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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Making Connections
After a year of disruption to in-person education, it's amazing to be back on a a campus buzzing with passionate and energetic students. As many of you know (or maybe are hearing for the first time) the EC plays a special role in connecting students to opportunities and happenings on campus and in our community. The amount of interest that students express at the start of the year is almost overwhelming (in a good way). At the same time, it seems like groups on campus and in our community (including the EC) have tons of ways to get involved. The tricky bit is to get this all lined up.
So here's the deal: If you're an FLC student, you'll want to open up this awesome newsletter every other week to see what's going on and how you can get involved. If you're a campus or community organization that wants more students to come your way - be sure to share your opportunities with us so we can post them in upcoming newsletters! Or, if you have an idea for a project you'd like to partner with us on, be sure to reach out and let us know.
We know that our email inboxes can get pretty clogged these days, but we hope you get as much out of this newsletter as we put into it (hint: that's a lot).
Marty Pool
Assistant Director, Environmental Center
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Environmental Center Happenings |
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Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference! |
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Interested in Joining the EC This Year? Sign-up now!
We are still hiring for paid Project Lead positions!
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Check out the EC's Weeks of Welcome Events!
Free Store
Come browse all the Free Store goodies and stock up on what you need for the school year - clothes, school supplies, housewares, are more! Save money and reduce your environmental footprint by snagging re-used items rather than buying new.
When: Wednesdays from 12 - 2 PM
Where: Student Union lobby
Thursday Garden Workdays
Join the Environmental Center Growing Spaces crew in planting, weeding, and harvesting our fall vegetable crop at the Campus Garden! Bring water and wear clothes that are comfortable for gardening.
When: Thursday, Sept. 9 from 1 to 2 PM
Where: Environmental Center Campus Garden - Northwest corner of Center of Southwest Studies north parking lot.
Food Forest Fridays
Join the Environmental Center Growing Spaces crew in harvesting fruit and caretaking our Food Forest Orchard! Bring water and wear clothes that are comfortable for gardening.
When: Friday, Sept. 10 from 12 to 2 PM
Where: Environmental Center Food Forest Orchard by Pine Hall
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Fundraise While You Shop
Anyone out there a regular City Market shopper? You can help raise funds for the EC every time you shop - available for anyone with a City Market Rewards Card!
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Go to http://www.citymarketcommunityrewards.com and login (or create an account if you haven’t already).
- Once logged in go to the “Community Rewards” section under My Account
- Enroll in supporting the Fort Lewis College Environmental center (organization AJ646)
- Shop at City Market, use your standard rewards ID, and a the EC will receive a donation from City Market at no charge to you!
The EC definitely encourages you to check out all the local and environmentally friendly food options here in town for your groceries including the Farmers Market, farm stands, and CSA (community share agriculture) programs!
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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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Environmental RSOs at FLC
Looking to get involved in a "green" student group? The EC does some awesome work, but we can't do it all! Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are the official student-led groups at FLC, and many of them focus on environmental, sustainability, and social justice efforts.
FLC students should check out SkyHub to browse all current groups. Not seeing what you're looking for? You should start your own group! Stop by the EC or the Leadership Center to learn more about starting your own RSO. And...
Come by the Student Involvement Expo!
When: Thursday, Sept. 9 from 12 - 2 PM
Where: Student Union outdoor Plaza
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FLC Students: use Transit to get around, for free!
Student fees pay for FLC students to ride Durango Transit for free - so make the most of it! Transit is way cheaper and more environmentally friendly than owning a car and driving alone.
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The City of Durango needs your help with its annual pedestrian and bike survey!
The City is seeking volunteers to help count bicyclists and pedestrians Sept. 14-17. The city of Durango undertakes the count every other year with the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. The bicyclist and pedestrian counts help us understand how infrastructure is being used and secure grant funding for projects such as sidewalk repair, bicycle facilities and transit system improvements.
A total of 77 two-hour volunteer slots need to be filled. This is an awesome opportunity for you and your friends to help us improve our transportation system in Durango! Sign up here.
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Share Your Thoughts on the City of Durango Sustainability Plan
In May 2020, a Sustainability Working Group comprised of representatives from local stakeholder organizations (including the FLC Environmental Center) and members of existing Boards and Commissions was formed to guide the Sustainability Plan process. The time has come to gather broader community input, and the City wants to hear from you! Share your feedback on various sectors of the plan at workshops:
All sessions can be found at DurangoGov.com/Zoom starting at 5:30 PM:
- 09/14: Transportation & Land Use
- 09/23: Natural Systems
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Volunteers Needed to Protect Ice Lakes!
With the anticipation of the SJNF re-opening the Ice Lakes area on September 16, San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is looking for possible volunteers for the Ice Lakes Educational Basecamp. Volunteer presence to share the message of hiker safety, staying on the trail, as well as all "Leave No Trace" principles, will be more important than ever due to the nature of the fire-damaged landscape.
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Volunteer with Durango Trails on the New Cutthroat Trail
Join Durango Trails on National Public Lands Day! No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
When: Saturday, September 25 from 9 AM - 12 NOON
Where: the Cutthroat Trail in Hermosa
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Got Extra Fruit on Your Tree? List It!
Southwest Colorado is FULL of fruit trees, which means that tree owners often end up with unharvested fruit going to waste and attracting bears. It's not too early to list your tree today on the Good Food Collective Fruit Tree Registry so that fruit-loving community members can contact you to schedule a time to come help harvest! If your fruit isn't ripe yet, you can indicate the estimated date that fruit will be available. Help reduce food waste, save bears, and feed community!
Questions? Learn more about our Gleaning Program by clicking below! Or give them a call at (970) 403-5347 or email info@goodfoodcollective.org
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It's Peak Harvest Season at Durango Farmers Market
The Durango Farmers Market is a venue for local agriculturalists, artisans, ready-to-eat, value-added, and service vendors to meet and share the fruits of their labor with the community in Durango. Se habla Español!
When: Saturday Mornings from 8 AM to 12 NOON (through Oct. 31)
Where: TBK Bank parking lot (across from the Durango Transit Center)
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Give Your Input on How Our Forests Should Be Managed
As their name implies, Forest Management plans outline how the US Forest Service manages YOUR public lands. Have some thoughts, concerns or insights about the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests? Submit them today!
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
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Southwest Conservation Corp is Hiring ASAP!
SWCC is trying to fill some last minutes slots for our Local Crew based out of Alamosa, CO. This crew is intended to be for residents of the San Luis Valley in south central Colorado. The crew will work with a series of land managers in the valley (BLM, Forest Service, and NPS) with the intention of gaining skill and making connections to work towards trail and conservation-based employment in the valley.
An ideal start date would be Monday (8/30) but as that date is quickly approach, we have flexibility to meet the needs of the participant. Please reach out to Ben Correll (Program Coordinator – Salida, CO) directly with any interested participants or questions about the program! Phone: 719-580-8199
More information and job application can be found here.
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SJMA is looking for interns to support environmental education!
San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) has openings for college students who are interested in hands-on, outdoors-based environmental education. Programs include include our After-School hiking-based science programs as well as learning more about how educational programs are run and administered.
These internship opportunities give college students hands-on experience working in the outdoors, teaching elementary-aged students environmental science lessons, and gaining valuable leadership and facilitation skills.
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The City of Durango is hiring a sustainability intern!
The Sustainability Intern will primarily assist with gathering data, submitting information and conducting outreach associated with the city’s application for LEED for Cities designation, as well as help with other projects including updating the city’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory, developing outreach materials for the sustainability program and participating in sustainability program events. The intern will gain valuable experience in local government and sustainability work.
Applications due ASAP!
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MSI is hiring a Finance and Executive Assistant
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a 501 (c)(3) non-advocacy, mountain education and research center
established in 2002 to develop the capacity of southwest Colorado mountain communities to thrive and
live sustainably. MSI is seeking a part time Finance and Executive Assistant responsible for assisting with general accounting duties, supporting human
resource management, and assisting with administrative and operational tasks as needed.
Applications due ASAP and reviewed on a rolling basis!
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Citizen's Climate Lobby Info Sessions for Students
Want to do something about climate change? Tune in to our informational session for students to learn about how you can make a difference in creating the political will for legislation that will put us on the path to reduce the emissions that are changing our climate. By attending this session you will learn:
- Who we are: CCL's mission, history, values
- Our solution to climate change: Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
- Our method: Utilizing the tools of democracy to effect political change
- Get involved: Find your advocacy community and take action on climate
- Internships, fellowships, volunteer and training opportunities
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GFC is Hiring for Two Awesome Positions!
The Good Food Collective operates in deep partnership to build a resilient and just regional food system in Southwest Colorado. We are currently seeking a socially-minded, business-oriented individual to support two of our local food enterprises- Our Farms to Food Assistance Food Hub that we operate with the support of the Community Foundation Serving SW Colorado and our Fruit for Good social enterprise.
Applications due ASAP and reviewed on a rolling basis!
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GFC is Hiring for Two Awesome Positions!
The La Plata Food Equity Coalition is a diverse collection of community members, agencies, businesses and organizations working together to advance health equity for and with La Plata County BIPOC, Senior and Rural Residents through increased access to healthy, affordable foods and opportunities for shared community leadership. Coalition is seeking a part-time Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Weaver to support the development of diversity, equity, and inclusion values, practices, and skills within the coalition and its structures, while concurrently supporting the development and execution of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the food system.
Applications due ASAP and reviewed on a rolling basis!
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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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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC! |
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