Welcome to the Environmental Center (EC) Digest!
Every two weeks, this little gem of digital media arrives in your inbox full of all things environmental, sustainable, socially responsible, and just plain "green."
Scroll down to check out:
- Environmental Center happenings
- Community and campus events, initiatives, and opportunities
- Jobs, internships, workshops, and trainings
And of course, our ever-anticipated (and always thought-provoking) EC musings.
Enjoy!
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A tip to all you "old" activists: stop treating "younger" people like unicorns.
We all know that stereotypes are not helpful. The stereotype I've been seeing a lot lately is "older" people talking about "younger" people getting involved. I use quotes there because those terms are obviously relative. To a 5 year old, a 20 year old is old and wise. But someone in their 60s may not see a 20 year old that way, maybe not even considering them an "adult" yet. Even me personally - in any given week I'll be the oldest in a room for one meeting and then the youngest by far in the next.
With age comes experience, certainly. But I would argue that passion knows no age. I know the desire to get the next generation involved is powerful and entirely well meaning. Heck, it's what the Environmental Center is all about! What I'm talking about, though, is what I see as the unhelpful perspective that a young person getting involved is some kind of rare, fleeting event. Something to be marveled at. Is it awesome when young people stand up for what they believe in? You bet it is! But do we need to walk up to them and literally say the words "It's so great to see young people getting involved!" Nope. No we don't. What about a simple "Thanks for everything you do!"
Young people are people. They do things because they are personally driven. They work to make a positive change in the world because they think it's the right thing to do, or even the cool thing to do. They don't need people reminding them of their age as they do these things. When it comes to the fight to make this world a better place, we're all in this together, no matter how old.
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Marty Pool
Environmental Center Coordinator
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Environmental Center Happenings
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The EC has six student-driven teams working on environmental, social, and sustainability issues. Every semester these teams are hard at work on a combination of established commitments and exiting new projects aimed at creating positive change.
Our Real Food Challenge Team just formed an official Working Group to continue to work with Campus Dining to push our food purchases in a more environmentally and socially responsible direction. Our Good Food Collective team is mapping out ways to get excess food to populations in need. Our Local Food Security Team is planning some amazing workshops and continuing to be wonderful stewards of our campus growing spaces.
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Our Energy Impact team just submitted over 150 student signatures to push our new Whalen Gym expansion to be more energy efficient. Our Zero Waste Team is taking on an ambitious project to finally improve recycling in the residence halls. Our Outreach team is working on making connections between the FLC students at large and all the amazing opportunities on campus and in our community.
And that's just a snapshot of what we're up to. We have a ton of new projects that are just about to launch, so stay tuned for more ways to connect with the work we're doing!
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Hey! Did you know you can raise money for the EC by doing your normal grocery shopping? It's true!
Available for anyone with a City Market Rewards Card
- Go to http://www.citymarketcommunityrewards.com and login (or create an account if you haven’t already).
- Once logged in go to the “Community Rewards” section under My Account
- Enroll in supporting the Fort Lewis College Environmental center (organization AJ646)
- Shop at City Market, use your standard rewards ID, and a the EC will receive a donation from City Market at no charge to you!
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Another Semester, Another Volunteer Force! Join Us!
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The EC is proud to connect passionate Fort Lewis College students to work that fulfills them and makes a difference on campus and in our community.
Are you a student interested in putting in some time for a good cause? Be sure to come by the EC - Student Union room 145 at the start of Spring Semester and ask how to join our work!
Are you a community organization looking for passionate students to help on a project? Email Marty at
mlpool@fortlewis.edu to learn how to connect with us!
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Community Events and Opportunities
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Local & Fort Lewis College
Events and Happenings in our Local Community and at FLC
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An Evening of Amazing Environmental Films to Support a Good Cause!
The Durango Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) is hosting a
Wild & Scenic Film Festival! This event will inspire activism and inspire your senses with beautiful, non gloom and doom uplifting films. The event will also raise funds to send two Fort Lewis College students to the annual CCL conference and lobby day in June 2019.
When: February 17th, doors 3:30, film event 4:00 pm
Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave
Cost: $15.00 general admission / $7.00 students with ID
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Would Time-of-Use Billing Make More Sense for You?
LPEA, our local electric cooperative, offers an alternative way to pay that may save you a big chunk of money in the long run!
Peak electricity consumption occurs for a few hours in the morning and evening. If you typically use electricity during the off-peak times listed below, call LPEA to see if it'd make sense for you to switch!
- Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.
- All day Sunday
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Get $2,000 to Make Your Sustainability Dream a Reality!
FLC's Campus Sustainability Council presents the annual
call for proposals of the Sustainability Initiative Grant (the SIG). Students, staff, and faculty can receive up to $2,000 to fund their sustainability ideas for FLC!
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The Payroll Department and Community Foundation of SW Colorado have a $12,000 Grant Opportunity
The Payroll Department strategically designates its nonprofit giving in La Plata County with its 12.4.2 grants: two grants of $12,000 for two La Plata County organizations that support efforts in the areas of Youth, Environment, or Human Services.
The application deadline is February 22.
The Payroll Department is especially interested in supporting programs or collaborations that further the nonprofit’s mission and may need a boost while the organization secures sustainable funding.
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Join CCL for their "Political Will for a Livable World" talk
Come on down for an interesting talk on climate change. CCL will have a presentation covering cause, effect, and solution for climate change. CCL is a non-partisan lobby for a solution to climate change based on a Fee and Dividend model. This model for environmental protection is innovative, unique and has strong bi-partisan support. This presentation will contain perspectives and ideas that you are probably unfamiliar with, regardless of your political persuasion.
When: January 24, 7:00 pm
Where: Durango Public Library
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Register for the Old Fort Market Garden Education Course
The Old Fort is making its Market Garden Education Series available to specialty crop producers who wish to take one, two, three or all eleven classes. The classes begin on January 28th and continue through April 22nd at the LaPlata County Fairgrounds on Monday evenings from 6 until 8:30 pm.
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Come on down to the first of Green Drinks of the 2019!
Green Drinks is a monthly get together that's all about creating a well-connected community around all things environmental and "green". This month is a round-robin where we'll hear quickly from all 2019 host groups.
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Opportunities
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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The Garden Project is Hiring for AmeriCorps Positions
Interested in working at The Garden Project as an Americorps School Garden Educator? Teach in schools across La Plata County, work in local food systems, and grow produce with this opportunity. Partial Year Term is April 2019-July 2019. Full year terms start August 2019 - July 2020.
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Mountain Studies Institute is Hiring a VISTA Position
MSI is searching for a talented, motivated, and self-directed individual to grow our mountain education and outreach programs as an Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation (OSMRE) Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA). The VISTA position will be located in Silverton, Colorado in the heart of the San Juan Mountains and the position has a start date of March 18.
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MSI and SCC are Now Accepting FC-FLIP Applications
FC-FLIP Connects regional college students and recent graduates with resource managers to gain the knowledge and skills – hands-on – of what it means to work with or for a federal agency. This rigorous, paid, 11-week career-building internship program offers an outstanding opportunity to learn from professionals in the field, build skills, and gain networking contacts - all while living in a beautiful place.
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Uplift is Hiring an Organizing Fellow
Join the Uplift movement for climate justice. Uplift is looking for young leaders on the Colorado Plateau to take Uplift to new heights in 2019! The 2019 Uplift organizing fellowship will support young changemakers to grow their grassroots organizing skills and make an impact on the southwest regional climate justice movement. Fellows will be awarded a $1200 stipend for a seven month period of organizing.
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Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is Hiring a Program Manager!
This position is a fantastic mix of outdoor leadership, inter-agency communication, trail days, and collaboration. You'll spend most of your summer days out on our beautiful trails while also working with land management agencies and partners. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the outdoor stewardship community in a meaningful and powerful way. The Program Manager will will oversee RFOV's field based volunteer trail and restoration projects as well as outreach to project partners and project related fundraising.
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Farm Runners is Looking for New Employees
Farm Runners is currently looking to make a few additions to our team based out of Hotchkiss, CO and are looking for team members to be located within the North Fork Valley. Positions start May/June with commitment through at least October. Applicants should have Interest in local foods, intuition, and positive communication skills. Positions include Local Food Sales and Distribution Driver, Retail Store Staff/Manager, and Pack House Administrative Professional.
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Internship at Tierra Vida Farm
Tierra Vida Farm is a regenerative diversified vegetable farm in Durango, Colorado. The intern will learn the ins and outs of how regenerative agriculture works on a small-scale diversified vegetable operation in an arid climate. Intern will participate in multiple aspects of the farm including: seeding, transplanting, greenhouse management, harvesting, bed renovation, rotational grazing, washing, and packing. The internship goes from July through December (full-time July-October; part-time November-December). $11.10 per hour plus housing and vegetables.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Hana Fullmer at
hana@tierravidafarm.com
no later than February 5th!
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Regional & Beyond
Further Resources and Opportunities
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Check back next time for more regional opportunities. Have something for us? Email it to Marty at
mlpool@fortlewis.edu.
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC!
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