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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
October 8, 2007
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In this issue:
** UPCOMING ES PROGRAM EVENTS: ES Grad School Discussion on
Tuesday night
** ES PROGRAM NEWS:
Professor Tietenberg is seeking a research assistant
** CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY: Green Colby -- an open discussion about campus
sustainability, Greenhouse Gas Inventory
** ALSO ON CAMPUS: Goldfarb Grant Writing Workshop, Jim Fleming
delivers STS lecture, Columbia University rep on campus
** BEYOND COLBY: Real Food Summit, Maine League of Conservation
Voters host a Evening for the Environment
** FELLOWSHIP/GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: Goldfarb Offers Student
Research Grants, Campus Ecology Fellowships
** JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS: Maine State Museum, Earthjustice, Greenpeace,
Great Blue Inc, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Maine DOC
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** UPCOMING ES PROGRAM EVENTS:
ES Graduate School Night
Tuesday October 9
7:00 p.m. Olin 1
Thinking about going to graduate school? Visiting Professor Ngeta
Kabiri along with other ES faculty will be on hand to talk with ES majors and
minors about the process of choosing a graduate program. I hope you can join us
for this discussion!
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** ES PROGRAM NEWS:
Research Assistant
Professor Tietenberg seeks a research assistant to help him
prepare the next edition of his textbook. First preference will be given
to someone who has completed EC
231 and second preference to someone currently in EC 231. A working knowledge
of Excel would also be useful. Anyone who is interested should let Professor
Tietenberg know at: thtieten@colby.edu.
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** CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY:
Green Colby
Come to an open forum with students, faculty, administrators and
staff to discuss Colby's environmental efforts. Come with your ideas about
greening our campus!
Wednesday, October 10th
A tray lunch will start at 11:30 and the forum will begin at 12 in the Dana Fairchild Room
Do you want to Contribute to Colby's Sustainability?
One of the most important tools that Colby uses to monitor its
impact on climate change is the greenhouse gas emissions inventory. This
inventory, which is created using an Excel spreadsheet, is used both for internal decisions
about energy management and for keeping track of compliance with our reduction
commitments as part of the Maine Governor's Challenge. This inventory has been
updated and maintained for the last few years by Jamie O'Connell '08. Since
Jamie is a senior, we are looking for someone who would like to work with Jamie
this year to produce the 2007 inventory and to take on the principal
responsibility for a year or so after Jamie graduates. The ideal candidate
would be a first or second year student who cares about climate change and knows
Microsoft Excel. This is a paid position. If you are interested please contact
Tom Tietenberg at thtieten@colby.edu.
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** ALSO ON CAMPUS:
Workshop on Grant Writing
Students who are intending to apply for a Goldfarb Center Student
Research Grant are strongly encouraged to attend a workshop on grant writing
that will be conducted by faculty members who have reviewed previous grant
proposals. The workshop on grant
writing techniques will be held on Tuesday, October 9, at 4:30 in Diamond
146. It should last about an
hour. While attending this session
is not mandatory, students should know that the Goldfarb Center grants are extremely
competitive and the quality of the application will have a good deal of weight
as applications are reviewed.
The Climate Engineers
Prof. Jim Fleming
Friday, Oct. 12th, 2007, 4:00pm, Lovejoy 100
Cookies at 3:45pm
As alarm over global warming spreads, a radical idea is gaining
momentum. Forget cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions, some scientists argue. Find
a technological fix. Bounce sunlight back into space by pumping reflective
nanoparticles into the atmosphere. Launch irrors into orbit around the earth.
Create a "planetary thermostat." But what sounds like science fiction
is actually an old story with immense political, military, and ethical
implications.
Professor Fleming directs the Colby STS Program and has just
returned from a research leave in Washington, DC. He is currently writing a book about the climate engineers.
Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs
The 12-month Master of Public Administration in Environmental
Science and Policy program at Columbia University's School of International and
Public Affairs will be visiting Colby on Wednesday, October 10th. Interested
students will have the opportunity to speak with a program representative about
this intensive program and explore how this degree can help start a career in
environmental management, environmental policy or sustainable development. Students will also learn about the
application process, upcoming deadlines, as well as details about the courses.
Date: Wednesday, October 10
Location: Colby College, Cotter Union
Time: 3:30 - 5:00pm
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** BEYOND COLBY:
Real Food Summit: Students Mobilizing for Just and Sustainable
Food
November 3-4; Yale University
The Real Food Summit is a summit for students at colleges and
universities in the Northeast who are working on creating more just and
sustainable food systems on their campuses. The Summit will kick off the Real
Food Challenge, a collaborative initiative to galvanize a national movement
around food on college campuses. The Summit is geared primarily towards
students; however, faculty, administrators, dining services staff, food
producers, and non-profit/philanthropy staff are also welcome. The student
registration fee for the Real Food Summit is $25. The deadline for
pre-registration is October 17.
The Maine League of Conservation Voters
Evening for the Environment, a gathering of conservation and
political leaders
Special Guest Speaker
Bill McKibben
American conservationist, writer and national leader on global
warming
Thursday, October 11, 2007
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
University of Southern Maine -7th floor of the Glickman Library
314 Forest Avenue, Portland
$25 per person ($10 Student)
Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.
Let's make Maine's environment a political priority!
For more information: (207) 373-1221;
tracy@mlcv.org or www.mlcv.org
Please RSVP by October 5th. Register on-line at
https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?mlcv or mail form with check
(payable to MLCV) to MLCV 14 Maine Street Box 16, Brunswick, ME 04011.
** FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
CAMPUS ECOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS CALL FOR PROPOSALS!
Accepting Proposals Beginning November 1.
Proposals Due December 15.
Learn more at: www.nwf.org/campusecology/fellowships
NWF's Campus Ecology program is accepting proposals beginning
November 1, 2007, for the 2008 class of Campus Ecology Fellows. NWF is seeking
proposals from undergraduate and graduate students working with a team of
faculty, staff, or other students on projects to reduce their campus' carbon
footprint.
Global warming has emerged as the defining environmental issue of
the 21st century. Scientists agree that human-triggered greenhouse gas
pollution is the cause of increasing temperatures. At National Wildlife
Federation, we know we can't fully achieve our mandate to protect wildlife without
addressing global warming. That is why we are now asking Campus Ecology Fellows
to confront global warming on their individual campuses by committing to
reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 2%
per year, or 30% by 2020. Fellows also help to educate and engage the campus
community on global warming impacts and solutions.
Students are encouraged to submit fellowship proposals on a
variety of sustainability practices that work to reduce their school's carbon
footprint. These practices can include, but are not limited to:
*
Implementing energy efficiency and conservation initiatives on existing or new
buildings.
*
Conducting a greenhouse gas inventory and developing a climate action plan.
*
Co-hosting, with at least three other campuses, a gathering on global warming
solutions.
*
Designing and/or implementing green transportation options.
*
Installing or purchasing clean energy.
*
Initiating sustainable food systems.
* Increasing
and protecting wildlife habitat and green space on grounds and roof tops.
*
Designing supportive processes such as fiscal incentives, planning documents,
professional development, community outreach, and/or new policies, etc. to
address global warming awareness.
Fellowship grants of up to $2,000 are awarded.
To submit a proposal, go to:
www.nwf.org/campusecology/fellowships.
If you have any questions about NWF Campus Ecology Fellowships or
other opportunities, contact Kristin Kranendonk at 703-438-6265 or at
campus@nwf.org.
Goldfarb CALL FOR PROPOSALS -- STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS
The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
invites proposals from Colby students, regardless of major, for funding of
original research projects (including collaborative research) on topics related
to public affairs or civic engagement.
A wide range of student research projects may qualify for funding under
this program, however preference will be given to students working on honors
projects or independent studies or on extended class-related papers for which
no other adequate funding sources are available.
Funding: Grants will
range from $1000 - $3000, with maximum funding allocated to projects that are
either collaborative or for those that require international travel. Funds may
be allocated to cover any legitimate research expenses including, but not
limited to: purchase of research materials, travel, food, and lodging expenses
associated with data gathering.
Students may not qualify for stipends under this program, except for
unusual circumstances which should be specifically documented at the time of
the application. The Center hopes
to fund two or three projects from this round of applications.
Proposals: Applicants
should submit a proposal that clearly lays out the following information:
" the nature of the specific
project
" the topic's connection to the
mission of the Goldfarb Center
" a detailed research design to
include:
o the specific research
questions to be examined
o a literature review
o a clear indication of how data
will be gathered and how variables will be defined
o evidence that you have the
skills necessary to gather the information in this way
o a proposed timeline for
data-gathering and writing
" a proposed budget with details
of projected expenses
" the intended product
" a letter of endorsement from
the faculty member who will be sponsoring your research, indicating that he or
she has read your proposal and feels that you have the ability to carry it
through to completion
" an unofficial transcript of
your Colby courses
If the project involves human subjects, the proposal should be
submitted to Colby's Institutional Review Board simultaneously with submission
to the Goldfarb Center.
Product: The proposal
should specify the intended end product for the project and at least
preliminary thoughts on means of dissemination. The end project will be included in the Goldfarb Center's
web-based Working Paper Series. Students receiving funding under this program
will be expected to make presentations as part of the Colby Undergraduate
Research Symposium.
Goldfarb Center Student Fellows: Students receiving research
grants are named as Goldfarb Center Student Fellows for the academic year in
which their work is completed and should include that designation on all work
stemming from this grant. Goldfarb
Center Student Fellows are expected to attend Goldfarb Center events throughout
the year on a regular basis.
Deadline:
Applications for this round of funding are due by Monday, October 15.
Proposals will be evaluated by the Center's Faculty Steering Committee which
will make a recommendation to the Goldfarb Center Director. Decisions will be
announced by November 5.
Further information:
For further information, contact Goldfarb Center Assistant Director,
Marnie Terhune: mterhune@colby.edu. An information session at which students
will be given instructions as to how to submit grant proposals will be schedule
for early October. Watch carefully
for future announcements.
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** JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
Maine State Museum
The museum is hosting another large scale educational event on
Wed., Oct. 10th called Earth Science Day.
We would be delighted if any students would come down to help. We need help setting up a large tent
the night before, help early on the morning of the event to get the exhibitors
set up and then throughout the day with crowd control, exhibitor breaks and
orienting visitors. There will be
exhibitors from various state agencies, private non-profit groups and environmental
educators. If you have any
students who might want to network with these professionals, this would be a
good chance to do that while contributing community service. The event runs
from 9 to 3 but we could use help from any time from 8 to 4.
Please have anyone interested contact me at 287-2302 or
kris.weeks-oliveri@maine.gov .
Thanks,
Kris Weeks Oliveri
Coordinator of Volunteers
COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP Washington DC
Earthjustice attorneys use the legal system to enforce compliance
with federal regulations including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act,
and the National Environmental Policy Act. The intern works with the
communications department in Earthjustice's Washington, DC office to generate
media awareness of Earthjustice's legal work. The intern will assist
Earthjustice communications staff in preparation of press releases,
distribution of press releases, and tracking of press related to Earthjustice
issues. Interns also work on a variety of research and outreach projects and
perform administrative duties. Through the internship, the intern will learn
how public relations and press efforts function at a nonprofit environmental
organization. Applicants must currently be enrolled in college. They should
have some familiarity with media activities, though actual media experience is
not required. Applicants should have excellent writing, organizational, and
communication skills. A working knowledge of online research and MS Word is
required.
Applicants should email a brief cover letter and resume to
jsaylor@earthjustice.org with "Communications Internship" in the
subject line. Applications are accepted year-round.
TOXICS INTERN Washington DC
Greenpeace USA in Washington, DC seeks an intern for ensuring a
toxic free future by pressuring congress to stand up against the chemical
industry. This semester the two most important issues are chemical security and
electronic waste. Responsibilities: research on chemical security and
electronic waste, phone banking membership on legislative issues, assisting in
a priority international campaign, and assisting in additional projects as
needed. Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written
communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to work well
independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and
enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy
and comfortable on the phone. Application instructions: submit applications
electronically to: interns@wdc.greenpeace.org. Please include resume, cover
letter, and brief writing sample. Closing date 10/10/07.
Field Technician Stillwater NJ
Full-time field position with pond management company to assist
with the maintenance of fountain motors, aeration system compressors, small
outboard motors, sprayers and other field equipment. Reliable, motivated individual with attention to detail
& solid record keeping skills.
MUST have mechanical ability and map reading skills. Daily travel to work sites using
company vehicles. MUST have a
clean driving record. MUST be able
to lift 50 lbs. equipment/supplies and work outdoors under a variety of field
conditions. Responsibilities will
also include herbicide applications, shoreline planting projects and fish
surveys/removal projects.
Experience with the application of herbicides to aquatic sites a plus;
techinician/operator license in NJ a plus; boating experience a plus. Environmental
Science/Fisheries/Natural Resource degree or background preferred.
Salary commensurate with experience. Start date for this position: November, 2007.
Please send cover letter, resume and three references to Great
Blue Inc., Attention: Human Resources. via fax: 973-579-7259/e-mail:
greatblueinc@att.net (No phone calls, please).
Closing date for applications is: November 20, 2007
Conservation Leadership Program Monterey CA
The Monterey Institute of International Studies is pleased to
invite you to participate in the unique two week Conservation Leadership
Program (CLP) certificate course, from January 7 - 18th, 2008. Its innovative
curriculum delivers the necessary skills for current and future environmental
leaders. Graduates will to go on to manage and lead successful conservation
projects with local and global organizations. The two weeks will be divided
into ten key skill areas to be taught by Monterey Institute professor Jeffrey
Langholz, Foundations of Success Co-Founder Richard Margoluis and other
qualified professionals in the field from such organizations as, Elkhorn Slough
Foundation, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and The Big Sur Land Trust.
The program will concentrate on the formation of theoretical and technical
leadership skills such as:
Understanding the Conservation Project Cycle
Writing Meaningful Mission Statements
Using Comprehensive Site Assessment Tools
Creating Conservation Management Plans
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Building Project Teams and Boards
Leadership Ethics
Financial Management for Conservation Leaders
Effective Outreach and Media Relations
Conflict Resolution
A "Meet the leaders" session will convene throughout the
course, allowing students contact time with local conservation leaders to ask questions
about the material, broaden their professional networks, and give the course
even more real world applicability. Located in historic downtown Monterey, just
blocks from Fisherman's Wharf, the Monterey Institute campus provides access to
a wide range of activities. Participants can take advantage of their time in
beautiful Monterey with weekend hikes in Big Sur, visits to Carmel, and group
outings in the evenings. The course will meet daily 9am-4pm from January 7th to
18th on the Monterey Institute of International Studies campus. The course fee
is $1,750 and applications are due October 31st 2007.
For more information about the program see our website at
www.miis.edu/clp. If you have any questions or for an application please feel
free to contact us at clpprogram@miis.edu.
Maine Department of Conservation
Biologist II (Community Ecologist)
The Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas is seeking candidates for
a Community Ecologist in Augusta. The Community Ecologist will be responsible
for planning and implementing field-based inventory to document the
distribution and status of Maine's natural communities and rare, threatened and
endangered plants. The Community Ecologist will develop element occurrence
specifications for forest community types and maintain the state's natural
community classification while summarizing and analyzing information on the
status and trends of biodiversity in Maine and communicating the results in
both written and oral form to a variety of audiences. The Community Ecologist
will also provide scientific support to private landowners and to public
landowners (Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Maine Department of Inland
Fisheries and Wildlife) in natural resource inventories, management plans, land
acquisition, long-term monitoring of Ecological Reserves, and harvest
prescriptions. The Community Ecologist will assist with raising funds for
program operations and special projects and may solicit and negotiate major
contracts and cultivate new funding sources while managing existing contracts
to ensure that contractual and financial obligations are met. Software used will
include ArcMap, Access, Ordination and Statistical Packages, and Microsoft
Office applications on a personal computer.
In order to qualify, you must have a Bachelors Degree in Ecology,
Botany, Biology, or related field -AND- three (3) years experience of
progressively responsible related field research and/or management experience.
Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a
year-for-year basis.
A completed State of Maine Direct Hire Application, resume and a
cover letter addressing the qualifications and responsibilities of this
position must be received by close of business, September 28, 2007. Please mail
or fax to: Carmen Welch, Natural Resources Service Center, 155 State House
Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0155, fax #207-287-2216.
Direct Hire Application forms can be obtained by accessing the
State's website at http://www.maine.gov/bhr/state_jobs/how_to/direct.htm or by
contacting Carmen Welch at 287-4997.
For more information regarding the duties and responsibilities of
this position, please contact Molly Docherty, Director, Maine Natural Areas
Program, at 207-287-8045.
................................................................................................................................................................
Beth Kopp
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program
Colby College
5356 Mayflower Hill Drive
Waterville, Maine 04901
Office: 208 Diamond Building
207.859.5356