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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
September 23, 2007
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In this issue:
** Upcoming ES Program Events: Wednesday: Tom Tietenberg, Climate
Change in the U.S. Northeast: Findings of the Northeast Climate Impacts
Assessment
** ES Program News: Jan Plan in Belize, Professor Nyhus at Oxford,
Vacancies on the ES student advisory committee
** Beyond Colby: Powershift 2007
** Study Abroad: Operation Wallacea, Round River Conservation
Studies, Global Vision International
** Jobs and Internships: Population Connection, Climate Institute,
Sierra Club, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
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** Upcoming ES Program Events:
ES Colloquia: Tom Tietenberg
Wednesday, September 25
12:00 in the Fairchild Room in Dana. Join us at 11:30 for lunch
with Tom.
Climate Change in the
U.S. Northeast: Findings of the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment
The Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA) involves a
collaboration between the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and more than 50
independent experts to:
*
Develop and communicate a new assessment of climate change and associated
impacts on key climate-sensitive sectors in the Northeast U.S.
*
Provide state-of-the-art analyses based upon the best available science to
decision-makers to facilitate
their making informed choices about climate change solutions.
The NECIA report on climate change in the Northeast was released
on Oct. 4, 2006 and the NECIA
assessment of impacts, options for mitigation and adaptation was released on July
11, 2007.
Tom is the author or editor of eleven books (including
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, one of the best selling textbooks
in the field, and Emissions Trading, one of the most widely cited books in the
emissions trading literature) as well as over one hundred articles and essays
on environmental and natural resource economics. Elected President of the
Association of Environmental and Natural Resource Economists in 1987-8, he has
consulted on environmental policy with the United Nations, the World Bank, the
InterAmerican Development Bank, the Agency for International Development and
the Environmental Protection Agency as well as several state and foreign
governments. Tom attended and spoke at the first Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 and
has lectured on climate change policy and sustainable development at many
international conferences. He was selected as Maine Professor of the Year in
1990.
** ES Program News:
Check out this JanPlan opportunity!
Biology/Environmental Studies 358j Ecological Field Study in Belize
Three credit hours.
Professors Cole and Firmage
Students enrolling in this field study course will visit selected
tropical ecosystems in Belize and study their biological diversity and the
ecological relationships among their fauna and flora. Qualitative and
quantitative field investigations will stress the ecology of coral reefs and
tropical rainforests. The identification of the flora and vertebrate fauna
indigenous to these ecosystems will be emphasized. The environmental challenges
impacting these ecosystems will also be studied. In addition to the ecological
studies, we will visit Kekchi and Mayan Indian villages to learn about their
culture and environmental ethic.
Lectures, films, and discussions of assigned readings during the first
week will be followed by roughly a 18-day field trip. Approximate cost is $2900. Prerequisite: Permission of the
instructors. Limited financial aid
(grant) is available for qualified students.
Interested students are invited to attend the trip information
session scheduled for Thursday, September 27th at 5:30 pm in Olin 1.
Professor Nyhus invited speaker at Oxford
Philip recently attended The Field Conservation & Biology
Conference at Oxford University, U.K., where he presented a talk on his work
with tigers in China. This meeting was attended by 300 of the world's leading
authorities on the study and conservation of the world's cats. He also was one
of 30 experts invited to participate in day-long workshop on human-large cat
conflict and to be participate in an IUCN Red List Workshop to reevaluate the
conservation status of the world's wild cats hosted by Oxford's Wildlife
Conservation Research Unit.
ES Program is looking for student advisory members from the class
of '10
Are you a new ES major? If you are interested in becoming a member
of our student advisory board, please contact me @ beth.kopp@colby.edu.
Advisory committee members provide the ES faculty with the student perspective
which is essential to shaping this terrific and growing program.
** Off campus programs:
Operation Wallacea
Upcoming Information sessions
Please come to an information session on October 4 at 7:00
(location TBA)
Operation Wallacea, a series of biological and social science
expedition projects that operate in remote locations across the world. These
expeditions are designed with specific wildlife conservation aims in mind -
from identifying areas needing protection, through to implementing and
assessing conservation management programmes. http://www.opwall.com/
Round River Conservation Studies
October 4
4:00 in Diamond 223
Round River Conservation Studies, is a non-profit conservation
research and education organization. Round River specializes in working with
local, indigenous communities to develop and implement landscape-scale
conservation strategies using conservation biology, while additionally
providing opportunities to train local biologists and small groups of 5 to 8
undergraduate students. Participating students receive college credit while
attending these programs. A representative from Round River will be on campus
Wednesday, February 8 to speak about research opportunities for undergraduate
students in Namibia, Ecuador, and British Columbia. Doug MIlek will offer a
presentation from 4:00 - 5:00 in Diamond 223.
If you are interested but unable to attend at that time, Doug
Milek, program director with Round River, can be reached at
dougmilek@roundriver.org or 801-694-3321.
Global Vision International
Global Vision International research expedition during their
summer vacation or after their studies. Expedition members are required to join
the GVI research team throughout the year to participate in biodiversity
studies in Kenya, near the border of Tanzania. There is a free careers abroad
field work placement and job vacancy service for all former expedition members.
GVI is particularly interested in recruiting students from the
fields of environmental science, zoology, biology and other related degree
courses. College credit is available with many North American Universities.
Please share this information with your students (and fellow professors).
Expedition Focus
Volunteer as a member of GVIŐs research team and experience
dolphins, primates and big game. The expedition looks at the biodiversity of
the immediate region around Shimoni which is on the Kenyan border with mainland
Tanzania – a unique opportunity to combine marine, forest and national
park research. The expedition also examines how local communities affect and
utilize the regions natural resources, and aims to help these communities
profit from their resources in a sustainable manner.
Expedition members are needed for periods of 5, 10 and 15 weeks.
Projects include: marine mammal research recording bottlenose dolphins, Indian
Ocean Humpback dolphins, Spinner dolphins and larger cetacean such as Humpback
whales, marine mega-fauna research, including turtles, whalesharks, and manta
rays (seasonal,) big game and community projects in National Parks eg. elephant
relocation, rare coral rag forest exploration and primate surveys including
Angolan Black and White monkeys. No experience is necessary as the GVI training
programme will provide a baseline and holistic understanding of all aspects of
the area and project work.
Further details are outlined on the relevant webpage at
http://www.gviusa.com/pages/projectDetail.asp?expedition=78 or can be requested
by contacting GVI directly on 1 888 653 6028 or e-mail: paul@gviusa.com
** BEYOND COLBY
Powershift 2007
It's almost here! The first ever national youth summit on the
climate crisis will happen at the University of Maryland-College Park from
November 2nd-5th and you won't want to miss it. With a list of keynote
speakers, engaging workshops, informative panels, and a packed job fair,
Powershift 2007 aims to teach the next generation how to take action in solving
the climate crisis and the importance of doing so before it's too late. Some of
the confirmed speakers include Rev. Lennox Yearwood (CEO, Hip Hop Caucus), Van
Jones (Director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights), Evon Peter (Director,
Native Movement) and Carol Browner (Former Chief, Environmental Protection
Agency) and are still waiting to hear from Kofi Annan (Former Secretary
General, United Nations), Jimmy Carter (Former President), Al Gore (Former Vice
President), Spike Lee (Filmmaker), Wangari Maathai (Founder, Green Belt
Movement), Nelson Mandela (Former President of South Africa), Jon Stewart (The
Daily Show), Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report), and Ban Ki-Moon (Secretary
General, United Nations). Powershift will show how we can begin to establish a
clean energy economy, achieve energy independence, create millions of green
jobs, increase global equity, and revitalize the American economy. This is a
great opportunity to meet up with your friends from SPROG or Shindig and put
your skills to use around the biggest environmental issue facing our world
today. Register before October 1st and it will cost only $20 for the entire
weekend, so don't wait!
For information, visit http://www.powershift07.org/ or contact
Kerry Whittaker <kawhitta>
** Jobs and Internships:
Education Fellow Pop Connection
Washington, D.C.
Fellowship Program
fellowships@popconnect.org
October 31, 2007
Research, Education, Conservation
Description:
Population Connection offers fellowships in Washington, D.C. for
recent college graduates and graduate students with a special interest in
population issues. Each fellow has a responsible role working with a specific
department and becomes an essential part of that departmentŐs staff.
Population Education: The fellow will assist in preparing our
teacher education workshops, developing curriculum for the K-12 classroom,
marketing our teacher resources at conventions and through our program.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree (BA, BS etc.)
Duration:
January 2008 through June 2008
Compensation:
Compensation is $900 (before taxes), paid every two weeks. Fellows
receive generous sick leave and vacation. Full medical and dental insurance
coverage is available for fellows who are permanent residents or citizens of
the U.S.
Application Procedure:
Application Procedures (Applications for the January-June session
are due by October 31, 2007 and for the July-December session by April 15,
2007.)
1) Cover letter, indicating departments of interest and session
for which you are applying;
2) Resume; and
3) 2-4 page writing sample (e.g., excerpt from a research paper,
an article or letter to the editor is fine).
Email to: fellowships@populationconnection.org
Climate Institute
The Climate Institute is a non-profit organization focusing on
climate change issues. It works to move nations, regions, and people to address
climate change in a collaborative manner and protect the balance between
climate and life on earth. The Climate Institute offers internships for
university students and graduates from around the world. The internships
generally involve service with the Climate Institute at its Washington offices
but alternative opportunities may be available with its partner organizations.
Students may also participate from their home campuses in research projects.
The internships are on a volunteer basis.
Climate Institute
1785 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036
Email: internship.applications@gmail.com
Website: www.climate.org
Sierra Club, Membership Outreach Representative
San Francisco Bay Chapter (Berkeley, California)
Reports to: Development Associate
Context: Educates Sierra Club members about current conservation
campaigns, raise money, and mobilize volunteers through the phone outreach
program.
Scope: The Membership Outreach Representative is responsible for
contacting Sierra Club members during evening phone banks to educate members,
raise money, and identify environmental volunteers.
Knowledge & Skills:
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Excellent telephone communication skills.
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Ability to learn fundraising and political organizing skills.
Contact Information:
Bill Walsh
Sierra Club/San Francisco Bay Chapter
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite I
Berkeley, CA 94702
Email: wwalsh@sfbaysc.org
Telephone: (510) 848-0800 x309
Fax: (510) 848-3383
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Ms. Laura Lubelczyk
Education Director
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
342 Laudholm Farm Road
Wells, ME 04090
Phone: 207-646-1555
Website: www.wellsreserve.org
Organization Description: Wells Research Research Reserve is a
preserve dedicated to the interaction between man and the natural environment.
It features a historic saltwater farm and a seven mile trail system. The
reserve serves as both a laboratory and classroom where the effects of human
and natural activity can be studied.
Internship Program: Interns work on two types of projects; visitor
education and biological research. Education interns are involved with
preparing interpretive programs for visitors and research interns assist with
research projects under the supervision of staff scientists.
................................................................................................................................................................
Beth Kopp
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program
Colby College
5356 Mayflower Hill Drive
Waterville, Maine 04901
Office: 208 Diamond Building
207.859.5356