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 thought-provoking opening thoughts from EC students and staff. Enjoy!
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Fort Lewis was recently privileged with a visit from Tom Goldtooth,
a
Native American
environmental, climate, and economic justice activist. His perception on how we should address climate change was ecocentric and efficacious. He believes that areas of nature should have legal rights for protection, just like a person. For example, a body of water has the right to a healthy, happy, and clean life. The intention for giving a body of water, a mountain, or other natural resource, rights is to be able to protect it. If someone were to hurt or contaminate the natural resource, community members would have standing to bring legal charges against the polluter.
On February 26th, lake Erie in Toledo Ohio was granted the same rights as a person. This bill was the first of it's kind. Having the ability to charge polluters has pros and cons. People that are against this bill of rights are worried about the cost of a lawsuit for farmers and businesses, they also say it could come at the expense of jobs. It makes me think, should these jobs be around if they are wounding natural resources? Their concerns are understandable, but I believe any action we take to keep cleaner natural resources is a step in the right direction. We need to keep taking steps.
I think that granting lake Erie the same rights as a person was an unusual, but positive step in the right direction. If this bill of rights were on elections for the Animas River, would you support it? Something to think about!
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Siarrah R Gomez-Boyiddle
EC Media & Communications Manager
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Check Out All the Great Stuff We've Got For You!
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Local Food Film Series
This Monday will be the last showing from the
weekly film series hosted by The Local Food Security team. They will be showing the award winning film
Conservation Generation
alongside a panel discussion with local farmers. Have your eyes opened and take part in lively discussions about some of the most pressing issues of our time!
Panelists include:
- Mike Nolan and Mindy Perkovitch, Mountain Roots Produce
- Dustin Stein, Stubborn Farm and Burke Beef and EC Alum
- Staff from Old Fort at Hesperus
- Max Fields, Fields to Plate
- Kathy Hilimire, FLC Environmental Studies and Food Systems Professor
- Duke Jackson, farmer and EC Alum
When:
Monday April 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Where:
FLC Noble Hall room 130
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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. Folks will learn how to story tell and find their personal connection to food.
When:
Tuesday, April 9, 4:00-5:30 PM and Thursday, April 11, 1:00-2:30 PM
Where:
FLC Education Business Hall (EBH) room 240 both days!
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Spend Some Time Making a Difference
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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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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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Get Some Fresh Air and Sunshine in the Food Forest
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Come help us prune our fruit trees! Learn a new skill while getting some fresh are and moving your muscles! Sun protection, gardening gloves and a water bottle recommend (but not required).
When: Friday, March 29, 1:00-3:00 PM
Where: EC Food Forest Orchard at the corner of Rim Dr. and Skyhawk Ave. right next to Pine Hall
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Trail Crew Leader Training with Trails 2000
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Make sure to apply by April 5th!
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This exciting training program introduces trail crew leadership and the fundamentals of successful volunteer crew management. Open to all levels of trail experience, attendees will learn construction and maintenance of sustainable trails, leadership strategies and techniques, tool use, and safety. Upon competition, interested and qualified crew leaders may be hired to assist on trailwork projects for the upcoming season.
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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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Join SJCA to Power Up the LPEA Elections!
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Spring has sprung, which means it's time once again time for La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors elections. San Juan Citizen's Alliance has a chance for you to learn more about how candidates plan to support clean energy, and what the other ballot issues are all about. They'll also be sharing about what's been going on at LPEA. You'll also learn how you can get involved to help push our local electric co-op toward a cleaner future!
When: Friday, April 5 from 5:00-8:00 PM
Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
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Old Fort Farm Stand is Back
With great news, 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:
Wed. April 3rd 1 PM
Where:
Student Union
Contact:
The Old Fort's FB
Page
for more information
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Learn to Graft with MORP at the Old Fort
Join us for this hands-on workshop and take home four heritage apple trees grafted by you. Meet us in the historic library at the Old Fort at Hesperus on Saturday, April 6 from 10am to noon.
When: Saturday, April 6th (10 AM - 12 PM)
Where: 11274 State Hwy. 140
Hesperus, CO 81326
Cost: $35 for current MORP members; $45 non-members.
(Cost includes three heritage apple trees)
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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 4CORE and the Sustainability Alliance of SW CO (SASCO)
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SWCD Annual Water Seminar
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Since 1981, the Southwestern Water Conservation District has coordinated the Annual Water Seminar to bring together individuals who are passionate about water resources to hear expert speakers from around the state and region. Mark your calendars for this year's event!
When:
Friday April 5th
Where:
Doubletree Hotel (501 Camino del Rio)
Cost:
$45 in advance, $50 at the door
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Mountain Studies Institute 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 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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