ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES NEWSLETTER

October 3, 2005


In this issue:

** Upcoming ES Events: Tiger expert featured in Tuesday’s Hollis Lecture  

** ES Program news: New Spring Course: The Environment and Human Health

** Campus Sustainability:  It is SUSTAINABILITY MONTH, &

 Colby students get signatures needed to force vote on bottled water tax.     

** Also on Campus: Jan Plan signups start Monday!  What are you doing ??

** Beyond Colby:  Joanna Macy in Maine, upcoming courses and conferences

** Jobs and Internships:  Organic gardening in CA, Environmental Ed here in Maine,

                                       and more

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** Upcoming ES Events:

Hollis Lecture

“A Field Biologist's Odyssey: A Lifetime of Discovery”

Dr. Ron Tilson, Director of Conservation, Minnesota Zoo

Tuesday October 4

7:00 pm in Olin 1

Dr. Ronald Tilson will talk about his international wildlife research and conservation efforts and how his experiences early in life and as a student led him to become one of the world's foremost authorities on tigers.  Dr. Tilson has lived and carried out field work in some of the most remote regions of Asia, Africa, and South America. Author of over 200 popular and scientific articles, he has received numerous honors and awards, including the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's International Award in Conservation and its Significant Achievement Award in Conservation.

 

Ron Tilson grew up camping, fishing and hunting in southern Montana.  He went to the University of California at Davis, earning BS and MS degrees in Entomology, and a Ph.D. in Ecology after 3-years of fieldwork in the primitive Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.  Next was a 4-year post-doctorate at the Desert Ecological Research Institute in Namibia.  Along the way he served in both the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia.

** ES Program news

Mellon grant supports new spring course.

Following a successful Women and the Environment course last Jan Plan, Research Scientist, Gail Carlson will offer the following spring course:

ES298  The Environment and Human Health    Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45 AM

Four credit hours.  Carlson

An examination of how human health is impacted by our physical, chemical, biological, and social environments; how we measure the effects of these determinants at the level of the cell, tissue, individual, and population; and how we assess these determinants in order to make regulatory decisions. Topics include the basic concepts of toxicology, epidemiology, and risk assessment, as well as the specific human health effects of various forms of pollution, radiation, synthetic chemicals, global climate change, and biodiversity loss. Students will conduct a community-wide audit of potential environmental health threats as part of the course. Prerequisite: Environmental Studies 118.

 

 

** Campus Sustainability

We have declared October Campus Sustainability Month. A calendar of events will be finalized and sent out early this week. Look for a table in Cotter to learn more about campus sustainability!

Colby students more petition over crucial threshold

This past month a handful of Colby environmental and biology students helped

out a statewide effort spearheaded by H20 for Maine.  Colby students contributed approximately 450 signatures collected on campus and around the Waterville community.  H2O for Maine collected a total of over 50,000 signatures around the state in support of placing a referendum on the 2006 ballot.  The referendum asks that Nestle Corporation, which recently bought out Poland Springs, gets taxed a few cents on every bottle of water they extract from Maine.  This money will be placed in a water dividend trust. The trust will ensure a portion of the money Nestle is making off Maine's groundwater remains in Maine: it will fund conservation, small business loans and other local efforts.  The referendum also stipulates that Nestle have an independent monitor to ensure that it harvests the groundwater in a sustainable manner. The signatures are still in the process of being reviewed, but if the signatures are verified the referendum will appear on the ballot in 2006.  For more information check out: http://www.waterdividendtrust.com/

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** Also on Campus

Jan Plan sign ups start on Monday

Students planning to do an internship or independent study must apply using the "Field Experience" or "Independent Study, Honors" links on the registrar's web site respectively, the same as for a fall or spring semester. You will want to get an early start on the process, which involves subsequent faculty approvals. You can use the links on the registrar’s website which will be activated for Jan Plan on Monday, October 3rd.  

Competitive Mellon grant funds are available for Jan Plan

The Environmental Studies Program has been awarded a grant by the Mellon Foundation to fund several environmental internship stipends. The amount of money available for each stipend will depend on the nature of the internship, the anticipated budget and financial needs of the applicant, and the availability of other resources including the employer's ability to provide partial compensation. Total awards will range from $600 to $3,000. Applications should be submitted to Beth Kopp, 221 Lunder, beth.kopp@colby.edu

Check out this website (or talk to Beth) for application criteria:

http://www.colby.edu/grants/esmellon/stipends.htm

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**Beyond Colby

Joanna Macy Comes to Maine

Maine Earth Institute, will bring activist and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy to Maine October 13.  Macy's work focuses on supporting a shift from an industrial growth society to a life-sustaining one (see www.joannamacy.net). She excels at helping us squarely face our world's most challenging realities and renew our commitments to fight for life on Earth.

Macy will give a public talk, "Taking Heart in Tough Times," at the Camden Opera House on Thursday, October 13, at 7 p.m. 

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The 10th Annual “National Hispanic Sustainable Energy and Environmental Conference and Career Fair”

November 5-8, 2005 Sponsored by the National Seattle, WA Hispanic Env Council  

The Conference is the only national event of its kind, designed to educate Latinos

and other minorities in general about the need to be environmentally conscious and

proactive. It is an unmatched learning, networking, and recruiting vehicle

for the Latino environmental community, and for many others.

 

Conference Sponsors include the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Dept. of Interior and

the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, among others. For example, participating DOI

agencies include the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. At

USDA, participating agencies include the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources

Conservation Service. Like last year, EPA, DOI, USDA and other generous supporters have helped underwrite the Conference, especially the student “Travel Scholarships”. Other sponsors in the public, private and non-profit sectors are also

supporting the Conference.

 

The 2004 conference was a great success. It brought together 400 Latino and

other minority students and professional attendees from a wide range of

environmental disciplines, such as: environmental engineers and scientists; forest and

park service managers; environmental educators; natural resource and conservation

managers; environmental health and safety experts; environmental justice and community activists; green group representatives; academics; and many more.

   

For students, visit our web page at www.nheec.org for more details, especially as

to who is eligible and how to apply for a travel scholarship. For further information/

questions, e-mail Juan Rodriguez, Programs Coordinator, at jrodriguez@nheec.org

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Wild Rockies Field Institute WINTER and SPRING FIELD COURSES:  NEW DATES!

The WILD ROCKIES FIELD INSTITUTE (WRFI) offers field-based, academic courses for 300-level credit in departments such as Environmental Studies, Anthropology, Forestry, Geography, Science, and Native American Studies.  These courses are taught completely in the backcountry in places like Montana, Utah, Washington, Alaska, the Boundary Waters, Canada and Mexico. Courses are offered year-round. Upcoming courses listed below.

Natural History of Baja:  Winter break. December 28-January 9, 2006. A two-week, sea kayaking adventure in the stunning Sea of Cortez and desert landscape of Baja. Experience a journey of ecological and personal discovery as we kayak between remote fishing villages and snorkel in Mexicoís Sea of Cortez.  Investigate the diversity of marine wildlife, the fascinating plants of the Sonoran Desert, and the regionís rich cultural history. Application deadline is October 20. (2 semester credits in Environmental Studies)

Yucatan Cultural Ecology: Spring break! NEW DATES! March 19-25 or March 26-April 1, 2006. Join us for a different kind of Spring Break as we explore biodiversity and sustainable agriculture in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, homeland of the Maya people.  Study the cultural ecology of the present-day Yucatec Maya, and explore the patchwork of fields and tropical forest that contributes stability and productivity to their traditional agricultural practices and household economy.  In the course of our study, we will visit archeological sites and present-day milpas, and live the outdoor, rural life with families in Mayan villages. Application deadline is February 1. (2 semester credits in Anthropology or Forestry)

Canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau: Spring term in the southwest. March 26-May 25, 2006. Study desert ecology, regional geography, Native American cultures, and issues of ecological sustainability while backpacking in Utahís canyon country, kayaking Labyrinth Canyon of the Green River, and visiting Native American reservations. Application deadline is December 20. (6 semester credits in Environmental Studies, 3 credits in Geography, and 3 credits in Science)

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"Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change" is a partnership between the Marion Institute, the Small Planet Fund, the New England Grass Roots Fund, The Coalition for Buzzards Bay, UMASS Dartmouth and a wide array of local colleges and grassroots organizations — ensuring that this event becomes a profoundly inspiring, dynamic and successful annual experience. This conference features a live satellite downlink of the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA. Visit the Bioneers www.bioneers.org for more information about the Bioneers Conference and our partnership.

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Winter Ecology at the Center for Northern Studies

Winter Ecology offered at The Center for Northern Studies/Sterling College in Vermont. Biology or ES students might be interested. It's 4 credits and runs January 4-24.

Also coming up quickly is our Peatlands Ecology Workshop in Bear Swamp

with Jill Bubier on October 14 and 15.  A bit later in February we will be

having a Winter Encampment with Alexandra and Garrett Connover of Maine

Woods Ways.  We love to have visitors with interests in the North at any

or all of these events, and we hope you will share our fliers with your

students and colleagues.

 

We are also actively recruiting for Winter Ecology in January, our full

suite of courses in the spring, and our ever-popular field course in the

Northern Isles of Scotland.  More information is at our website:

www.sterlingcollege.edu/cns, or can be had from Sue Hering, our new

academic intern <north@sterlingcollege.edu, 802/888-4331).

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** Jobs and Internships

Unilever/SCA National Park Congressional Internship Program

Imagine yourself in a policy internship on Capitol Hill. Then, imagine you are placed at one of our national parks to experience the outcome of the public policy process you have witnessed in D.C. Sponsored by Unilever, a multinational foods and products corporation, and administered by the Student Conservation Association, these internships are a two-part experience. The summer portion of the internship will take place at a National Park to be determined (2005 sites were Yellowstone National Park, Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park, Fort Sumter National Historical Site and Channel Islands National Seashore). You will participate in visitor education and

other specialized duties depending on your major and prior work experience. During the winter semester enjoy a paid internship on Capitol Hill in either a Republican or Democratic Congressional office where you will observe how legislation and policy impacts our National Parks.

Dates: January 2006 - August 2006

Number of positions available: 3

Applications Due: October 19, 2005

Applications not received and completed by this date will be disqualified.

Require:

Detailed resume

Directed writing sample (email contact below for prompts) and transcripts

Strong communication skills, verbal and written

Availability for all interviews, orientation and full internship program

Applicants considered eligible up to one year after receipt of BA or BS

Desire: Current undergraduates with some professional experience, strong GPA, interest in policy and environmental issues, and a willingness to work with either a Republican or Democratic Congressional office.

To apply, send resume and cover letter to:

Clarissa Mendez, Special Initiatives Manager

The Student Conservation Association

CMendez@theSCA.org

FAX: 703-524-2451 PHONE: 703-524-2441

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Organic Gardening Internships at Camphill Vilage
Organization: Camphill Village Kimberton Hills
Contact: Nell Hazinski
Email: information@camphillkimberton.org
Description: Interns participate in all aspects of biodynamic, organic gardening in a 110-share
CSA Garden. Theoretical training accompanies practical work. There are two positions: one beginning immediately, one in November.
Qualifications: You must be at least 19 years old, healthy, energetic, patient and flexible. We ask that you have an interest in farming, biodynamic agriculture, nature, and/or sustainable living.
Location: Kimberton, PA
Duration: 1 year
Start Date: immediately, and in November
Hours: 8AM to 5 PM with longer hours in the growing season
Compensation: This is a volunteer position which offers room/board, $120 pocket money, insurance, use of village cars, and at the end of a year of service, an Americorps education award of $4725.
Application Procedure: Inquire by email, or apply online at www.camphillkimberton.org.  

The Sierra Club of Maine is looking for help with the Maine Woods Campaign

Help Protect Maine's North Woods - Join our action alert and letter-writing team; help identify and recruit other Maine Woods activists; set up a presentation/event in your area; work directly with our Maine Woods staff to promote big wilderness protection. More information http://maine.sierraclub.org/volunteer.htm

Volunteers Needed to Lead Nature Walks with Maine Audubon

Portland, Falmouth and Freeport

Lead "Nature Explorations" (guided nature walks) at Fore River Audubon Sanctuary in Portland, Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth and Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary in Freeport. These 1 ½- and 2-hour “Exploring the Secrets of Nature” programs for groups of all ages are offered in the morning and early afternoon Monday through Friday from late September through November. No previous knowledge or teaching experience is necessary to lead the walks. Volunteers will learn teaching techniques and forest and wetland ecology, and can learn how to lead an entire walk or just a few stations at one or all sites. In-depth internships are available. Volunteers planning to attend the training sessions should contact Linda Woodard at (207) 781-2330, ext. 213, or smac@maineaudubon.org

 

Beth is in Lunder 221 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays