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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Millions of snowflakes falling on a small mountain town create a serene environment for a short amount of time. Then, the sun creeps out from behind the last of the storm, and the white-blanketed world turns to chaos as drivers take to the road! El Nino has created a world of hurt for those with two-wheel drive cars and no snow shovels. This much-needed snow will bring life to the valley in spring. However, this glorious white stuff can also wreak havoc on the world. It is times like these that bring Durango’s kind and helpful community to light.
Here in Durango, there is always a helping hand to get you out of a slippery situation. I have seen teams of people pulled over to help shovel out a stuck car, and I have been on a few rescue missions myself. Some people have even taken it upon themselves to offer rides around town to people who lack reliable transportation.
The roads are dangerous when it snows, so why not stay safe while cutting down on your fuel emissions and catch a ride to work? As a student, I like to take advantage of
Durango Transit
, which offers cheap and safe transportation all around Durango. Also, when the weather warms up and the icicles melt, check out the
Way to Go Club
for some incentives on green transportation.
Safe Travels!
Sydney Ruggles
,
Environmental Center Outreach Team
Environmental Studies Major
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Save the Date for the FLC Sustainability Summit!
Tuesday, March 19
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The Sustainability Summit is your chance to learn about how Fort Lewis College is making progress on our sustainability goals and how you can get involved to make our campus and community a better place!
Be sure to save the date!
When: Tuesday, March 19 from 4:30 - 7 PM
Where: FLC Student Union Ballroom
Cost: Free!
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It's Time to WAKE UP FLC!
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You wouldn't know it by the colorful packaging and fun names, but many of the companies behind breakfast cereals are responsible for huge negative environmental and social impacts. It's time to make sure we get our cereal from ethical sources. Get a chance to taste the cereal you vote for with the Vote Real Challenge in the Student Union.
Vote at our table in the Union, in the Environmental Center, or
online here
!
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Hey FLC, the EC can take your printer cartridges!
The college is moving toward a central print system to help save paper and reduce costs. But if you're still in charge of managing your office printer, be sure to bring your used ink/toner cartridges to the EC office in Student Union room 145. We can make sure they don't end up in the dump!
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Come get gently used clothing, jackets, home and kitchen items, decoration, and even a life size Darth Vader cut-out - all for FREE!
When: Every Thursday from 1-2:30pm
Where: Student Union lobby
Have a donation for us? Bring it to the store or drop it off at our office anytime during business hours. Remember: clean and usable items only, please!
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Another Semester, Another Volunteer Force! Join Us!
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Are you a student interested in putting in some time for a good cause? Be sure to come by the EC - Student Union room 145 and ask how to join our work!
Upcoming projects include solar panel installation, tamale making, fruit gleaning, garden work, and helping with room-side recycling.
Are you a community organization looking for passionate students to help on a project? Email Marty at
mlpool@fortlewis.edu to learn how to connect with us!
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Community Events and Opportunities
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Local & Fort Lewis College
Events and Happenings in our Local Community and at FLC
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Learn to Make
Tamales with Local Corn and the GFC!
The Good Food Collective, Yoga Durango en Espanol, Animas Valley Grange and Latin X invite you to join us in a Tamaliza, or tamale-making celebration on Saturday, March 9th. Learn how to make traditional and not-so-traditional tamales using locally-sourced ingredients. While our tamales are cooking, we will warm up for eating with Zumba en espanol and cool down with Yoga en Espanol, all whilst rocking out to the tunes of DJ Euforia. We wrap up our celebration with a shared tamale meal and stories about the cultural significance of food.
Meat, Vegetarian and Vegan Tamales will be provided. Please consider bringing a side dish or dessert to share. This event is free and open to all, though donations are welcome.
When: Saturday, March 9, 9 am - 1 pm
Where: Animas Valley Grange,
7271 Co Rd 203, Durango, CO
Cost: Free!
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Banff Mountain Film Festival
Banff Mountain Film Festival is back with two nights of unique film line-ups! Join for one or both nights of award-winning adventure, environmental, exploration, and mountain culture films from around the world. In addition to awe inspiring films, you can win gear, gift cards, classes, and epic adventures in the raffle and silent auction sponsored by Osprey Packs.
Proceeds from this event benefit San Juan Citizens Alliance and Rocky Mountain Wild, and are used to help keep Wolf Creek pass wild! Learn more about the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.
When: March 15 & March 16 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where:
Community Concert Hall at FLC
Cost: $15 - $25
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Join the Good Food Collective for an evening learning about the issue of Food Insecurity and what it means for the 49 million Americans, 13% of La Plata County Residents, and 28% of FLC students afflicted by it. This event will feature the award winning film, A Place at the Table, followed by a panel discussion and round-table brainstorm about ways to address the issue of hunger and food inequity in our region.
When: Monday, March 25 from 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Where:
Fort Lewis College Noble Hall, Room 130
Cost:
Free, though donations of cash or healthy, shelf stable foods to support the GFC’s food security efforts are welcome
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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 Trails 2000 and San Juan Mountains Association.
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Opportunities
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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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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We are Impact Position
Find yourself working on campaigns for the environment, the democracy and the future.
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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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Mountain Studies Institute is Hiring a VISTA Position
MSI is searching for a talented, motivated, and self-directed individual to grow our mountain education and outreach programs as an Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation (OSMRE) Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA). The VISTA position will be located in Silverton, Colorado in the heart of the San Juan Mountains and the position has a start date of March 18.
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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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Farm Runners is Looking for New Employees
Farm Runners is currently looking to make a few additions to our team based out of Hotchkiss, CO and are looking for team members to be located within the North Fork Valley. Positions start May/June with commitment through at least October. Applicants should have Interest in local foods, intuition, and positive communication skills. Positions include Local Food Sales and Distribution Driver, Retail Store Staff/Manager, and Pack House Administrative Professional.
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Regional & Beyond
Further Resources and Opportunities
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Calling All Farm and Ranch Women!
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Annie’s Project is an 18 hour course that is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. There's plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow and meet other farm and ranch women. Join your fellow farm and ranching women to become empowered!
When: February 28 - March 2
Where: Pagosa Springs, CO
Cost: $75 per person (meals included!)
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Prune and Graft with MORP
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It's time to learn to prune and graft with MORP! Upcoming MORP Workshops (Saturdays from 10am to noon) include Pruning in an historic apple orchard, grafting at the Experimental Station in Yellow Jacket, grafting at the Animas Valley Grange, and grafting at the Old Fort in Hesperus.
When:
March 2nd - April 6th
Where: Locations vary
Cost:
Cost of workshop is free to current MORP members; $30 otherwise.
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