Diana Wall, our Inaugural Director of SoGES, is featured in the latest video installment of the Tell Me More Conversation Series by Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell. Their conversation touches on past and current sustainability efforts at the University and how CSU faculty and students across disciplines are addressing some of the most complex sustainability issues of our time. WATCH HERE.

Johnny Plastini is presenting a collection of 15 works at BOLT gallery in Fort Collins for the month of May. Each image, which are printed on handmade paper and use up-cycled and refurbished frames, narrates symbiotic pioneer species of lichens through both the scientific and anthropological definitions of culture. LEARN MORE. Plastini is a SoGES 2020-21 Resident Fellow and Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Printmaking in the Department of Art and Art History.

SoGES Lead Scientist Pat Keys and his collaborators Elizabeth Barnes and Neil Carter used machine learning to produce a map that reveals where abrupt changes in the landscape have taken place around the world. The resulting article was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. READ MORE from SOURCE. Barnes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science. Carter is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan.

What started as a study group in 2009 and grew to a SoGES working group, the Center for Environmental Justice has become one of CSU’s leading initiatives regarding environmental justice issues around the world. According to a recent SOURCE story, the Center aims to serve as a catalyst for people across all disciplines to see the relationship their work has with questions of equity and justice, both amongst humans and between humanity and the environment. READ MORE.

The Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI), whose secretariat is housed at SoGES, partnered with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Soil Partnership, and others to host the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity held virtually from Rome, Italy in April. Over 4,800 attendees watched the opening plenary, and over 100 talks were given by scientists, growers, and policy-makers over the four-day event. Diana Wall, GSBI Scientific Chair, gave a symposium keynote address and Monica Farfan, GSBI Executive Director, moderated the scientific plenary session held on April 21. LEARN MORE.

Congrats to three of our own among the newly elected members of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research: Jan Leach, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Agricultural Sciences and SoGES Executive Council Member; Thomas Lovejoy, Professor at George Mason University and SoGES External Advisory Board Member; and Robin Reid, Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and Executive Committee Member for The Africa Center. LEARN MORE and read this SOURCE story.

A recent study by Marcela Velasco aims to increase resilience and unity in Colombia’s Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. The study looked at the impacts of ongoing conflict in the region with the goal to educate and equip community members with research skills to help them understand and preserve the sustainability of some of Colombia’s most marginalized peoples and the biodiverse ecosystems on which their cultures, economies, and livelihoods depend. READ MORE from SOURCE. Velasco was a SoGES 2018-19 Resident Fellow and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science.

Join SoGES and the One Health Institute for a series of three virtual panels: 1) Climate change impacts on vector borne disease distribution; 2) Drought impacts on livestock production in rural communities; and 3) Fire impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. 1-5pm. REGISTER HERE and download the flyer for more information.

Join us for this special panel discussion hosted by students in the course GES 520: Issues in Environmental Sustainability and sponsored by SoGES. Energy engineers and practitioners from the City of Fort Collins, CSU Facilities Management, and the Institute for the Built Environment will discuss the importance of building energy, how policy affects building energy decisions, and what local residents can do to conserve energy in their homes. Free virtual event, 6-7:30pm. REGISTER HERE.

On this final episode of the Sustainability Happy Hour for spring semester, we'll talk with Sam Moccia, Director of the Student Sustainability Center (SSC) and third year undergraduate studying Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. We'll explore Sam's sustainability interests, what's new at the SSC, and more end-of-semester fun. Free livestream broadcast, 3-3:50pm. LEARN MORE.

This year's symposium will feature leading experts, researchers, and scientists who are partnering with industry, government, NGOs, and others to solve the nations most pressing energy and climate challenges. Hosted by the Colorado Energy Research Collaboratory on May 4, 5, and 14, this virtual event is free and registration required. LEARN MORE.

The global Virtual Idea Market, as part of the Sustainability Research and Innovation (SRI) Congress 2021, provides an opportunity for students, young professionals, and innovators to share their sustainability advances, concepts, designs, prototypes, and products. Participants are invited to create a short, three-minute video/digital presentation of their idea to the SRI Congress Virtual Market. Deadline is June 1st. LEARN MORE. SRI is a joint initiative of Future Earth and the Belmont Forum.

The CSU Spur campus team is accepting applications for its six-month Sustainability Research Fellowship. This Fellow will help structure and launch a long-term, sustainability-focused research platform as a "living lab" at the Spur campus. Applications will be reviewed as they come in and the position will remain open until filled. LEARN MORE.

The Colorado Water Center invites undergraduate students and master’s candidates to apply for a scholarship provided by the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District. Up to two $2,000 one-year scholarships are available for full-time university students working on a water-related degree program from any major. Apply by May 18th. LEARN MORE.

Shelby McClelland, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

Erin Boedicker, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Chemistry

Rebecca Cheek, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Biology and the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

James Hale, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Sociology

Janak Joshi, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Global Environmental Sustainability Minor (GES)

Our flagship minor, the GES program provides a deep understanding of the complexity surrounding the problems we face and the solutions that we need to implement to address climate change, biodiversity, pollution, public health, oceans, food security, and development on a global scale. LEARN MORE.

Jointly offered by the Colorado Water Center and SoGES, this minor focuses on water issues from social, political, economic, and ecological perspectives. Students gain knowledge of the complexities of water use and management. LEARN MORE.

This minor focuses on social, philosophical, and education aspects of peace and reconciliation and how these can address issues of sustainability. LEARN MORE.

Jointly offered by the CSU Energy Institute and SoGES, this minor focuses on the many dimensions of sustainable energy and breaking down traditional barriers that separate the science and engineering of energy from the social, economic, and political aspects of energy. LEARN MORE.

Online minor enrollment is available. Visit the SoGES education and training webpage to learn more, download the minor course check sheets, and set up an advising appointment.

SoGES addresses complex and global challenges by propelling sustainability research, educating future sustainability leaders, and connecting with the community. CLICK HERE to learn more about our School, our mission, and ways you can support our work.

PLUGGED IN: CSU's Sustainability Newsletter is distributed on the first Tuesday of each month. CLICK HERE to join our mailing list. Questions about this newsletter? Email micha.bennett@colostate.edu.