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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Welcome (back) to another year of the EC Digest! Where were we all summer? Well I can assure you that there were still plenty of environmental happenings around town (can someone say e-bike to work day!?). But the reason we don't publish a Digest in the summer is because we don't have any students around! You see, like so many things at the EC, the a good share of what goes into the EC Digest is managed by students. Without students, honestly, the EC just can't get as much done!
But not to worry! All that is about to change - it's fall semester time and Fort Lewis College is buzzing with activity again. We've been super busy helping out with Orientation and getting the EC ready for another great year. It's already so incredible to see so much student interest!
Read on below to learn more about what we've been up to, and what we've got in store!
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Marty Pool
Environmental Center Coordinator
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Environmental Center Happenings
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Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference!
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Kicking Off Another Great Year!
Over the years the EC has worked to increase our involvement with Orientation and Welcome Week. This is so important to us because as new students are arriving at Fort Lewis College, we need them to understand that this is a community that cares about our impact on the world. Check out these amazing programs!
- Real Food Challenge Dinner educated over 1,000 students and family members about FLC's commitment to buying socially and environmentally responsible foods
- Hydration & Caffeineation Station gave over 500 reusable mugs away to promote reducing and reusing instead of disposable
- Campus Grown Workday got a new round of passionate students introduced and involved with our campus growing spaces
- Move-In Free Store saw over 200 students, and gave away over 750 items collected last spring during Move-Out, keeping all this great usable stuff out of dumpsters and saving students so much money
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Thank You!
A very special thank you to Orientation Coordinator Elizabeth Calagias, our FLC Campus Dining staff, and all the EC Team Members who helped out: Jazzmin, Maggie, Donald, Becca, Matthias, Emily, and Kateri. Your help made this all possible!
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We're Looking for New Team Members!
If you haven't already heard, the EC is accepting application for new EC Team Members. Visit
our website for more information about the positions and how to apply.
Still have questions? Come to the info session!
When: Thursday, Sept. 5 from 5:30-6:30 PM
Where: EC Office - FLC Student Union 145
Who: Open to all FLC students
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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!
- 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!
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Join Us for Campus Garden Workdays
The start of school can be stressful. So how about you get outside to de-stress and get your hands dirty!? Join our Growing Spaces Steward, Maggie, for a Garden Workday,
this Thursday during College Hour
When:
Thursday, from 1-2 PM
Where: EC Campus Garden, located just north of Center of Southwest Studies Parking Lot. (
Link to Map.)
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Burned, Buried and Flooded: Water Resources Excitement in Southwest Colorado
Come learn more about all the exciting things that have been happening to our watershed at this year's Fall Water Forum, co-hosted by SGM and the Four Corners Water Resources Center. FLC students and faculty attend for free, lunch is only $10.
When: Friday, Sept. 13, from 8 AM - 4 PM
Where: FLC Student Union Ballroom
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Save the Date for the FLC Sustainability Summit on Tuesday, October 15
Didn't you just have the annual Sustainability Summit like six months ago? Yep. But we're moving the Summit to fall semester because it just makes all kinds of sense. For instance, did you know that October is Campus Sustainability Month for higher-ed institutions? Come learn what that's all about and more at this year's (second) summit!
Details to come on this year's summit, so be sure to check our next Digests.
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FLC Students Are Gearing Up for a Climate Strike
As part of the
global climate strike on Friday, Sept. 20th, FLC students are organizing to draw attention to the fact that their future demands action!
For more information on how to take part, contact FLC student organizer
JoJo Johnstone
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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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Gleaning Season is Here
It's almost Fall, which means that our areas
fruit glean program program hosted by The Good Food Collective and Bear Smart is gearing up! Have a tree heavy with fruit and need some help harvesting? Interested in volunteering and getting some delicious (hyper)local fruit? Then get plugged into this program right away!
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Old Fort Farm Stand is Open!
Come get your fresh local food from FLC's own Old Fort Market Gardens! Veggies are sooo much tastier when they're locally grown.
When:
Wednesday at 1 PM
Where:
Student Union plaza
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Durango Farmer's Market
The Durango Farmers Market is still open through October 26th!
The Durango Farmers Market is a venue for local agriculturalists, ranchers and artisans to meet and share their harvest and talents with the Durango community. The market also offers hot ready to eat food from local vendors, value added foods such as jams, jellies and sauces and local artisans who make high-quality handcrafted items. And don't forget: Durango Farmers Market accepts SNAP and offers Double Up Food Bucks!
When: Saturdays from 8 AM to 12 PM until October 26
Where: TBK Bank parking lot, across from the Transit Center on 8th St.
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Gwichyaa Zhee Film Screening
Hope to see many of you at the screening of the short film
Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee. The film has been on the road for a southwest tour stopping in Albuquerque, Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Grand Junction, and Las Vegas. Durango is the last stop of the tour.
The film highlights the connection between threats to Bears Ears National Monument and the Arctic Refuge through the perspectives of the Diné and Gwich'in. The Film will be followed by a Q&A with a NativesOutdoors Representative. Please join us to learn more about how you can stand with the Gwich'in Nation to #ProtectTheArctic.
When: Monday, Sept. 9 from 6:30-8 PM
Where: Animas City Theatre
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San Juan Mountains Association Needs Volunteers for their Annual Fundraiser
SJMA still in need of people to assist on the race course for the 9th annual Chili Chase trail running race and chili cook-off. Volunteers will receive free chili tasting (~20 varieties!), a free beer, a one time 20% off coin for Backcountry Experience (BCE), and a big hug from Volunteer and Education Specialist M.K. (optional).
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8 AM
Where: Overend Mountain Park (volunteer locations assigned by M.K.)
For more information and to sign-up, contact
M.K. Gunn
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
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Uplift Climate Conference
Uplift is a climate justice conference created for - and by - young people. This gathering brings together rising climate activists and organizers to shape the dialogue of climate justice and conservation within our home landscape. We inspire the passion and community necessary and equip budding change-makers with the skills and vocabulary to build our regional movement for a just and livable future.
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept.13-15
Where: Red Rock Park | Gallup, NM | Ancestral land of the Diné, Hopi, Pueblo, Western Apache, and Zuni People
Cost: FREE! with EC sponsorship to the first two interested students
The EC is sponsoring FLC students who wish to attend the conference (covering registration and travel costs). Register on your own and then contact EC Coordinator
Marty Pool for information on cost reimbursement and travel options.
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Annual Colorado Student Water Field Conference
It's your chance to get curious and get answers about watershed health with your peers from across the state in an open and supportive environment. Event includes speakers from Trout Unlimited, Grand County, and the Headwaters Center. Tour the Headwaters Center’s brand-new ecological center, take a guided educational hike along the Fraser River, ride the Winter Park gondola and take in the spectacular watershed views with local environmental professionals, and so much more!
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22
Where: Winter Park, Colorado
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Further Resources and Opportunities
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Check back next time for more happenings and opportunities beyond FLC and Durango. If you know of any, you can always
email them to us!
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC!
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