October 18, 2021
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!
“Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.”
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Environmental Center Happenings
Events, programs, and ways to help make a difference!
9th Annual Sustainability Summit
Stronger Care Together

As you probably know, the Sustainability Summit has become one of the highlight annual environmental and sustainability events at Fort Lewis College. It is a chance for students and community members to connect, be inspired, and learn about what is happening at FLC and in our broader region when it comes to sustainability issues and progress. If you care about our planet and want to know how you can get involved to do more, this is the place to be!

The theme of this year’s Summit is as relevant as ever. As many of you may know, Val worked at the EC, and so we will be dedicating the evening to her and the kind of work she cared deeply about. We will do our absolute best to strike a respectful balance between the positive energy of people coming together around shared interests, while also acknowledging the weight we can all feel when striving to care for one another and the planet that we all share.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 5 - 7 PM
Where: FLC Amphitheater
The Free Store is Looking for Donations!

The Free Store has been a huge hit this year with hundreds of visitors so far! Don't forget that the Free Store runs off generous donations from FLC students, staff, faculty and community members. If you have clothing, school supplies, housewares or other gently used items to donate, please bring them by the Environmental Center office (Student Union room 145) anytime between 9 AM and 5 PM.

A then swing by the Free Store to browse more items. Wednesdays 12 Noon - 2 PM in the Student Union lobby lounge.

If you have a larger donation that you would like to coordinate, please contact Bianca, Free Store Manager at baprather@fortlewis.edu.
Our Growing Spaces are Still Welcoming Volunteers!

Join us to help out in our campus growing spaces throughout October. Learn about growing your own food, meet great people, and help support these awesome programs!

Campus Garden Thursdays
1 - 2 PM, Located at the north end of the Center of Southwest Studies Lot.
Contact our Growing Spaces Project Leads Elizabeth emwiswell@fortlewis.edu or Sophia scestes@fortlewis.edu for more info on these volunteer days!

Food Forest Fridays
3:30 - 5 PM, Located just north of Pine Hall.
Contact Growing Spaces Project lead Aurora Campbell for more info, adcampbell@fortlewis.edu.

Find the spaces on the Campus Map.
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.

More information at the City of Durango website
Manna Soup Kitchen is Still Seeking Volunteers

Come help Manna bring in the last of harvest of the year and put the beds to rest for the season from the Carver's Farm. There are still carrots and beets and parsnips and turnips and potatoes out there!! They have Friday mornings (9 -11:30 AM) and Wednesday afternoons (3:30 - 5 PM) volunteer opportunities still open in October. These might be the last of the year and we want to make sure we bring in all those goodies?!?!


Good Business Colorado Road Tour

Join Good Business Colorado for their interactive business mini-summit.
Network with other businesses in the Durango area; meet Good Business Colorado and learn how members benefit from its statewide small business advocacy organization; discover new economic recovery options from the American Rescue Plan and the Colorado Recovery Plan; and discuss the economic impacts and potential benefits of Colorado’s new climate action legislation. Breakfast provided!

When: Monday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 - 10 AM
Where: Center for Innovation - 835 Main Ave., Suite 225 on the 2ndfloor of the Main Mall - (remote option is available)

For more information and to register visit the Good Business Colorado events page
If You Care About Compost - Share Your Voice!

A key La Plata County meeting is coming up on October 28 to finalize the permitting for the upgraded Table to Farm compost facility, allowing them to scale-up food waste diversion in our community! It is critical for the La Plata County Planning Commission hear positive support for waste diversion and the creation of compost that will be greatly expanded thanks to this new 4-acre facility.

When: Thursday, October 28, 6 PM

Contact Monique for more information for how you can support through public comment
We the Power - Climate Action and Film Screening

Join San Juan Citizen's Alliance to get involved with local climate action through participating in Tri-State's Energy Resource Plan and the Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission's greenhouse gas regulation process. Also, watch the Patagonia film We The Power and have a conversation with the filmmaker.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 5:30 PM
Where: online over Zoom

For more information and to register, visit the SJCA event sign-upsite
Green Drinks is Back In Person!

Your favorite sustainability happy hour, Durango Green Drinks, is happy to be the place where you can come together and meet other folks who care about the same things you do! Hosts this month are Grand Canyon Trust and American Rivers - both regional and national organizations with local offices.  

When: Thursday Oct 28, from 5 - 6:30 PM
Where: 11st Street Station!

More information at the monthly Durango Green Drinks Facebook event page
Opportunities
Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more!
Lots of Organizations Will Be Sharing Opportunities at the Sustainability Summit!

Be sure to come by the expo portion of the event from 5-6 PM on Tuesday October 19 in the FLC Amphitheater to connect with local organizations that have jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities!
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
What We're Diggin'
News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond
Autumn is harvest time - nourish your soul with whatever it needs.
Environmental Center | Fort Lewis College | 970-247-7676 | envcenter@fortlewis.edu