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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Friends for Life
In this seemingly endless time of being encouraged to stay at home and limit our contacts, many of us are longing for companionship. It may seem impossible to make new connections right now; but it's not. Look no further than your nearest animal shelter or pet rescue service! Today I stumbled across an article full of facts about puppies of all kinds, and it seemed like just the dose of happy news to share in this week's EC Digest!
Many animals seek companionship similar to humans, and dogs can even sense when you're happy or sad, making them very caring friends. Researchers have reason to believe that dogs are aware they can guilt trip you by making puppy eyes, and they use it to their advantage! Fascinatingly, they seem to have a sense of fairness, so they while they do use the trick quite a bit, they may make an effort not to manipulate their human friends too excessively.
Having a dog helps people lead a healthier lifestyle, since they need outside time and exercise like walks to remain their happiest selves. One more thing speaking of going on walks: meeting people outside alongside your pet might actually make you more attractive to other humans! Maybe it's because it takes a caring and attentive person to have a happy pet, and who doesn't love those qualities?
It's important to remember that amid all our work to fight for positive change, we also need to know how to take care of ourselves and find happiness in our own lives. Maybe the time is right to do some good for yourself and adopt a pet out there looking for a home! The most sustainable option by far is to adopt a rescue dog, so check out Parker's Animal Rescue and La Plata County Humane Society. (Oh and did we mention the human society also has an awesome thrift store? Zero waste and helping animals - win win!)
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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Get Involved with the EC Today! |
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Getting connected with the EC is easy. We have opportunities for everyone, from folks just looking to meet some like-minded friends, to students looking to apply for a PAID position in a more involved and committed leadership role. The first step is to simply fill out our member sign-up form (and share it with anyone else you know who would be interested)!
Want to learn more? Come to one of our online info sessions Wednesday or Thursday!
- Wednesday, Feb 3 at 6 PM
- Thursday, Feb 4 at 1 PM
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Click here to join at either meeting time – meeting ID: 978 4485 7458 (the meeting link is the same for both days)
Questions about membership or applying to be a Project Lead, email EC Assistant Coordinator, Sadie, at srmagnifico@fortlewis.edu.
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The EC on our fall retreat where we planted baby spruce saplings with Mountain Studies Institute and the US Forrest Service |
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Get $ Funding $ for Your Sustainability Idea with FLC's Sustainability Grant
FLC's annual Sustainability Initiative Grant is open for applications! $1,450 is available to winning applicants with innovative and impactful projects to make FLC more environmentally sustainable. Please note that we use the broadest definition possible for environmental sustainability and are pleased to accept a wide variety of applications. For example, you could propose research or an event related to environmental justice, ways to improve access to environmentally produced foods, infrastructure to reduce waste on campus, and much more!
Applications due Feb 25 by 5 PM
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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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(Virtual) Green Business Roundtable: Local Investing |
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Join nationally renowned author and economist, Michael Shuman, to learn about local investing! In this uncertain time, many are looking to invest in causes and companies that are closer to their home communities. If this strikes true for you, join the virtual event to find out how to make better investments for yourself and your neighbors!
When: Wednesday, Feb 10 from 12-1 PM
Where: online
Visit the GBR webpage for more information and to register for this event!
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Sign Up for an Old Fort CSA Today
Community Share Agriculture (CSA) is like a fresh local food subscritpion! Every week during the growing season you get a batch of fresh veggies from our very own Old Fort farm. The CSA returns for a 7th season, with pickups in Durango, Hesperus, and Mancos. The CSA features the very best veggies from our fields, tended by beginning farmers at 7600’ in Hesperus.
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LEED Certification to Boost Your Credentials
Gaining a LEED certification can often be a trying task, and that's where this training program comes in! Whether you prefer a self-paced course or live webinar, there's an option for you. Becoming LEED certified is a valuable asset in the world of sustainability, so consider signing up for the course today! (FLC student special: use the code 'green' for $50 off the price of the course... thank us when you land that internship!)
When: dates available throughout the spring
Cost: $200 ($50 discount for FLC students)
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Rio Rica Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Rio Rica follows Rica Fulton's adventure discovering the interconnectivity of watersheds as she explores the Little Snake River, a tributary to the Yampa on the CO – WY border. The event will use the film as a jumping-off point for a panel discussion on the role that rivers like the Little Snake can play in a changing world, in terms of ecological processes, community resilience and recreation.
When: Wednesday, Feb 10 at 4 PM
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Winter Bike to Work Day
Winter bike to work day is February 26th! Go green, get outside, and win prizes participating in this annual event! The Environmental Center will be gathering up a team of interested FLC students, staff, and faculty.
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Changing Rivers Virtual Conference
Since 2001, RiversEdge West has been hosting an annual conference that focuses on impacts to riparian habitat in the Southwestern U.S. Connect with others in your field who are managing or studying riparian lands and stream environments and discover novel techniques, scientific findings, and lessons learned that make restoration successful! The conference will feature a mix of live sessions and panels with interactive discussion, pre-recorded presentations followed by live Q&A, field tours, and demonstrations, as well as plenty of virtual networking opportunities!
When: February 17-18 (Weds-Thurs), and 23-25 (Tues-Thurs), from roughly 10 AM to 3 PM each day.
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Jobs, Scholarships, Internships, and more! |
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Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado is 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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Rocky Mountain Field Institute Earth Corps
Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) is recruiting undergraduate students for its annual college-accredited field studies course, Earth Corps. Earth Corps is an 18-day field studies course that provides motivated, environmentally conscious undergraduate students the opportunity to live and learn in the incredible natural classroom of the Colorado mountains. Students who complete the program will earn 4 college credits in Geography transferable to their respective college/university and will also receive a Natural Resource Technician Certificate. (Be sure to check with your advisor that these credits will transfer to FLC.)
Applications Due March 1
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Durango Trails is Hiring for a Trail Crew Lead
Are you interested in the unique opportunity to join a leading nonprofit organization in the outdoor industry? Do you want to combine your passion for the outdoors and recreation with your career?
Durango Trails is currently hiring for a seasonal (March-October) full-time Trail Crew Lead!
Applications due February 12
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Sustainability Leadership Training
Apply to gain knowledge often missed in the classroom! If you want to make a difference in the world of sustainability, this is a great resource for you. This day-long workshop earns you access to a network of like-minded professionals and students upon completion, as well as scholarship for continuing education.
When: Saturday, March 6 from 9 AM to 5 PM
Where: online
Cost: $10
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Learn about Environmental Advocacy as a Career Choice
Careers in environmental advocacy encompass climate change mitigation/adaptation, conservation, natural resource management, policy-making, and so much more. But for many, environmental advocacy goes beyond the day-to-day activities of the workplace to something larger…perhaps a calling or a practice, or both. This session will draw on insights from ecological psychology, social cognitive theory, and emotional intelligence, among others, in proposing a framework for professional development. In addition, we will cover effective career management strategies and tips for environmental advocacy professionals who are new to or preparing to enter the field.
When: Wednesday, Feb 24 at 10 AM
Where: online
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RAY Diversity Fellowship for POC Interested in Clean Energy and Conservation
Inspired by efforts to increase racial diversity in environmentally-related sectors, the Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Diversity Fellowship Program supports two cohorts of Fellows per year: RAY Conservation Fellows and RAY Clean Energy Fellows. The RAY Fellowship Program aims to increase and facilitate conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy-related career pathways for emerging leaders of color.
Applications accepted through February and March, 2021
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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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Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national grassroots organization, led by women, that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Conceived by older women who love wilderness, Broads gives voice to the millions of Americans who want to protect their public lands as Wilderness for this and future generations. As a women*-led organization, they bring knowledge, leadership, and humor to the conservation movement to protect our last wild places on earth.
*(For Broads, the term “women” includes and represents anyone who self-identifies as a woman.)
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News and Inspiration from Our Community and Beyond |
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- Fast fashion is over, and these climate activists are here to show you how to look even better while living sustainably and supporting good conditions for workers!
- An indigenous tribe is using agroforestry to make a profit while protecting a species of endemic palm trees!
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STAY CONNECTED - Like and Follow the EC! |
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