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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Home Sweet Home
Durango is now a level red on the COVID status dial. Along with many other counties throughout Colorado, we have seen a recent trend of skyrocketing cases. Schools are shutting down, and worry is once again heightening over this temperamental sickness. Sometimes, it is easy to forget that this way of life is not normal, and yet it has sort of started to feel normal. Over the past several months, everything has come to seem so routine: the isolation, the uncertainty, the constant effort to track an invisible villain. Reminders of social distancing and mask-wearing are just a part of any public place now.
Today, I'm lucky enough to be working in a cozy house with three children to nanny, all happily plugging away at distance learning material. At the moment, a fleeting thought: what holiday season will ever be this way again? But instead of focusing on what I am missing out on, I'm thinking of how I can re-frame my experience. Plans are getting canceled, but with no pressure to travel for the holidays there is more time. It's a chance to double-down on the goals many of us set when this all started: pick up a new instrument, learn to knit, get in the best shape of your life with home workouts, bond with family and old friends over Zoom, binge on a new book series.
In the end, there are so many things in our lives we don't have any control over, but how we choose to react is what actually forms our lives. This pandemic has affected people so differently, and in many cases it has been heartbreakingly unfair. But well all have things in our life that we can be grateful for, big or small. It is our most important job right now to stay at home whenever possible and enjoy these things, an immense contribution on the path back to normal.
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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Fundraise for the EC 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 on the left-hand menu.
- 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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We Still Have a Few FREE Kits to Help you Save Energy, Water, and Money!
The EC and LPEA are offering FREE renter efficiency kits to FLC student renters! Reduce your climate impact, reduce your water use, and reduce your bills – it’s a win, win, win! Items include LED light bulbs, low flow water fixtures, insulation strips, and helpful info for reducing your impact and lowering your bills! Pick up your kit and get more information at our up at our Renter Efficiency Event, or at additional scheduled pick-up times. HUGE thanks to La Plata Electric Association for supporting this program!
Due campus restrictions, Friday is you last day to pick up a kit. We will resume handing out kits next semester for anyone that reserves theirs now. We will
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Here in the EC, our project leads and general members are celebrating all our hard work from this semester! Last Thursday, our Growing Spaces stewards wrapped up their season with one last garden workday. |
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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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Visit the Durango Thanksgiving Farmers Market!
Don't miss this year's Thanksgiving Holiday Market at the TBK Bank parking lot! The Durango Farmers Market seeks to strengthen community ties to agriculture - a feat that is especially important this year! SNAP and Double Up Bucks are both accepted. Stock up on local produce, meat, dairy, honey, artisan gifts, and positive vibes. Vendor booths are six feet apart, and masks are required.
Visit the Durango Farmers Market webpage for more information.
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Want to Eat Local for the Holidays? Here's Your Guide!
This year, our holiday dinner tables may look a little different. The pandemic has made socializing with our families pretty challenging. Still, we can show our love and support for the community by buying and eating local this holiday season! Lucky for you, the Good Food Collective has created a a list of farms, businesses, and restaurants that are providing meals, products, or deals around town next week. Eating local has never been so easy!
At present, this list is living and will continue to grow and become updated on the Food Resources page of the Good Food Collective website.
Know of a resource that should be on the page? Email GFC to let them know!
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Online Conference: Adapting Landscapes in the Four Corners to a Changing Climate
Discover how climate change will impact our region, our water supply, our landscapes, gardens, and forests. November 21st-December 5th, recorded presentations from environmentally active citizens (including FLC's own Gigi Richard!) can be accessed. December 5th, view a live Q&A with other prestigious guests.
Four scholarships are being offered for interested FLC students to attend.
Visit the webpage for registration forms, cost, and deadlines.
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Volunteer on a Solar Installation with Solar Barn Raising
If you've never taken part in a solar installation, now's your chance - no experience necessary! Solar Barn Raising is looking for a few more volunteers to help with a solar installation this Friday. Plus free lunch!!
As with all of our installations, please come prepared with your mask, water, layers as needed for the weather, long pants, sunglasses, a hat, work gloves, and shoes/boots good for walking in some mud (if you are going to the ground mount install) and/or shoes good for walking on a roof and ideally always shoes that you feel are durable enough to protect your toes!
When: Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 AM (should last 4-6 hours, but volunteers can leave as needed)
Where: Lemon/Vallecito area - contact Solar Barn Raising for more info
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Four Corners Local Carbon Offset Fund is Launching!
Four Corners Carbon Offset Fund launches November 16! Offset donations will be used towards local energy efficiency programs that provide local grants towards efficiency upgrades and renewables for low-to-moderate income households. Offsetting your carbon footprint while helping your neighbors reduce their energy burden is a win/win, and it keeps the dollars local!
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Raise Your Voice in Support of Colorado's Wild Places
The Wilderness Society is kicking off their 30x30 campaign - working to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation efforts so that 30% of our planet is conserved in its natural state by 2030. Increasing the share of protected areas in our state will take a collective effort from all Coloradans, who must work together with our leaders, neighbors, and fellow outdoor lovers!
For more information, or to help write a letter to the editor in our local newspapers, contact Mary, Wilderness Society regional organizer at mary@greencorps.org.
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
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Apply Online for Incubator Program or Farmer in Training!
The Old Fort at Hesperus is accepting applications for the 2020 growing season. Since 2013, we have served dozens of beginning farmers, many of whom are still farming or working in food-related careers. The mission of the program is to provide an entry point for young and beginning farmers in the Four Corners region, giving them the support and skills necessary to succeed. One of the only educational farms specializing in high-elevation desert farming, this program is uniquely positioned to support farmers wishing to work in arid mountain environments.
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Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado Offering Scholarships!
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is offering four $5,000 scholarships to help make educational dreams possible for Colorado students who have demonstrated a proven commitment to environmental stewardship. It is open to high school seniors and graduate/non-traditional students.
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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 the EC Coordinator, Marty Pool at mlpool@fortlewis.edu
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Your Chance to Explore a New Advocacy Organization |
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Conservation Colorado
Conservation Colorado works to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water, and communities through organizing, advocacy, and elections. For over 50 years, they have worked with communities statewide to ensure that our quality of life and our environment are protected. They work to elect pro-conservation leaders to public office and then hold our decision makers accountable to move Colorado forward in protecting our environment.
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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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