Everyone is so hyper focused on the Presidential debate, daily updates on the coronavirus, and worry over the trajectory of wildfires. And don't get me wrong, those things are all extremely consequential. But I can't think about them every minute of every day. I find it helpful to look for reminders that the is still progress being made when it comes to combatting global environmental issues.

I found some interesting and potentially even uplifting news (what a relief these days) from the BBC’s Science and Environment section. The Norwegian government is now funding an orbital effort to increase the clarity of the view of our own planet from space. This new satellite array can clearly see features on the Earth’s surface less than 4m across, allowing scientists to track in real time the deforestation of over 60 countries. "There are many parts of the world where high-resolution images simply aren't available, or where they are available - the NGOs, communities, and academia in those countries can't afford them because they're quite expensive,” Sveinung Rotevatn, the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment (doesn’t that sound like an office we should have here?) told the BBC. “So, we’ve decided to foot the bill for the world, basically.”

The goal of the project is to provide real-time, real-world information that can be used in a positive way by any organization seeking to track and combat legal or illegal deforestation, rather than simply “counting lost trees at the end of the year,” as Planet CEO (one of the companies involved in the project) Will Marshall said to the BBC. Hopefully, this project and its data can be a major weapon in the struggle we all face against unsustainable deforestation and climate change in general, and we can all thank the Norwegian government for heading the charge."

This story resonates with me because amidst everything going on, it's a nice reminder that we all share this planet, and that a group of people from one corner of the world can help others fight for solutions in another. Read more about it here!

Community Cleanup at Horse Gulch! Did you know a human makes a total of 4.48 pounds of waste per day? Let's make sure none of this gets left on our beloved trails! Join Ellis and Nova for this community clean-up and feel good about keeping our trails clean and green.

When: Saturday, October 24 from 1-5 PM

Where: Meet at Horse Gulch trailhead anytime during the event window (the earlier the better!

For more information email Ellis at ecmcnichol@fortlewis.edu or

Nova at nurobbinswaldstein@fortlewis.edu

Students now have the option to obtain a green reusable to-go container in the dining hall! Simply get a “Choose to Reuse” ticket from the register at the front door of San Juan Dining by putting down a $5 deposit. The $5 is a deposit that you can retrieve back at any time! Bring your container back (dirty is fine, we have a magnificent dish machine) and get another ticket to use at your next meal.

P.S. Another way to reduce trash is if you plan to eat in the dining room (after showing your green health pass), you can reduce trash by making sure that our food acquisition assistants know that you plan to eat in and serve your food on reusable dishes – it’s so much more fun to eat with real cutlery! 

We still have a little more work to do getting our spaces ready for winter! Get your hands dirty, learn about cover crop planting, pruning, soil sampling, and compost application.

Garden Days: Thursdays 1-2 PM in the EC Campus Garden

Food Forest Fridays: Fridays 12-2 PM in the Food Forest Orchard - located just north of Pine Hall)

Check out the campus map to find the spaces!

Elections choose our representatives and set the laws that govern our communities. Voting is your chance to have a voice in the future of our country!

Visit the Colorado Secretary of State website for all the information you need on how to register and how to vote. They also have an entire page dedicated to voting in college!

Not voting in Colorado? Search for the Secretary of State for your home state to find the information you need! They are a trusted, neutral source of correct information on voting.

It's that time of year again! The Drop-off provides residents with a sustainable option instead of leaving holiday gourds to rot on the doorstep or throwing them in the trash. Residents can drop off pumpkins, apples and other fruits for donation to local to farmers and ranchers to use as animal feed. Leaves will also be collected for composting.

When: Sunday, Nov. 1 from 11 AM to 5 PM; & Monday, Nov. 2 from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Where: Durango - La Plata County Fairgrounds* (2500 Main Ave., Durango)

Bayfield - Pine River Shares (658 S. East St., Bayfield). 

*Please drive round to the dirt lot on the East side of the Fairgounds complex.

For more information, visit the City of Durango event web page.

This year's forum will be virtual and the theme is: Coming to Terms with Limits and Uncertainty. Join leaders in the world of western water: Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Upper and Lower Basin State and Tribal Leaders, and others from around our region.

When: Wednesday & Thursday, November 4-5

Where: Online!

 

For more information, read the event program, and register here.

Conservation Colorado is a statewide non-profit that uses community-engaged activism to push the needle forward on issues from public lands protection, water conservation, to climate action. La Plata Open Space Conservancy is Durango’s local land trust which fills a fascinating niche in conserving your southwest Colorado way of life.

Click here to register or find more information at the Green Drinks Facebook event page.

Table to farm compost is hiring for a Compost Route Driver. Daily curbside pick-ups of residential and commercial customers in Durango, Colorado and La Plata County.

To Apply: Send cover letter, two references, and a resume to info@tabletofarmcompost.com 

The San Juan College Harvest Food Hub is hiring a full-time kitchen manager position to help establish their commercial incubator kitchen! This position is responsible for overseeing operations of the kitchen of the Harvest Food Hub and Enterprise Center as well as developing guidelines, curriculum and ensuring best practices are followed.

For more information and to apply, visit the San Juan College website

Hey there campus and community organizations! We pride the EC Digest in being an excellent resource for students and community members looking for jobs, internships, and other opportunities in this field. We believe in the power of strong social networks to share this important information.

Know of an opportunity? Be sure to email it to the EC Coordinator, Marty Pool at mlpool@fortlewis.edu

The mission of Western Colorado Alliance they believe that now, today, people can build a future where engaged local voices are leading communities across Western Colorado that are healthy, just, and self-reliant. Their organizers provide our members with leadership and skills training, then support them as they identify issue campaigns with clear goals, plan strategies and deliver on those plans. In this way, they seek to make positive change, strengthen democracy and develop leaders who will become the decision-makers of the future.