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!
|
|
Celebrating Stuff?
I often find myself reflecting on how consumption fits into celebration. At a fundamental level, so many celebrations revolve around both food and material things. The food brings us together, and often reflects the season of the occasion. The material things are the gifts, the decorations, the costumes, the fun traditions built around a symbolic item. What would Halloween be without a pumpkin, and costumes, and candy? What would any good event be without food and the other items that lend to the theme?
Consumption as part of celebration is not inherently bad. In some cases the celebration itself cannot be separated from the consumption. But it's the excess, the frivolousness, the waste, and the disposability that I think we need to be more conscious of. Keep the crucial pieces at the core of the revelry, but let's think a little more critically about the rest. Eliminate disposables serving-ware from your party; save your costume and use it another year; buy decorations that will last for years rather than be torn down after just a few hours; or try making your own decorations from up-cycled materials; drop off your pumpkin to be food for animals; save your leftovers and compost the rest. The list of ideas goes on, but you get the point.
We've been made to believe that so much of our enjoyment is tied to stuff, so the more stuff, the better. But let's all take a moment to really think about which pieces really matter. Hand-carved pumpkin and roasted pumpkin seeds? Check. Mylar balloons and cheap plastic pumpkin-shaped cups? I'll pass.
Marty Pool
Assistant Director, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center
|
|
Environmental Center Happenings |
|
Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference! |
|
The Animas Hall Landscape Restoration and Campus Growing Spaces - Last Weeks To Help!
Our EC students and volunteers from around campus have been hard at work this fall! We invite you to get outside and help out one more time before the winter sets in!
Animas Hall Landscape Workdays: Mondays 3:30-4:30 PM
Plant native shrubs, grasses, flowers, and cacti at Animas Hall. Find us in the flower beds on the south side of Animas Hall (next to the main entrance).
Last workday- Monday, November 8th!
Garden Workdays: Thursdays 1-2 PM
EC Campus Garden
*Located at the north end of the Center of Southwest Studies Lot.*
Last workday- Thursday, November 11!
Food Forest Workdays: Fridays 3:30-5 PM
EC Permaculture Food Forest
*Located north of Pine Hall*
Last workday, Friday, November 12!
|
|
Help us get our reusable container program back on track by taking this survey!
COVID was rough for the world of reusables. But we're dedicated to getting back on track. The Environmental Center and Campus Dining are studying user habits of people who take to-go containers to help us launch a reusable container program on campus!
Oh, and just a reminder that you get a pretty sweet discount when you use your own mug or beverage container at our Campus Dining coffee shops!
|
|
Community Events and Happenings |
|
What's Going On at FLC and in Our Local Community |
|
Annual Post-Halloween Pumpkin Drop Off
Pumpkins aren't just decorations, they're food! Make sure your beautiful pumpkin doesn't just go to waste after Halloween - that would be really scary! The annual pumpkin drop-off provides residents with a sustainable option to leaving jack-o-lanterns out as bear attractants or throwing them in the trash.
No candles, decorations, pesticides or pet waste please!
When: Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 1 and 2, from 7 AM to 6 PM
Where: Durango - La Plata Fairgrounds 2500 Main Ave; and Bayfield Pine River Shares 658 S. East. St.
|
|
Curious about Electric Vehicles? Come to the FLC EV Show and Tell!
The future of cars is electric, but maybe you're not sure what it takes to make the switch. Come check out some different models, chat with owners, learn about incentive programs for purchasing, and get to know what it's like to have your own EV!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 1 - 2 PM
Where: FLC Electric Vehicle Chargers - South Rim Parking Lot (between Sitter and West Hall)
Cost: FREE!
|
|
Agriculture and the Environment, Culture, and Economic Sustainability
Join the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado's Commissioner of Agriculture, Kate Greenberg, for a presentation on the role agriculture plays in our communities.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 12 to 1:30 PM.
|
|
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
|
 |
San Juan National Forest Employment Workshop
Learn about career paths, job opportunities, the application process, resume and interview tips, and receiving job notifications. Targeted occupations include: natural resources management, recreation, biological sciences, fire and fuels, business operations, rangeland management, environmental engineering, GIS, and more!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: Sitter Family Hall, room 711
|
|
|
|
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) at the CO Partnered Career and Internship Fair
CPW will have a variety of sessions that dive deeper into our different career options, where CPW staff share more about their specific jobs and how they got to where they are today. Sessions include: Wildlife Biologist, Park Ranger, District Wildlife Manager, Fish Hatchery Manager, Education and Outreach, Park Resource Technicians, Energy Liaison, Volunteer Opportunities, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Careers Overview.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: Virtual, registration available
|
|
|
|
|
NAU RISE Program for Research in Environmental Health
The goal of this program is to encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue research careers in the biomedical sciences. Each year we recruit undergraduate juniors and seniors to work on funded research. Opportunities are available in
environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, computer science, and the social sciences.
|
|
|
|
Real Food Generation is Hiring a Part-Time Communications and Fundraising Coordinator
Real Food Generation (“RFG”) harnesses the power of youth and universities to create an equitable and sustainable food system. The Real Meals Campaign is an unprecedented coalition of national organizations representing farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and environmentalists working to change the food service management industry. Uprooted & Rising is a movement to end college and university support for Big Food and white supremacy in the food system and to direct the energy of our generation toward food sovereignty.
Applications due ASAP!
|
|
|
|
|
Braided Channels: Opportunities in River Careers
The virtual discussion will examine how new job opportunities are related to the cultural and social priorities prevalent at many public land agencies. Participants will learn about initiatives from different agencies to attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce and the current priorities around climate change, increased visitation, and other relevant topics.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 1-2 PM
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free!
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond |
|
Autumn is harvest time - nourish your soul with whatever it needs. |
|
STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
