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 and chances to get involved
- Community and campus events, initiatives, and opportunities
- Jobs, internships, workshops, and trainings
And of course, our thought-provoking opening thoughts from EC students and staff. Enjoy!
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Smells like Spring
The ice patch on my walkway just melted. The smell of freshly exposed dirt has been lingering in the air. It's the time of year that perks our Local Farmers up; the ground is begging to be tended to.
The last Friday of February was coined National CSA (Community Supported
Agriculture) Day, to promote this important time for farmers. The function of a CSA stays true to its name, community members can purchase a “crop share” during the winter and early spring, before the season begins. Then, throughout the growing season, members receive just-harvested produce weekly. This helps financially support farmers in advance for the upcoming growing season.
There are so many benefits that come with supporting a CSA. My personal favorite is being exposed to produce that I would not typically buy, and the fun of trying new things. Supporting CSA's not only helps local farmers and provides more nutrients to you, it helps the environment too! CSA's use less energy required to transport and refrigerate produce, and promote smaller farm operations that can manage soil health with nutrient cycling. It also keeps dollars in the local economy and going to smaller operations. The simple choice of how you use your dollar can have lasting effects for future generations. I hope you consider choosing a CSA this year!
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Siarrah Gomez-Boyiddle
EC Media & Communications Manager
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference!
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FLC Students - Grab a Coffee with Amazing Environmental Community Leaders
As part of Women's History Month, the Environmental Center invites students to come share a drink and learn from some incredible women leaders in our community. This is an amazing and unique opportunity to ask questions and think about your own path to becoming an environmental and sustainability leader. Free coffee, hot chocolate and Guayaki yerba mate!
- Weds, March 4th 12:15-1:15 PM
- Imogen Ainsworth, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Durango
- Laurie Dickson, Executive Director of 4CORE
- Weds, March 11th 12:15-1:15 PM
- Monique DiGiorgio, Executive Director of Local First
- Mary Monroe Brown, Executive Director of Trails 2000
- Tues, March 24th 1:00-2:00 PM
- Jessica Matlock, CEO of La Plata Electric Association
- Monique DiGiorgio, Executive Director of Local First
- Tues, March 25th 12:15-1:15 PM
- Stephanie Weber, Executive Director of Durango Nature Studies
- Laurie Dickson, Executive Director of 4CORE
Where: Environmental Center (Student Union room 145)
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John Rember Reading and Q&A for His Book:
A Hundred Little Pieces on the End of the World
Join the EC and Maria's Bookshop in welcoming John as he shares excerpts from his writing that looks climate change square in the face. John's book has been praised as "a brilliantly written, deeply thoughtful, and even humorous book about a very dark topic."
When: Tuesday, March 24 from 7-8:30 PM
Where: FLC Student Union
Cost: Free and open to all! (Books available for purchase at the event)
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In search of Free Store Donations!
Love our free store? We do too, and we want to provide more for you! Drop your gently used items off at the EC, tell your friends, tell your family! And we can keep the Free Store running abundantly.
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Community Events and Happenings
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What's Going On at FLC and in Our Local Community
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Purchase a CSA before National CSA Day!
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) can be thought about as a ''farm share''. A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Local consumers buy a share into the farm – they support this year’s crop with money up front for a membership, and in exchange, each week during the growing season, they will receive a box of local, fresh, and seasonal produce directly from the farm.
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Come Gather at the River!
Join the Four Corners Water Center and Rocky Mountain PBS for a beer & whiskey tasting event highlighting regional organizations working on statewide water issues. We are hoping that all members of our community feel welcome, regardless of background or personal views, to come together as friends tonight for a fun and social evening of learning, drinking, and conversation.
Trout Unlimited’s Five Rivers Chapter, and H2org, Fort Lewis College’s newly formed student organization focused on water, and Conservation Colorado will provide some education. Free tastings will be available from Carver Brewing Company, Steamworks Brewing Company, and Honeyhouse Distillery with additional drinks available for purchase. (Must be 21 for tasting and drink purchase)
When: Friday, Feb. 28 from 5-7:30 PM
Where: Powerhouse Science Center
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Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
This event features two nights of award-winning adventure, environmental, exploration, and mountain culture films from around the world. Each night will feature different films, so you’ll want to attend both nights! On top of great films, there are opportunities to win gear, gift cards, classes, and epic adventures in the raffle and silent auction.
Proceeds from this event benefit San Juan Citizens Alliance and Rocky Mountain Wild and are used to protect our public lands!
When: February 28th & 29th, Doors open at 6 PM showing at 7 PM
Where: Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College
Cost: $15 for one night, or $25 for two!
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Last Animas River Trail Pedestrian Bridge Meeting
In response to community interest for more discussion on the Animas River Trail pedestrian bridge crossing the Animas River, railroad tracks and 32nd Street, there will be a series of brief presentations by the Parks and Recreation Department design team with accurate information regarding the design of the bridge, and also the intricacies of climate change policy and the workings of government.
Last Meeting: February 27 at 5:00 pm - Community Meeting at the Recreation Center
Cost: Free!
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Old Fort Winter Workdays
It's time to start the seeds of the 2020 growing season at the Old Fort, and it's more fun to do it together. We're putting the call out monthly for high tunnel work days. You'll learn the basics of preparing beds, sowing seeds, setting up irrigation - whatever we're working on that day! And you can get your hands in the dirt and be around seedlings long before the snow melts.
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February Green Drinks
Green Drinks is a monthly get together that's all about creating a well-connected community around all things environmental and "green". It takes place from 5 to 6:45 PM on the last Thursday of every month at Carver Brewing Company.
This month's hosts are Great Old Broads for Wilderness and Rocky Mountain PBS!
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Grand Canyon Program Intern
Spend the summer learning from Native leaders, storytellers, and Grand Canyon experts to develop curricula and interpretive materials that reflect tribal knowledge and histories of the region. As the Grand Canyon Program intern, you will build relationships, deepen your knowledge of environmental justice, and hone your skills in education and community engagement
Applications due March 2, 2020
Please send a resume, a list of three references, and a statement of interest that conveys your passion and qualifications to Amber Benally at
abenally@grandcanyontrust.org
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North Rim Ranches Intern
Spend the summer working with Grand Canyon Trust staff and partners to research historical and current grazing management of North Rim Ranches — 830,000 acres of public lands on the north rim of the Grand Canyon where the Grand Canyon Trust and a ranching partner run a small herd of cattle.
Applications due March 2, 2020
Please send a resume, a list of three references, and a statement of interest that conveys your passion and qualifications to Amber Benally at
abenally@grandcanyontrust.org
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Reform Policy in Washington, DC with Citizens Climate Lobby
Two local college students will be selected to attend CCL’s conference and lobby week in Washington DC June 6-9, 2020. The Durango Chapter of CCL will cover transportation, lodging, and provide a stipend for meals. At the conference, students will learn more about CCL and the Energy Innovation and Carbon dividend Act, plus they will learn about CCL’s lobbying methods. They will also have the opportunity to join with other CCL members to
speak to several Members of Congress about The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act H.R. 763.
Applications due March 15, 2020
Applications and instructions can be downloaded
here
.
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Western Colorado Alliance is Hiring!
There are four open positions with Western Colorado Alliance as a Community Organizer or as a Membership Coordinator. Western Colorado believes in Community Action, help make change happen at a grassroots level.
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EC Alum, Duke Jackson, is Hiring for Sol Vista Farm
This is an awesome opportunity for anyone interested in getting some serious hands-on experience at a small farm. Duke worked in the EC's campus garden, consulted on our food forest orchard, and has honed his skills working at the Old Fort and Turtle Lake Refuge.
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Be a Ranger for San Juan Mountain Association
The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is hiring a crew of wilderness rangers to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to educate wilderness visitors on “leave no trace” practices, conduct trail work, and monitor wilderness characteristics throughout the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests.
Find out more details
here
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EPA Internships with Water Policy
A research opportunities in water policy and regulation currently is available in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water (OW), in the Immediate Office (IO) of the Assistant Administrator for Water.
Find out more details
here
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San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District is Hiring
This opening is for three technicians. Technicians will assist BLM Rangeland Management Specialists with resource specific monitoring within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office of Farmington, NM. Field work will include pre- and post-treatment monitoring for sagebrush thinning projects, as well as an opportunity to be involved with other assessments and project partners.
To apply, send cover letter and resume with contact information for 3 references to
For questions about the position contact Range Management Specialist Barbara Witmore at (505)490-2073 or
bwitmore@blm.gov
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The Haskell Environmental Research Studies (HERS) Institute Summer Internship
The HERS program is aimed at preparing American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian undergraduate students for graduate study by assisting them to create a research project related to climate and environmental change in Indigenous communities. Native students eligible to enroll in tribal colleges are encouraged to apply. During the HERS program, interns receive instruction and exposure to: GIS training, graduate-level writing curriculum, introductory environmental assessment, introduction to Indigenous methodologies, professional development training, and preparation for applying to graduate school. Interns research a self-selected topic related to climate and environmental change and its effects on Indigenous communities.
The internship includes a $4,000 stipend and additional financial support for housing, meals, travel and work equipment.
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MSI is Hiring for Several Internships and Jobs
Mountain Studies Institute is a growing research and education center focused on developing science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains. They value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results.
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News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond
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- Did you know that you can plant your loved one in an egg and turn them into a tree after death?
- After being pushed close to extinction, this humpback whale population is making a comeback
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC!
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