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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The Benefits of Native Plant Landscaping
As spring begins to feel a little closer, we're bombarded with advertisements about preparing our lawns for spring. Those beautiful, time-consuming, water-gulping landscapes. It’s about time to bring out the fertilizer, check that the lawnmower is in working order, and start to think about a watering schedule. Even renters are being reminded by their landlords about their responsibilities to keep the grass green.
It may not cross many people’s minds, but this is not the best option for our personal time or the environment itself. The grass we grow today isn’t really native to anywhere; it’s been bred to survive in a monocultural yard, and resist the harsh chemicals we use to kill everything else around it. By investing in landscaping that utilizes plants native to our region, we can reduce the amount of water we consumer and the amount of fertilizers and weed killers we spread across the earth.
Next time a frustrating dead patch appears in the grass, or a sprinkler needs to be fixed before the entire yard turns brown, stop and consider how much more convenient it would be to have an outdoor space filled with low-maintenance rock, mulch, and vegetation that was actually supposed to grow in this area's climate. In the end, not only could it do a little to protect our fragile ecosystem; it will even save you some time and money as well. Check out this webpage to find lists of native vegetation by region, gardening tips & tricks, and endless other resources specific to the Colorado outdoors! And fun fact: Dean Mullen, owner of Scapegoat Landscaping, is an Environmental Center alum and got his start working on campus landscaping!
Madeline Chandler
EC Student Media & 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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Drag Me to Mother Earth!
How to Stitch, Sustainable Makeup, and How To Drag
The EC is teaming up with the "G" (the FLC Gender and Sexuality Resource Center) for an Earth Day celebration you won't want to miss! Drag Me to Mother Earth is FLC's first Eco-Drag Show, celebrating both LGBTQIA+ and environmentalism! For the next four weeks we'll be hosting a series of workshops prepping kings and queens for the show and also talking about environmentally friendly practices like re-using, up-cycling, and making more sustainable choices with fashion and make-up.
Workshops are free and open to all. You don't have to be in the show to join the workshops, but anyone interested in being a queen or king can attend to learn more about being in the show! Upcoming workshops include:
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How to Stitch / Group Outfit and Re-usable Bag Making - Thursdays March 25 and April 8, 1-2 PM in the Student Union Ballroom
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Drag Makeup and Sustainable Cosmetics - Fridays April 2 and 9, 4:30-5:30 PM in the Student Union Ballroom
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Food Forest Pruning Workday
Spring has sprung and our campus Food Forest Orchard is in need of care! Join Sadie for a pruning session this week in the EC's Food Forest to get our orchard ready for the year and to learn more about pruning techniques.
When: Thursday, April 1 from 3-5 PM
Where: The EC's Campus Food Forest Orchard, located just north of Pine Hall (the Adventure ED building) on Rim Drive. See it on the campus map.
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Send in Your Contributions for Earth Day Radio Hour
KDUR is working with the Environmental Center again this year to put together the Earth Day Radio Hour! We are collecting messages and songs that capture the spirit of Earth Day and will put the content together as an hour-long radio program on Thursday, April 22 from 3-4 PM.
We invite YOU to submit content to the Environmental Center to be featured as part of the program! Here’s how:
- Record a 10-30 second voice memo on your phone and email it in. We recommend the prompts “Earth Day matters because…” or “This is what Earth Day means to me….” (if you’ve never done this before simply do a quick Google search for “how to record and email a voice memo”)
- If you own a song (purchased the download rights or purchased on CD), you can email an audio file (preferred .mp3 file) – be sure to include the artist and title of the song in the body of your email.
- If you don’t own a song, you can still recommend a song. Just email the title, artist, and approximate length of the song (if you know it).
All submissions should be emailed to Marty at mlpool@fortlewis.edu with the subject “Earth Day Radio Hour” Submissions are DUE by the end of the day on Sunday 4/11!
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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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Plant a Tree for Arbor Day and Help the 416 Fire Recovery
Join Mountain Studies Institute and the San Juan National Forest to celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in the 416 fire burn area. Tools and work gloves will be provided,
but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. There will be short hikes to the planting areas.
When: Saturday, April 17 from 9 AM to 12 PM
Where: Hermosa Creek area
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Confronting the Climate Crisis: The Need for Legislative Action on Equity in Colorado
Join Conservation Colorado and hear from an expert panel of legislators and community leaders to learn more about efforts being done to address climate change in Colorado and how you can get involved!
When: Monday, April 5 at 6 PM
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Tell the City How You Feel About Water Use in Durango
The city of Durango asks residents to share their concerns and feedback about
the city’s water supply by taking a Water Sentiment Survey, which will help the city update the water master plan. The city’s water master plan analyzes water-supply needs and sets priorities for improvements to the water system. The plan also considers how best to access water stored in Lake Nighthorse for municipal use.
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Get Your Discounted Rain Barrel Today
4CORE's popular rain barrel group buy is happening again. The complete rain barrel kit is offered at 50% off retail at $76 for one, or $150 for two barrels. This price includes tax and shipping. The delivery date is set for Saturday, May 1st at La Plata County Fairgrounds from 9 AM to 2 PM. You must be present or send someone to pick up your barrels on that day.
Please email Molly at molly@fourcore.org to place your order. Since this is a group-buy, they will send a link to make your purchase once they've reached our minimum order number. The deadline for placing your order is April 15, so get your order in and tell your friends! |
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
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Discover the Green Career of Your Dreams!
The National Wildlife Federation will be hosting the fifth annual EcoCareers Conference this April with more sessions, more options, and more opportunities for college and high school students and educators to learn about and prepare for tomorrow’s green workforce.
When: Wednesday & Thursday, April 7 & 8
Where: Online
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Solar Spark for Students Interested in Solar Energy
Solar Spark is a conference for students, by students, and is an awesome an opportunity for students to gain planning experience, demonstrate leadership, and learn about renewable energy. There are ample avenues for college students to get involved including several volunteer opportunities in planning and running this conference.
When: Thursday through Sunday, April 1-4
Where: Online - To learn more about the conference and to register visit the Solar Spark website
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Finding Your Point of Intervention
Ever had the feeling like you are single-handedly responsible for dismantling all of the unjust systems in the world? Then this session might be for you! Jensen will explore themes of collective organizing, rest as revolution (as coined by The Nap Ministry), and what it means to find your point of intervention alongside an entire system of change.
When: April 7, 2-3pm
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Southwest Farm Fresh is Hiring!
Interested in a job working within our local food system? Southwest Farm Fresh is a cooperative of small family farms from southwestern Colorado. The Co-op is currently hiring for three positions: an assistant manager, marketing coordinator, and driver.
Visit the SWFF website to find more about these opportunities, and to apply!
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Conservation Legacy Hiring
Conservation Legacy is hiring for several positions, in many locations!
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Brightwood Farm Paid Summer Intern Position
Brightwood Farm is a diversified, small, certified organic, family farm with a few dairy cows and sheep, and principally raising vegetables year round using season extension methods. They apply regenerative agriculture practices. Several of their former interns are successful farmers now, or are actively engaged in aspects of food access, social justice and resiliency.
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Scholarships For Young Change Makers!
Prevention Institute and Healthline have partnered up to offer this year's Stronger Scholarship! If you're a student working to improve community conditions and reduce health inequities in your community, you could be one of the three amazing students to earn $7,000!
Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander college juniors and seniors demonstrating leadership and community involvement in health equity qualify.
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Good Food Collective '21-22 VISTA Position
If you are passionate about food systems and eager to contribute to the work of an impactful nonprofit organization, this is the position for you!
GFC is excited to have begun the recruiting process for the Food Security, Engagement and Social Enterprise Coordinator VISTA member to support organizational development for the 2021-2022 Project Period. The VISTA member will increase capacity and engagement for the GFC by expanding food security and food justice programs, developing outreach and communications strategies, promoting community engagement opportunities, and assisting with fundraising and grant writing opportunities.
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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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Your Chance to Explore a New Advocacy Organization |
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National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC)
The National Young Farmers Coalition is a national advocacy network of young farmers fighting for the future of agriculture whose mission is to represent, mobilize, and engage young farmers to ensure their success. They change policy, build networks, and provide business services to ensure all young farmers have the chance to succeed. As a community of farmers and consumers they support: independent family farms; sustainable farming practices; affordable land for farmers; fair labor practices; farmer-to-farmer training; farmers of every gender, race, and sexual orientation; and cooperation and friendship between all farmers.
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News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond |
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Paris to transform Champs-Élysées into ‘Extraordinary Garden’
- Tiny frogs among series of finds in Andean "Sky Islands"
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC! |
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