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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There's a kind of scene common to super hero movies where a team of under-powered heroes takes on some kind of super powerful enemy. There's no way that one hero could be up to the challenge alone, but as a team they have a chance. Throughout the scene, hero after hero gets knocked back only to be replaced with another hero that is ready to step up. Eventually, after rounds of tagging-in to keep up the fight, the heroes are triumphant. As cheesy and cliche as scenes like this are, it's easy to understand why they are such a crowd-pleaser. We've all been faced with something that felt too big to tackle alone, and the feeling of someone having your back, someone to step up when you've been knocked back, is one of the best feelings there is.
These past few weeks heading towards the end of the semester have felt incredibly busy at the EC and at FLC. Beyond campus, there is a lot going on in the world of environmental activism and advocacy. It's an amount of work that could easily be overwhelming. But it's been so wonderful to see how students, colleagues, and community members rally to support each other during challenging times. Whether the "enemy" is a daunting end-of-year project, or entire systems that threaten our health and environment, people band together to take on something that they couldn't do alone. So when you're feeling energized, step up, and when you're feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. We're all in this scene together.
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Marty Pool
Environmental Center Coordinator
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference!
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Story Telling Workshop with the Real Food Challenge
The Real Food Challenge will be hosting a two day story telling workshop, sharing food stories to bring awareness to the FLC community and their perspective of the food system. The intention is to bring awareness of the social injustices within our food system while building relationships through storytelling with students, faculty/staff, and dining.
When:
Thursday, April 11, 1:00-2:30 PM
Where:
FLC Education Business Hall (EBH) room 240
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Help the Energy Impact Team Push for Renewable Energy
The EC's Energy Impact team is working to help make sure that the leaders in control of our electric grid are ones that care about clean energy. If you're passionate about climate change or renewable energy, be sure to connect with the team to see how you can help with the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) board of director elections!
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"Move Out" Donate Items You Don't Want + Volunteer
The Environmental Center aims to achieve a closed loop system and keep things out of landfill. We will be collecting lightly used items that are still in good condition, which will be offered right back to students at our free store next year! Be sure to donate your goods when you move out of the residence halls!
When & Where:
Stations will be open and accepting goods Wednesday (4/24), Thursday (4/25), and Friday (4/26) by the large dumpsters near the residence halls.
We also need volunteers
to ensure that only useful items are going into the bin. Plus, you get first dibs on great stuff being donated! Email EC Coordinator Marty at
mlpool@fortlewis.edu
for more information and to sign-up!
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De-stress in our Garden!
Smells of fresh spring dirt is in the air, must be that time of the year; it's time for some Garden Work Days with the Fort! Come join us as we play, produce, and practice our gardening skills.
When: Wednesday 4/17 and Thursday 4/18 from 12 PM to 2 PM
Where: Environmental Center Garden (North-East Side of Campus) or come to the EC ( Student Union 145)
and we will direct you where to find everyone
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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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Help Keep Grub Hub Active!
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The Grub Hub at Fort Lewis College is looking for a new Director and volunteers for 2019-2020 school year! This student-run, on-campus food pantry serves hundreds of students a month through weekly free food pantries and hot lunches. You'll get to work with local businesses, regional food pantries, and, starting this upcoming year, will be distributing fresh produce from local, Colorado Proud farmers to your peers! If you have a passion for taking the stigma out of food insecurity, and building a community through food, this is the opportunity for you!
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Camp, Get Dirty, and Care For the Places You Love!
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Give back to the lands you love and join the San Juan Mountains Association for a 3 day restoration project along the Dolores River! The crew will camp at Bradfield Bridge and plant native trees and shrubs in a former agricultural area to help restore the area to its natural beauty. Join SJMA for this fun resume builder for FLC students!
The trip includes dinners and snacks as well as free use of camping equipment.
When: April 29 to May 1
Cost: Free!
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LPEA Elections are Open!
Did you vote yet?! The LPEA Board we elect this month will steer us through this shifting energy industry. This year’s election is critical. If you pay an electric bill to LPEA you should have received a ballot in the mail. Ballots must be received by LPEA by May 1, so bee sure to mail yours back by April 24 or drop it off in person at the locations listed on the ballot to make sure it gets counted!
Want to hear more from the candidates?
Local First is hosting an Elections Forum to discuss the principles of a rural electric co-op, electric rates, and renewable energy!
When: Tuesday, April 16 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM
Where: La Plata County Fairgrounds
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Register your Fruit Trees for Gleaning
By listing your backyard apple tree for harvest or by heading out to gather those apricots from your neighbor’s yard, you are doing a huge favor to our community. For one, you are helping to strengthen our regional food security (i.e. our ability to feed ourselves) and keeping our bears wild and safe from harm.
Or Call the GFC directly: (970)403-5347
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Grow Some Extra Garden Produce to Donate
The Good Food Collective is hosting a
Fresh Food Connect program, that strives to reduce food insecurity by collecting your produce and redistributing them to local food pantries. Grow an extra row this year and donate to the Good Food Collective.
Or Call the GFC directly: (970)403-5347
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Two FLC Students Selected to go to D.C. with CCL
Amber Barbella and Siarrah Gomez-Boyiddle have been selected to attend the Citizens Climate Lobby Conference in Washington, D.C. where they will lobby members in Congress. This all expenses paid experience is presented by Citizens Climate Lobby, with the support of the local community and anyone who attended the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Amber and Siarrah are exploding with gratitude and excited to take action solving climate change!
To get involved or learn more about CCL visit their
website
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Get one dollar taken off in fines for every one item you bring to Reed library. Plus everything gets donated to Grub Hub and goes right back to students!
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Old Fort Farm Stand is Accepting SNAP
Starting in April we will be able to accept SNAP benefits at the Farm Stand. We have been working on this goal for a few years and are very excited to bring SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks ( fruits and vegetables only) to the Old Fort Farm Stand.
For those of you that want to order grass fed beef or local pork fill out the meat price order form and put the number of packages that
you would like in the left column.
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When:
Wednesday at 1 PM
Where:
Student Union
Contact:
The Old Fort's FB
Page
for more information
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Durango's Earth Day Festival
The City of Durango, Citizens Climate Lobby, Climate Love Project, and Indivisible's Environmental Committee have teamed up with Durango Nature Studies for an Earth Day celebration! Kicking off with a litter clean-up along the Animas River Trail at 12:00pm. There will be "plogging", live music, kayak races, speakers, craft booths, and an encouraged parade from Rotary Park to the library at 3:30 to demonstrate our love for the planet.
When: Sunday, April 21, 2019 at 12 PM – 4 PM
Where: Rotary Park (1565 E 2nd Ave)
Cost: Free!
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Trails and Ales Earth Day Party
Join Trails 2000 on Earth Day for an annual Trails and Ales Party on Monday, April 22, at Carver Brewing Company. All outdoor enthusiasts are invited to come kick off the trail season with a chance to mix and mingle, learn more about how to get involved with Trails 2000, and give back to the trails in and around Durango. The event will feature live music from Space Between Shadows, a delicious spread of chili and salad, and a beer, glass of wine or root beer from Carvers to anyone who joins, renews or gives to Trails 2000.
When: Monday, April 22, 2019 at 4 PM – 7 PM
Where: Carver Brewing Company
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Voices From Bears Ears
Rebecca Robinson is a journalist. Stephen Strom, a photographer. The dynamic grandfather-granddaughter duo will present their process and read from their book, "Voices from Bears Ears: Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land." Through the stories of 20 individuals, and informed by interviews with more than 70 people, Voices from Bears Ears captures the passions of those who fought to protect Bears Ears and those who opposed the monument as a federal “land grab” that threatened to rob them of their economic future.
When: Wednesday, April 24 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Where: Pine Needle Dry Goods (858 Main Ave #101)
Cost: Free!
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Inspire Change at 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 the last Thursday of every month at Carver Brewing.
This month's hosts are Turtle Lake Refuge and the Sherpa Sustainability Institute
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is Hiring
Mountain Studies Institute is a research and education center focused on developing science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains. They have a range of opportunities available from full-time positions to paid summer internships.
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The Post Action Network (PLAN) is Hiring
The PLAN team is excited to announce this job opening! They are seeking an experienced organizer to serve as the The Break Free From Plastic Campus Campaign Director. This individual will build and activate a national campaign to divest college and university campuses from single-use disposable plastics by securing commitments to the Break Free From Plastic Campus Pledge.
More information can be found at the
PLAN Website.
Applications due by April 24.
Submit your application
here
!
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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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Conservation Colorado Hiring a Field Organizer
Conservation Colorado is seeking a Field Organizer based in Durango, Colorado who will work primarily on public lands, climate, and water issues, building a cohort of activists and local leaders who engage with key decision makers, influence policy and advocate for conservation practices.
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Impact Organizer Positions Available!
Real change only happens when people are organized to take action. That’s what Impact organizers do. The theory behind our work is simple: Winning and sustaining positive social change requires a solid foundation of public and political support. Impact campaign organizers build strong, enduring networks of support that help win positive change for our health and environment now, and provide the power to win more change in the future.
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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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Further Resources and Opportunities
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Check back next time for more happenings and opportunities beyond FLC and Durango. If you know of any, you can always
email them to us!
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC!
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