community. I would like to thank everyone at the EC for easing my anxieties and helping me strive for positive change.
Love,
Alexandra Lamb
Environmental Center, ENVS S'17
Media and Communications Manager
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Save the Date - Tuesday March 21st:
Sustainability Summit 2017
Want to learn what is happening in sustainability on campus? Curious what the heck the nebulous term 'sustainability' even means? Want to be part of making a change you wish to see in the world? If you answered any of these questions with a 'yes', you need to come to this year's 4th Annual Sustainability Summit - Tuesday, March 21st from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Student Union Vallecito room.
This year our theme is POWERING UP: How to influence power structures to create a more sustainable world.
We'll have dinner, speakers and lots of great workshops to teach you real world skills so you can make a difference in your world! Keep an eye out for more details on our Facebook and website!
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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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Real Food Challenge:
Organic Apples
Win Our Valentine's 'Vote Real' Campaign!
625 students 'Voted Real' this February, and 380 cast their ballots for organic, local apples!
560 lbs of apples served annually in San Juan Dining will no longer be treated with 47 bee harming pesticides! The EC is proud to support Durango's rich history in the apple industry.
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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 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
Student Union lobby
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The EC's Student Blog: Rooted
Check out our students' blog posts from this year and years past.
Listen to the student voices that drive home the story of the Environmental Center! |
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Events and Happenings in our Local Community
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First 100 Days Event:
Teach-In: Teaching Rights, Actions and Resistance!
Tired of calling and writing and feeling ignored? Join your community in a 1970's style Teach-In!
There will be a killer line up of speakers and trainers to educate attendees on how to be more effective activists.
Stick around for the post-party, and help us lay down the boogie!
When: Wednesday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Powerhouse Science Center
Cost: Free / Donations Appreciated
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Green Business Roundtable!
Learning from the LEEDers:
The Green Buildings of Southwest Colorado
Colorado has been on the Top 10 List of States for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for the last seven years.
Come learn about the 17 buildings in SW Colorado that have contributed to this special ranking. This presentation also highlights strategies to reduce the environmental impact of choices you might make in your home and office!
When: Wednesday, March 8 from 12 - 1 p.m.
Where: Henry Strater Theater
Cost: $15 in
advance or $18 at the door
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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
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Sustainability Alliance:
La Plata Electric Association's Progressive Candidate Launch Party
Come out and join the Sustainability Alliance of SW Colorado to learn about this year's LPEA Board of Directors election.
Learn the issues, and meet the progressive candidates working to increase renewable energy in our region.
Get involved . . . and enjoy some great beer!
When:
Thursday, March 16 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Where:
Carver Brewing Company
Cost:
Free / Donations Appreciated
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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
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Professional Hiking:
Trails 2000 Needs Trail Reporters for the Upcoming Season
If you regularly walk, run, hike, bike, or ride horses on trails in and around Durango, then please consider becoming a trail reporter.
Trails 2000 is seeking reporters to help provide on-the-ground condition updates and photos to use for our
Trail Conditions Report, and to share the information and photos with other trail users.
Open House and Training Session: Wednesday, March 1 at 5 p.m.
Where:
Ska Brewing
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Summer Internship / Fellowship:
The Post-Landfill Action Network is Looking for Summer Interns
If you are a current student or recent graduate interested in learning about grass roots environmental action, social entrepreneurship and student leadership for positive change should consider an internship with PLAN.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 1 at 5 p.m.
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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! |
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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
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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
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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!
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Further Resources and Opportunities
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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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