When turning to the final page in one of many storybooks on my "life shelf," I always tend to reminisce. Maybe it's because I finally feel a sense of ultimate completion, or maybe because everyone talks about how "great of a semester it was!" or maybe it's just because, practically, I'm always packing up at this time of the year. Anyway, this ebb and flow of life always reminds me how healthy reflection can be for processing the very good, the not so great, and what's to come.

So, here's what this year's final storybook page looks like for me this year as the EC's Media & Communication Manager, a full-time student, and a recent Colorado transplant.

A year ago, I think about the fact that I was very unsettled. I was leaving Missouri, my home state, to move to the mountains permanently. I think about when I first stepped on the Fort Lewis College campus. It was practically dead with a lack of people in the summer, but I still felt so genuinely welcomed and alive in this place. I think about how the EC pulled me into their family and created such a unique, genuine community for me in my exciting, but scary, new home - a community I hadn't experienced before. I think about how when the semester got hard, really hard, Durango and its people were still, unmistakably, home. I think about the many inspiring people I was privileged to work with this semester - students who care, equally passionate staff who we lovingly referred to as Mom and Dad, community partners who drew me into network after network . . . simply incredible.

So, as this storybook closes and a new one begins, as projects small and large wrap up and I load up the car, I know deep, deep in my heart that this is a very special place. When I come next year for my final round of higher education chaos, I hope to be part of the next transplant's scary move. Because, again, if I've learned anything here, it's that community is all we have. And that's a very good thing.

Sincerely,


Anna Thorne

Environmental Center Media & Communication Manager & Full-Time FLC Student

Save on energy, save on money, save the climate! The EC's Energy Impact team has partnered with 4CORE to bring renter efficiency kits to FLC student renters. Kits are FREE and include easy items like lightbulbs and water saving fixtures.

Interested FLC student off-campus renters (or soon-to be off campus renters) please  email mlpool@fortlewis.edu to request your kit!

When:  Thurs, May 17, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Where: Ska Brewing, 255 Girard St.

Cost: Free!

What do you value about living and working in Durango? The City of Durango is facing difficult budgetary constraints and needs input from citizens like you to help guide critical decisions regarding the limited resources we have to work with.

Make sure your priorities, values and vision are part of the conversation by joining the City at a Community Forum on May 17th.

The fourth forum will take place at Carver Brewing from 5-7 pm on Monday, June 25.

For more information, visit DurangoGov.org/Engage

Provocative Social Responsibility Conversations

CLIMATE TAKE BACK! If we changed the climate by mistake, we can change it back with  intent. Be a part of history, when one of the most sustainable companies on the planet  comes to town! This is an amazing opportunity to learn from Billy Ingram, Director of  Lean Product Development at Interface.

The SR Salon is launching right here in Durango, with Billy keynoting at the US Space & Rocket Center the following week; it all starts here!

When: Thursday, May 3 from 3:15 - 6:30 pm
Where: Strater Theatre

For more information visit srsalon.Eventbrite.com

We're pretty proud of our newsletter, but the Water Information Program (WIP) should really be your go-to source for all things water in Southwest Colorado. There's always great information, but it's especially helpful during dry times like these!

Check them out and sign up for their newsletter at:  https://www.waterinfo.org/

The specialist will conduct field, lab, and office work to restore, maintain and protect the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the Tribes surface and groundwater resources.

Learn about sustainable farming at high elevations! Fulfill your internship hours by joining the Old Fort team for 3 months of growing vegetables.

Download an application: Old Fort Internship Application 2018

Gap Semesters in the American West and Patagonia, providing an uninterrupted journey of self-discovery, growth, and adventure through some of the world's wildest places.

For more information and to apply: https://www.hminet.org/about-hmi-gap-programs/

Conservation Colorado is seeking a full-time Field Organizer to assist with organizing on the Western Slope. As a field organizer you'll be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the public and partner groups to achieve conservation wins in Colorado on issues including protections for public lands and rivers, bolstering the renewable energy economy, and addressing climate change.

For more information and to apply, go to:  https://conservationco.org/contact/jobs/

Student volunteers who are passionate about food systems, local economies, anti-hunger initiatives, and/or agriculture in our state are needed to survey about the health and economic impact of the Double Up Colorado program on both SNAP shoppers and local farmers.

For more information or to apply please contact Amy Nelms at: amynelms@livewellcolorado.org

Based in Boulder, CO, Protect Our Winters ("POW") is a nonprofit organization that engages and mobilizes the outdoor sports community to lead the fight against climate change through educational initiatives and advocacy.

The Development and Operations Associate will report to the Manager of Development and Operations to support POW's fundraising efforts and related operations procedures.

For more information and to apply visit: https://protectourwinters.org/pow-is-hiring/

LiveWell Colorado increases access to healthy eating and active living by removing barriers that inequitably and disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color.

They also maintain a wonderful job board for food, health, and social justice through their network of partner organizations. If you're interested for positions in these field, be sure to bookmark this one! https://livewellcolorado.org/about/employment-careers/