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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 20, 2008
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In this issue:
** ES EVENTS:  Off campus study information session, Lunchtime Colloquium, Evening lecture, Lunch with Environmental Attorney, Ted Wolff ‘86
** CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY:   Sustainability Month Continues
** MELLON INTERNSHIP STIPEND:   Application Deadline is November 17 for Jan plan internship stipends
** ALSO ON CAMPUS: "Veterinary Medical Careers: Practice, Conservation, Research and So Much More!", Grad School Fair
** JOBS & INTERNSHIPS:  Green Corps 2009-2010 Field School for Environmental Organizing, Alternatives for Community and Environment, Alliance for the Great Lakes
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** ES EVENTS:
Tuesday, October 21
7:00 pm, Diamond 223
Discussion: ES Off-Campus Study Opportunities
Join Professor Cathy Bevier, and four students who were abroad last year, for a discussion about the various off campus study opportunities. Don’t miss this if you are thinking of going abroad!

Wednesday, October 22
Noon in the Fairchild Room in Dana. Join us at 11:30 for lunch with Scott.
“Personal and Professional Responsibility as We Tread on Mother Earth” (New title)

Scott Cowger is the owner and innkeeper of the Maple Hill Farm B&B in Hallowell, which has been awarded with Maine's first "Environmental Leader" Green Lodging Inn Certification by the Maine DEP. He will be discussing  what we should do as individuals and businesses to minimize our impact on the environment, with a focus on climate change, while we are here on the planet. He will share what he has done as a business owner to implement this commitment, and he will give examples of times that some business decisions (at least for socially responsible businesses) are not necessarily based on the bottom line but are an important part of being a good corporate citizen, and are important to make a contribution back to society and the planet on which we live.  
ES 401 credit

Thursday October 23, 2008
7:00 pm in Lovejoy 215
"Love the trees: they are creatures like ourselves: Russian Writers and Environmental Ethics"
This lecture is open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Department of German and Russian, and Environmental Studies Program.

Friday, October 24
12:00 in the Fairchild Room in Dana (Meet at Russ’s office, Olin 224 at 11:30 to walk over to Dana)
Have lunch with an Environmental Attorney, Ted Wolff, ‘86
Interested in a career in environmental law? Colby alum, Ted Wolff has offered to talk with students interested in this career.

More about Ted:
Mr. Wolff's environmental practice includes both litigation and transactional work.  His litigation experience in federal and state, administrative and judicial actions includes enforcement, cost recovery, Superfund, toxic tort (including groundwater, indoor air, and chemical exposure cases), regulatory compliance, and permitting-related matters.  Mr. Wolff also specializes in corporate compliance counseling, advising retail, real estate, and industrial clients on health, safety, and environmental auditing as well as development and implementation of corporate environmental management systems.
Mr. Wolff has worked extensively with federal, state, and local regulators to develop nontraditional approaches to address contaminated property to facilitate property restoration, redevelopment, reuse, or sale.  He has assisted in creating and implementing novel site closure plans using public-private partnerships, insurance, and creative financing mechanisms for potentially responsible parties and developers, alike.
He has counseled clients on compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and rules which regulate air pollution; pesticides; use and handling of PCBs; hazardous substance and hazardous waste handling, storage, treatment, and disposal; asbestos handling, management, and abatement; and employee and community disclosure (including SARA Title III and the Hazard Communication Standard).  Mr. Wolff also advises clients on environmental aspects of land transfers and on issues arising out of other real estate and corporate transactions.
Mr. Wolff also represents creditors and debtors in regard to environmental matters in bankruptcy, including valuing environmental liabilities for cleanup and compliance obligations, abandoning and discharging environmentally impaired properties, and negotiating and participating in adversarial proceedings with regulators and other third parties.
Prior to law school, Mr. Wolff worked as an environmental consultant, conducting hazardous waste site investigations, facility audits, radiation surveys, and environmental compliance assessments.


** CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY:  
Sustainability Month Continues
Bike to the Farmers’ Market!
Go before the good weather runs out and enjoy the Maine’s beautiful fall season.  This will be the second last trip by Enviro-Co. As always meet on Thursday 4.15pm, by the ibike stand.   

Lunch Discussion: The Role of the Individual in Climate Change Justice
Friday 24th October, 12 – 1pm, Foss Private Room
Join Oak Fellow, Afsan Chowdhury, and Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in International Environmental Human Rights, Janette Bulkan, for an informal discussion on whether the current technocentric framing of the discourse on climate change meets the urgent challenges that confront our generation. A brief introductory talk will be followed by an interactive session in which students will have a chance to discuss and challenge various perspectives on the role of individual actors in the climate change debate. Please email Li Yu at lychan@colby.edu if you’d like to participate or have questions.
To compliment the discussion, students are encouraged to read “Losing the Ground Beneath Their Feet,” a human interest article on vulnerable people on the frontline of climate change in Bangladesh by anthropologist and acclaimed novelist Tahmima Anam. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/04/climatechange.flooding?gusrc=rss&feed=books

** MELLON INTERNSHIP STIPEND OPPORTUNITY:
Environmental Studies Jan plan Internship Stipends
The Environmental Studies Program has been awarded a grant by the Mellon Foundation to fund several environmental internship stipends annually. 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. Applications should be submitted via email to Beth Kopp, 208 Diamond <beth.kopp@colby.edu> by November 17.

    Criteria for Environmental Internship Stipends:


    Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria above. Successful applicants will be awarded their stipends pending their agreement to the terms of the award.

If you have questions, email me <beth.kopp> or stop by Diamond 208. Check out these past Mellon recipients: http://www.colby.edu/environ/beyond/intern/


** ALSO ON CAMPUS:
"Veterinary Medical Careers: Practice, Conservation, Research and So Much More!"
Mark Pokras, DVM and Associate Professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University will speak on Wednesday, October 22 at noon in the Whitney Room (2nd floor Roberts). If you are considering careers in veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation or environmental research, join us for an informative talk. Students and faculty are invited to bring their tray lunch or brown bag. RSVPs on the Career Center's Colby Connect are appreciated but not required.

At 2:00, Prof. Pokras will be available in the Career Center Library to talk with individual students about the Veterinary School at Tufts. Contact Cate Talbot Ashton at ctashton@colby.edu if you would like to schedule a time to speak with Prof. Pokras in the Career Center.

Graduate School Fair
Tuesday, October 21
3:30 - 5:00
Cotter Union
Over 85 representatives will be available to speak with students about over 450 graduate program opportunities at the master's and doctorate levels. This event is open to all students - seniors applying to graduate school this year or considering graduate school in the future, and first-year students, sophomores, and juniors who want to explore the possibility of graduate school. A list of the participating schools and the programs they represent can be found at http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/resources/offices/careerservices/upload/2008GradFairAttendanceList.pdf
Please come and visit with our guests at this fair!


** JOBS & INTERNSHIPS:
Green Corps
** Applications due Oct. 24, 2008 – apply online today at http://www.greencorps.org **
Green Corps 2009-2010 Field School for Environmental Organizing
Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.
In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Greenpeace. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.  
For more information, read below, watch our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvuSCMZeTuc or visit our web site: www.greencorps.org.
In your year with Green Corps:
You’ll get great training with some of the most experienced organizers in the field: Green Corps organizers take part in trainings with leading figures in the environmental and social change movements: people such as Adam Ruben, political director of MoveOn.org, and Bill McKibben, author and organizer of the “Step It Up” rallies for climate action.
You’ll get amazing experience working on environmental issues across the country: Green Corps sends organizers to jumpstart campaigns for groups such as Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Environment America in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and dozens of other places in between.  
You’ll have a real impact on some of the biggest environmental problems we’re facing today: Green Corps organizers have built the campaigns that helped keep the Arctic safe from drilling, that led to new laws that support clean, renewable energy, that convinced major corporations to stop dumping in our oceans and much, much more.
You’ll even get paid: Green Corps Organizers earn a salary of $23,750. Organizers also have a chance to opt into our health care program with a pre-tax monthly salary deferral. We offer paid sick days and holidays, two weeks paid vacation and a student loan repayment program for those who qualify.  
And when you graduate from the program, you’ll be ready for what comes next: Green Corps will help connect you to environmental and progressive groups that are looking for full-time staff to build their organizations and help them create social change and protect our environment.  
In the next few months, we‘ll invite 35 college graduates to join Green Corps in 2009-2010. We’re looking for people who are serious about saving the planet, people who have taken initiative on their campus or community, and people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work for change over the long haul.
If you think you’re one of those people, visit http://www.greencorps.org/apply to submit your application to join the 2009-2010 class of Green Corps’ Field School for Environmental Organizing.  
Green Corps’ year-long program begins in August 2009 with Introductory Classroom Training in Boston, and continues with field placements in multiple locations across the U.S. Candidates must be willing to relocate.
For more information, visit www.greencorps.org or contact Dan Cannon, Green Corps Field Organizer, at dan@greencorps.org or 440-724-4716.

Volunteer and Intern Opportunities
Alternatives for Community and Environment
ACE seeks volunteers and interns in a variety of areas to help advance our work. These include communications, development, legal and technical assistance. For more information, please contact us at info@ace-ej.org.
1) Fall 2008 Development/Communications Interns
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) seeks interns interested in joining the greater movement for civil and environmental rights. Based in Roxbury, ACE is a non-profit environmental justice organization that builds the power of lower income communities and communities of color in New England to achieve environmental justice for all, regardless of race or class. We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and to be decision makers in issues affecting our communities. ACE organizes residents, provides legal/technical support to community groups, develops youth leadership and coordinates campaigns on critical environmental justice issues.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of ACE’s Development/Communications staff, Development/Communications interns will assist in planning and implementation of fundraising and communication activities throughout the year, including:
• Assist with logistics and organizing of ACE’s annual Celebration and Fundraiser, Jammin’ for Justice.
• Communicate about ACE events such as our annual conference, campaigns and member events by writing and editing press releases, email alerts, and calendar items.
• Attend and participate in events like house party fundraisers, member socials and our Annual Meeting
• Update press and donor information
• Provide support for member and campaign appeals
ACE interns play a crucial role in helping to broaden the visibility and effectiveness of campaigns and development work. The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in organizational planning sessions, learn about our environmental justice campaigns and programs, and work closely with our vibrant, committed and fun staff. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a community-based non-profit working for social justice and systemic change.
Qualifications
Team player, self-starter, quick learner, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment • Computer savvy; familiar with Word, Excel, Internet, and Database software. Desktop publishing experience a plus • Detail oriented and conscientious work style • Good writing and editing skills • Understanding and commitment to social and environmental justice work • Spanish fluency a plus • Knowledge of the Boston neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan a plus
Hours and Compensation
This internship is offered all year and time requirements are flexible. Occasionally, some evening and weekend hours may be needed. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2008. Volunteer opportunities are available for this fall, please contact us for details. This position is unpaid, though workstudy arrangements may be available and we encourage students to explore school-based funding opportunities. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
To apply
Please send a resume and cover letter addressing the following questions:
1) Describe your interest in environmental justice.
2) Drawing from your life experiences, how do you envision your role working for and in a lower income community of color?
3) What do you hope to learn from this internship?
Also, please let us know your timeframe and how many hours a week would you like to work. (For example: I'm looking for an internship from September 29 through December 12, for 24 hours a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.)
ACE welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. We are an anti-racist, anti-classist organization and encourage honest, straight-forward answers. If possible, please keep cover letters to one page.
Please send resumes and cover letters to:
Celina Lee, Membership and Communications Coordinator, celina@ace-ej.org
Or mail to:
ACE: Attn: Celina
2181 Washington Street, Suite 301
Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617.442.3343 x232 Fax: 617.442.2425 e-mail: celina@ace-ej.org

ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
2008-2009 WATER QUALITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
Home to 20% of the world’s fresh surface water supply; consisting of five large bodies of water that cross two national boundaries; the Great Lakes are a priceless natural treasure. Formed in 1970, the Alliance for the Great Lakes (formerly the Lake Michigan Federation) is made up of volunteers and professionals working to ensure that people can rely on the Great Lakes for clean drinking water, safe recreation, and natural beauty. With offices in Chicago, Grand Haven, Mich., and Milwaukee the Alliance is the oldest independent Great Lakes citizens’ organization in North America. Our mission is to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife. For more information about the Alliance for the Great Lakes, please visit us at www.greatlakes.org.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BACKGROUND
With a focus on policy analysis, public involvement and non-partisan advocacy, an Alliance for the Great Lakes internship will help qualify emerging professionals for key environmental careers. Although Alliance internships are offered without pay, school credit can be arranged and we will work with applicants to recruit external fellowship support. The rewards are enormous for those who have a desire to protect one of the world’s greatest natural treasures.
INTERNSHIP DUTIES
The Water Quality Permit Intern will work directly with highly-qualified Alliance staff and will focus on reviewing water quality data for Great Lakes beaches, research concerning the effects of pharmaceutical pollution, strengthening pollution limits on dischargers, reducing airborne mercury in the Great Lakes and other tasks in support of the Water Quality Program. The length of the internship is flexible, but does require a minimum three month commitment.
ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS
    While a technical background in water quality would be a plus for this position, it is not a requirement. Many Alliance interns have gone on to become successful environmental professionals. Interns will require a variety of skill sets, but general qualifications must include:
•    The ability to work with others in a small, friendly office setting.
•    Good research, and written and verbal communication skills.
•    Motivation to get results and learn quickly while not being hesitant to ask questions and seek guidance where needed.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Flexible hours are available.  Individuals interested in applying for an internship should send a resume, writing sample, and cover letter by October 16th, 2008 describing why they would like to work for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Candidates will be contacted directly if they are selected for an interview.  Please send applications to: Alliance for the Great Lakes, Water Quality Internship Program, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1390, Chicago, IL  60602


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