Hello and 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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Feeling Fulfilled by Giving Back
Often times when we're presented with news on our environment, it's pretty negative. The resulting eco-anxiety can make it hard to keep up hope when it comes to the future of our planet, and it's certainly something that I've struggled with in the past.
Last weekend, the Environmental Center recently had our Fall Retreat which coincides with National Public Lands Day every year. This year we carpooled to Silverton in order to restore an alpine wetland for our service project. These wetlands fill a number of essential environmental roles, but unfortunately many have been damaged. We were led by a former FLC student, Jeremy May, who works as the Education Coordinator of the Mountain Studies Institute (MSI). In just a few hours, we planted over 80 sapling trees, laid out biodegradable ground mesh to prevent erosion, and collected seeds from various alpine grasses to replant in the area. This has been an ongoing project for the MSI, and Jeremy informed us that only 8 years ago, this lush, thriving wetland was akin to the surface of Mars. That's a lot of progress!
It was truly an inspiring experience, and goes to show that when we unify, we can meaningfully contribute to a better future.
Val Johnson
Environmental Center Student Media and 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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A Murder of Birders: join us on a birding hike!
Murder (/'mərdər/): a flock of crows
Connect to the world around you by observing the fall bird migration! Learn to use bird ID apps and other ways to get crackin' in the birding community. Meet at the EC at 6 PM on Friday, October 1 to carpool to the site, or meet the gaggle at Oxbow Preserve at 6:30 PM. No birding experience necessary, a great chance to learn more about this great hobby!
When: Friday, Oct. 1 starting at 6:30 PM
Where: Meet at Oxbow Park and Preserve
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Sign-Up for the E-Bike Loan Program! (**CORRECTION**)
Having trouble getting around town and to campus? No access to a car? Tired of biking up the front hill every day? The Environmental Center and Campus Sustainability Committee have just the thing you need! Our new e-bike loan program is designed to help FLC students with transportation needs. Just fill out this sign-up form to get more information and get connected to this program.
**There was an unexpected error with an earlier version of the form. So even if you’ve already filled out the form before, you should do it again to be sure we’ve got your submission**
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9th Annual Sustainability Summit
Stronger Care Together
As you probably know, the Sustainability Summit has become one of the highlight annual environmental and sustainability events at Fort Lewis College. It is a chance for students and community members to connect, be inspired, and learn about what is happening at FLC and in our broader region when it comes to sustainability issues and progress. If you care about our planet and want to know how you can get involved to do more, this is the place to be! Oh, and did we mention free food from awesome local businesses?
When: Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 5 - 7 PM
Where: FLC Amphitheater
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The Free Store is Looking for Donations!
The Free Store has been a huge hit this year with hundreds of visitors so far! Don't forget that the Free Store runs off generous donations from FLC students, staff, faculty and community members. If you have clothing, school supplies, housewares or other gently used items to donate, please bring them by the Environmental Center office (Student Union room 145) anytime between 9 AM and 5 PM.
A then swing by the Free Store to browse more items. Wednesdays 12 Noon - 2 PM in the Student Union lobby lounge.
If you have a larger donation that you would like to coordinate, please contact Bianca, Free Store Manager at baprather@fortlewis.edu.
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EC Mural Update
We're updating the EC window mural and we want to hear from you about what should be featured on the mural. This is a great chance to raise awareness about an environmental issue you care about!
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Our Growing Spaces are Still Welcoming Volunteers!
Join us to help out in our campus growing spaces throughout the fall. Learn about growing your own food, meet great people, and help support these awesome programs!
Campus Garden Thursdays
1 - 2 PM, Located at the north end of the Center of Southwest Studies Lot.
Food Forest Fridays
3:30 - 5 PM, Located just north of Pine Hall.
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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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Apple Days 2021 is Happening All Week October 2 - 9!
Join The Good Food Collective for this wonderful community tradition! Bring your friends, your family, and your picking pants, and let's head out to area orchards to bring in this year's apple harvest all week October 2 through 8. Each session, we will use a combination of shaking, climbing, and poles to harvest the apple abundance in our region. No experience or equipment necessary!
We will turn the apples into fresh-pressed apple cider on Saturday, October 9 from 9 AM - 12 PM, at the 13th Annual Apple Days Festival! Free and Open to all!
For more information, email Hallie Venaglia, The Good Food Collective's Apple Days Volunteer Coordinator, or visit their website! |
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Support Your Local Food Co-Op at Harvest Fest & Feast
Durango Natural Foods (DNF) is hosting this great event featuring great food, live music, and of course local brews. Come out and celebrate with your community!
When: Sunday, Oct. 3 from 4 - 9 PM
Where: Rotary Park, Durango
Cost: $15/ Dinner Plate
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Plug Into a Great Opportunity with 4CORE
The 10th Annual Solar & Net Zero Home Tour is on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 AM - 5 PM. Tour innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable homes around Durango. Want even more? Stay for the Sunset Soirée and music, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres on the stunning patio of this energy-efficient home. 5 - 7 PM. Tickets $12 for the tour $30 to also join the soirée.
For more information and to get your ticket, visit the 4CORE website.
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Green Drinks is Back In Person!
Your favorite sustainability happy hour, Durango Green Drinks, is happy to be the place where you can come together and meet other folks who care about the same things you do! Hosts this month are the Good Food Collective and La Plata Open Space Conservancy.
When: Thursday September 30, from 5 - 7PM
Where: 11st Street Station!
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
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International Water and Health Symposium
Rotary International’s WASH area of focus (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Coming up on October 16 is the 2021 Rotary District 5450 WASH Symposium (Denver area Rotary clubs). Students can attend this event virtually for free. The best way to see the amazing scope of this event is to look at the Speakers’ Bios from around the world.
If you are a non-student interested in attending, but the $40 registration fee would be a hinderance, please reach out to Roger Pool of the Lakewood Rotary Club at rpool750@msn.com to get an access code that would allow you to attend for free. |
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Cooking Matters is Hiring an AmericCorps Program Coordinator
Cooking Matters is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. They are seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to work with Cooking Matters Partner, Cooking Matters Colorado, in Durango, CO. The AmeriCorps members will work with Cooking Matters Colorado staff to implement effective food skills education programming. Programming includes a variety of in-person and online lessons, in addition to other innovative delivery models and special projects.
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Be Sure to Share Opportunities with Us!
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 Marty Pool, EC Assistant Director, at mlpool@fortlewis.edu
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News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond |
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- "The Dene Tha’ First Nation is proposing an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area" in Alberta, Canada to protect a massive carbon-sink lake! Read about it here.
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC! |
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