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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
NEWSLETTER
November 14, 2006
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In this
issue:
** UPCOMING ES EVENTS: ES Lunchtime Colloquium:“The Bread and
the Roses”: Justice and
Nature in Environmentalism
** ES PROGRAM NEWS: Mellon Funds Available for Jan Plan
** GRAD/RESEARCH PROGRAMS:
Michigan State University, Arizona State, Aston Unviersity
** JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS:
Maine DEP, Biodiesel Intern, Society of Wetland Scientist
Fellowship, Urban Ecology Institute
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** UPCOMING ES EVENTS: ES Evening Colloquium:"Sustainable
Solutions: Entrepreneurship and
Environmental Challenges
“The Bread and the Roses”: Justice and
Nature in Environmentalism
Piers J. Hale, Science, Technology & Society Program, Colby
College.
(ES 401 credit)
In the 1970s and ‘80s
environmentalists on both sides of the Atlantic argued with some
urgency the necessity of changing how we in the west have
traditionally viewed nature.
Valuing nature solely as a resource for our ever-increasing
production and consumption
was the root of our environmental crisis. The answer, many suggested, was a
change in
consciousness. Humans
needed to recognise the interdependence of life and the inherent
value of natural entities, and acknowledge that our Promethean
domination of nature was
not only immoral but unsustainable. Such was the urgency of this crisis that issues of
social justice were deemed largely secondary, and the “grey” Cold War
ideologies that
had defined the extremes of global politics for a generation were
contrasted with the new
“Green” politics of the future.
** ES PROGRAM NEWS: Mellon Funds Available for Jan Plan
Mellon Funds available
The Environmental Studies Program is very lucky to have received
money from the Andrew W.
Mellon Foundation that can be used to provide stipends to students
who want to undertake
environmentally-related internships in the summer and over Jan
Plan. If you are
interested in applying for a Mellon internship and you meet the
following criteria,
please consider applying:
Criteria for Environmental Internship Stipend
* Preference
for ES majors, ES minors/concentrations
* Current
seniors eligible for January only
* Internship
should be related to environmental science or policy coursework
* Preference
for students interning in humanitarian, not-for-profit, and governmental
organizations
* Applicants
must be in good academic standing and be able to demonstrate financial
need
* Summer
internships require a minimum of 350 hours, cannot exceed 40 hours a week and
must comply with Federal wage and hour laws
* Applications
should include the following:
* A written
proposal describing the organization sponsoring the internship, the
internship responsibilities, and the relationship of the
internship to environmental
science or policy coursework and to your future career goals;
* A letter of
recommendation from a Colby faculty member;
* A current
resume;
* A budget
proposal listing projected income (including wages, stipends, family
contribution, gifts and other) and projected expenses (including
transportation, housing,
utilities, food, and other); and
* A letter or
other communication from the sponsoring organization confirming the
internship.
* Submit full
application materials (electronic and hardcopy please) to Beth Kopp, box
4846 (Beth.Kopp)
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30
http://www.colby.edu/grants/esmellon/stipends.htm
** GRAD/RESEARCH PROGRAMS: Dr. Shawn Riley and Dr. Meredith Gore, in the
Department of
Fisheries and Wildlife ttp://www.fw.msu.edu> at Michigan State
University, are seeking a
highly-qualified M.S. student to begin graduate studies in
[Hide Quoted Text]
2007. Assistantship support is available through a combination of
research
assistantships and fellowship opportunities. Thesis research will be developed to
address risk communication and management needs of wildlife
stakeholders and advance
theory in the area of human dimensions of wildlife conservation
and management. Project
will likely focus on understanding perceived wildlife-related risk
and evaluating
communication programs designed to reduce perceived risks
associated with human-wildlife
conflicts. Current
and past research has focused on
describing stakeholder perceived
impacts from white-tailed deer,understanding wildlife stakeholder
acceptance capacity
for non-venomous snakes and rattlesnakes, understanding perceived
risk associated with
human-black bear conflict, and describing the wildlife disease
management system through
group model building. Interested candidates should review the
Riley Lab web site for
more information about the type of work conducted in this program
(_http://www.fw.msu.edu/people/_riley)
<http://www.fw.msu.edu/people/riley>. The successful
applicant will have emonstrated:
(1) scholarly and academic achievement through previous course
work; (2) appropriate
work and/or experience in a natural resources field; (3) a commitment to advancing
theory and working on problem-directed research; (4) high
motivation for a career in
wildlife conservation and management; and (5) positive past
performance demonstrated
through strong, supportive recommendation letters. Inquiries about
this opportunity may
be directed to Dr. Riley at _ rileysh2@msu.edu
<mailto:rileysh2@msu.edu>_ or Dr. Gore at
gorem@msu.edu
<mailto:gorem@msu.edu>.
Meredith L. Gore, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Michigan State University
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
13 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
p: 517.432.4943
f: 517.432.1699
www.fw.msu.edu/people/riley/Meredith/meredith
Evolutionary and Community Ecology Course in the Amazon Rain
Forest
Summer session with Arizona State University
Arizona State University is offering a 7-unit summer course in the
Amazon Rain Forest on
May31rd-June22nd, 2006. The course will focus on Evolutionary and
Community Ecology,
entirely in the field at Estacion Jatun Sacha in Amazonian
Ecuador. Taxonomic specialties
focused in the course include, but are not limited to, reptiles,
amphibians, primates,
and plants. Part of the course will focus on lectures,
discussions, and group field
activities, and the last part will be devoted towards independent
student research
projects. There will also be free-time activities such as a tour
of the Ecuadorian
Capital, Quito, as well as whitewater rafting. A compete
description of the course and
directions on applying are found at: www.ReptileResearch.org.
Applications from
out-of-state students and sometimes non-Biology students are also
accepted, based on
space availability.
Paul Hamilton, M.A., Ph.D.
Director, Reptile Research
paul@reptileresearch.org
www.ReptileResearch.org -- Volunteering and Education
www.BiodiversityPhotography.org -- Nature Photography
phone: (520) 260-9280
fax: (815) 717-749
PO Box 1348
Tucson, AZ 85702-1348, USA
Aston University
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Full-Time PhD Studentship
‘The Integration of Biodiversity Throughout the Lifecycle of a
Development Project'
Environmental Systems and Safety Management Research Group
Applications are invited for a full-time industrial CASE PhD
studentship, ideally to
begin in January 2007, which will be supervised at the University
in close collaboration
with Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. The student stipend for 2007
will be £12,300 plus a
contribution from the industrial partner.
Project Brief
Developers invariably have an impact on biodiversity through their
activities in creating
infrastructure within the landscape. Despite this there is no
guidance relating to the
continuity between ecological planning, on site construction, and
the management
necessary for successful long term biodiversity enhancement and
maintenance.
The aim of the research project is therefore, to develop a
methodology defining the
continuity of the process necessary to ensure that biodiversity is
successfully maximised
throughout the life of a development project. The research will
employ a case study
approach, engaging with organisations involved in the development
process to gain an
understanding of current good practice. The outcome will be
synthesised into a practical
tool for ensuring the long term success of the biodiversity
enhancement associated with a
development project.
Person Specification
Applicants should possess an upper second or first class honours
degree in an appropriate
discipline (e.g., geography, environmental science, planning etc),
or an equivalent
qualification. Experience of planning or development processes,
together with a good
understanding of biodiversity issues, would be preferable.
Applicants should fulfil the
eligibility criteria for EPSRC funding through UK nationality
and/or residency status
(see http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/).
losing date for applications is Friday 10th November 2006.
Reference: ST06/203/99
For project, Research Group and industrial partner details see
http://www.esm.aston.ac.uk/research/essm/
http://www.middlemarch-environmental.com/
How to Apply:
Application forms, reference forms and details of the entry
requirements are available
from: http://www.seas.aston.ac.uk/admissions/research/
Alternatively, for a hard copy of the form please Email.
The completed form should be submitted to:
Dr Peter Hedges,
School of Engineering and Applied Science,
Aston University,
Aston Triangle,
Birmingham B4 7ET
** JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS:
DEP: Early Notice:
Lakes Environmental Summer Positions
The Maine DEP and the Volunteer Monitoring Program will have
openings for between one and
three summer project positions-internships for dealing with
lakes-related projects in
2007. The exact scope
of work will be detailed early in 2007.
We will endeavor to
accommodate the interests and abilities of the interns, but we
anticipate that each
intern will help with a wide range of operations both in the field
(lake monitoring,
environmental surveys, etc) and volunteer training and
communications (workshop
preparation, one-one one contacts with volunteers and on site
re-training, etc.)
The primary feature of the internship will be to exposure to a
variety of NGO and state
government programs, working directly with professionals in the
field, with an emphasis
on lake monitoring. More detail will be forthcoming.
We would like your help in recruiting individuals who may be
interested in this
opportunity. Could you let me know what the best avenue is for me to get the word out to
prospective interns?
Roy Bouchard
ME DEP Lake Assessment Section
SHS 17, Augusta, ME
04333
(207)287-7798 (fax
-7191)
roy.bouchard@Maine.Gov
http://www.mainedep.com/ or
http://state.me.us/dep/blwq/lake.htm
Biodiesel Intern
Organization: Atlas Arckology
Contact: Laura Cavin
Email: info@atlasarckology.org
Description: The Atlas Biodiesel Share (ABS) is a segment of Atlas
Arckology, which is a
non-profit organization that facilitates sustainable living
through various endeavors.
ABS is designed to advance real world efforts to promote
sustainability and address a
number of issues that surround localized and small-scale biodiesel
production. The
biodiesel program is growing and needs dedicated and motivated
interns who are excited to
be engaged in hands on learning experience.
Intern description:
Biodiesel production: collection of grease throughout the area,
processing veggie oil
into biodiesel, design and construct a veggie oil shed, advancing
wash and methanol
recovery systems, “industrial” soap making,
advance composting of residual veggie oil.
Education/presentations: assisting with getting information to the
community, developing
educational programs, and investigating possible partnerships with
other local businesses
Written work: a grant writer is needed to find funding sources for
this non-profit
program, organizational research, and potential research projects.
Qualifications: No experience necessary! Only a desire to learn
and expand renewable
energy use!
Location: Montrose, CO
Duration: any
Start Date: open until filled
Hours: part time
Compensation: Stipend available, contact for information.
SWS Minority Undergraduate Travel Fellowships
The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) announces the availability
of undergraduate
student fellowships for travel to attend the annual SWS meeting
June 10-15, 2007 in
Sacramento, California. SWS is committed to increasing diversity
in its membership and is
offering full travel fellowships and mentoring at the meeting for
undergraduate students
from underrepresented groups. SWS was awarded an Undergraduate
Mentoring in Environmental
Biology (UMEB) grant from the National Science Foundation to
support this effort.
Undergraduate student participants must be citizens or permanent
residents of the United
States or its possessions. An undergraduate student is a student
who is enrolled in a
degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate
or associates degree.
Students who are transferring from one institution to another and
are enrolled at neither
institution during the intervening summer may participate.
Preference will be given to
applicants interested in a career in any aspect of wetland science
or policy and willing
to present results of undergraduate research at the poster session
of the Annual Meeting.
Application materials and additional information are available
from Dr. Frank P. Day, Old
Dominion University (fday@odu.edu). Application deadline is
November 15, 2006.
Volunteer Coordinator
Urban Ecology Institute AmeriCorps*VISTA
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (MA)
Introduction
The Urban Ecology Institute promotes the stewardship of healthy
urban ecosystems by
improving science and civic education for middle and high school
youth and by working
with urban neighborhoods to protect and restore critical natural
resources.
We are seeking a volunteer coordinator (1 opening) for a one year
term of service through
the AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Manage and expand a volunteer corps that serves our Sustainable
Cities, Education
Program, and Neighborhood Wellness initiatives.
Organize and lead training sessions
Recruit and interview potential volunteers
Organize volunteer "appreciation" events
Manage volunteer communication
Manage volunteer database
Develop UEI community connection tools (e.g. E-Newsletter)
Assess current volunteer program and implement necessary
expansions/improvements
Work with UEI staff to identify volunteer roles and organize
participation schedules
Skills and Qualifications
We are looking for a hard-working, dedicated, self-starter who
desires a rewarding and
challenging experience in environmental education and community
organizing. Only
applicants dedicated to a year of public service through
AmeriCorps*VISTA, the domestic
Peace Corps, should apply. You must be a U.S. citizen, national,
or legal permanent
resident alien of the United States.
Required: experience managing people; experience as a volunteer;
excellent writing and
communication skills; attention to detail; ability to handle
multiple tasks and
prioritize; well organized; commitment to serving people in
low-income communities;
interest in leadership development; ability to work with diverse
groups of people;
ability to work independently as well as part of a team; ability
to work in fast paced,
but friendly environment; basic Microsoft Office computer skills.
A positive attitude and
sense of humor are a must.
Desirable: bilingual, community organizing or community
development experience,
familiarity with Boston's local environment and school systems,
experience in (or
interest in learning) graphic design.
** Please visit our website at www.urbaneco.org for more details
regarding our
organization, job duties and qualifications. **
Start Date
January 23, 2007. Positions are full-time and one year long with
the possibility of
re-enrollment for a second year.
Compensation
AmeriCorps*VISTA will provide a relocation and living allowance.
Members that complete a
year of service may choose either a $4725 education award or a
$1200 stipend. For more
information on the AmeriCorps*VISTA program please visit
www.americorps.org.
Closing Date
Applications will not be accepted after December 1, 2006.
To Apply
Early applicants will be given top consideration. All applicants
must submit an
AmeriCorps*VISTA application which can be found at
https://recruit.cns.gov.
Applicants are also asked to send a cover letter, rŽsumŽ, and 3-4
page writing sample
to:
Dawn Chavez
Education Program
Urban Ecology Institute
355 Higgins Hall
140 Commonwealth Ave
Chestnut Hill MA
02467
Electronic mail: chavezda@bc.edu
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................................................................................................................................................................
Beth Kopp
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program
Colby College
4846 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901-8848
207.859.4846
fax 207.872.3474
Office: 221 Lunder House
bkkopp@colby.edu