Chickens on campus and a mood shift at EPA: Relevant projects are nature of environmental studies capstone

Written by

The Environmental Studies Capstone Symposium is tomorrow! Read about how students Phoebe Reid and Mallory Culbertson brought their skills and passion to address employee satisfaction at the EPA and analyze the role of chickens in agriculture and the modern food system in a UW news story by Michelle Ma.

The Capstone Course Series is a rigorous three-quarter experience which equips students to tie in academic research with practical application via professional internships at organizations such as the EPA, UW Farm, Washington Environmental Council, Puget SoundKeeper Alliance, and UW Sustainability.

Join us tomorrow for public presentations by students, on topics ranging from waste diversion in hospitals, greening sports, engaging millennials in environmental advocacy and legislative action, sustainability indicators in small communities, and more.

Capstone Symposium Details

Invitation to Q&A with Director Candidates for Program on the Environment

Written by

Sent on behalf of the Search Committee for the Director of the Program on the Environment

Dear College faculty, staff, students, and PoE Advisory Board Members,

You are invited to attend the open presentations and Q&A sessions with the three finalists for the next Director of the Program on the Environment. All will take place in Wallace Hall (ACC). The finalists will provide a 20 – 30 minute candidate statement to address their vision for the program, how they will approach accomplishing this vision, and a summary of their qualifications, with the remaining 45-55 minutes dedicated to a question and answer session.

The finalists and the information about their public sessions are below:

Prof. Rick Keil (School of Oceanography)
Friday, May 20th, from 12:30 – 1:45 PM, in ACC 120

Prof. Peter Kahn (Dept. of Psychology and School of Environmental and Forest Sciences)
Monday, May 23rd, from 12:00 – 1:15 PM, in ACC 012

Prof. Nives Dolsak (School of Marine and Environmental Affairs)
Monday, May 23rd, from 2:00 – 3:15 PM, in ACC 012

We look forward to seeing you at these presentations.

Best,

Lisa

— 

Lisa J. Graumlich
Dean, College of the Environment
Virginia and Prentice Bloedel Professor
University of Washington
Ocean Sciences Building, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98195-5355
206-221-0908 (Andrea Perkins, Assistant to Dean)
environment.washington.edu

Congratulations Caitlin Carthey, CoEnv scholarship awardee!

Written by

Congratulations to Environmental Studies student Caitlin Carthey, who was recently awarded scholarship funding for the 2016-2017 academic year from the College of the Environment!

This year the CoEnv Scholarship and Funding Committee awarded over $48,000 in merit- and need-based scholarship funds to 24 undergraduates. Caitlin has plans for how she will direct these funds to pursue her passion and make the most of her next year at UW.

student photo_Caitlin

“I’m excited to enter my senior year as an Environmental Studies senior and am looking forward to beginning my Capstone project. With the help of the CoEnv scholarship, I hope to use my final year to research the intersection of food systems and environmental justice” says Caitlin.

Caitlin cares about food security issues and making systemic change to advance the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of those most in need. She chose to major in Environmental Studies because it offered her the opportunity to have a well rounded education, and gain knowledge from diverse fields that make for a fuller understanding of environmental issues.

“I became interested in environmental justice and food systems while living in underserved neighborhoods in St. Louis and Philadelphia and saw first-hand how food insecurity affects quality of life. This prompted me to want to understand how these systems were formed and how they could potentially be improved.”

Keep an eye out for the next round of CoEnv scholarships! And, Env. Studies students, don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for the program’s Environmental Leadership Scholarship. Applications are due May 20!

WET Science Center hiring for Environmental Education Assistants

Written by

Check out this great opening, sent to us from Alexandra Doty at Puget Sound Partnership!

Super opportunity for an upcoming or recent grad!

Job Description

The WET Science Center is hiring two full-time Environmental Education Assistants.  These are one-year positions beginning in early July and early August.  Join our education team and help teach thousands of students how to conserve and protect water!

The Environmental Education Assistant is responsible for performing and assisting with a variety of education tasks and interacting with visitors in the WET Science Center. This position plays a key role in the education program by assisting the Education Program Manager with classroom presentations to school groups (5th grade and up), overseeing the hands-on exhibit gallery, leading tours, delivering programs for the community, and taking key messages and educational materials to special events.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • greeting guests and welcoming them to the WET Science Center;
  • overseeing the exhibit gallery and interacting with the public to facilitate learning;
  • assisting with research and delivery of classroom presentations and Saturday community activities;
  • leading tours of the wastewater treatment plant and green building;
  • data entry related to program tracking and evaluation;  
  • representing LOTT and the WET Science Center at community events;
  • implementing and tracking the social media program;
  • recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers;
  • writing articles for internal and external audiences;  
  • taking photos of educational activities;
  • and other related duties.

See the job announcement and apply here: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lottcleanwater/jobs/1426705/environmental-education-assistant

Questions? Contact Amber Smith, Education Program Manager, LOTT’s WET Science Center

ambersmith@lottcleanwater.org | www.wetsciencecenter.org

Congratulations Leah Litwak, Husky 100 awardee!

Written by

Congratulations Leah Litwak for being recognized as an inaugural Husky100‬ leader!

The Husky 100 recognizes outstanding students on all three University of Washington campuses who are making the most of their time in college and exhibiting leadership, passion and drive. As interim provost and executive director Jerry Baldasty notes, this honor is reflective of the caliber and spirit of a student body that “gain the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers in industry, community and life.”

Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 12.36.06 PMLeah is leading change for a better world with her commitment to food, health, sustainability, and the environment.

On campus, Leah has led tours and guided new students to have a successful start. Outside of campus, Leah has worked as a farmer’s market vendor and has recently taken on a new role to further Carnation Farmers Market’s (where she interned) efforts to ensure more people can access fresh fruits and produce. Leah’s a senior in Environmental Studies and has worked actively to pursue her passion for food to make a difference in her community.

Learn more about Leah and how she utilized her Capstone internship to champion for better food integration in farmers’ markets in Carnation, WA in a feature story by the College of the Environment.

The Husky 100 students will be recognized at a special event on May 16.

Environmental Leadership Scholarship – Apply by May 20

Written by

The Environmental Leadership Scholarship recognizes the outstanding achievements, leadership skills, and potential of students pursuing a future in the environmental field. Two Environmental Leadership Scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to two students in the major who demonstrate a passion for environmental studies, integrative thought and action in their academics and activities, and a vision of how they hope to make a positive difference in the world.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible you must:

  • Be officially declared as an Environmental Studies major at the time of application and receipt of award
  • Be registered for UW credits for Spring Quarter 2016
  • Demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum cumulative UW GPA of 3.25
  • Not have previously received an Environmental Leadership scholarship

Application Process

  • Submit application materials using the Catalyst dropbox: https://catalyst.uw.edu/workspace/poedesk/53875/427752
    • Personal Statement (2 page max) that addresses:
      • How you define and demonstrate your passion for environmental studies.
      • Your commitment to and engagement in integrative thought and action in your academic studies and other activities (this could be through research projects, community engagement, or other examples).
      • Your vision of how you hope to make a positive difference in the world once you complete your environmental studies degree.
    • Résumé, including the names of two references from whom you requested recommendations (.pdf, .doc, or .rtf file format)
  • Recommendations

Due Date

  • Application, résumé, and recommendations must be submitted no later than May 20, 2016 at 5:00 pm. Please contact Ana Wieman with any questions: enviradv@uw.edu. Thank you!

UW seeking Student Waste Diversion Coordinator

Written by

The UW Recycling Office has an opening for a part-time student Waste Diversion Coordinator. This position could begin as early as June 13, 2016 and continue for the duration of the 2017 academic school year. This is a great opportunity for a qualified, dedicated student interested in environmental issues, primarily recycling and composting education and general sustainability topics, to help build upon their skills and experience.

To view the full job description and apply, interested and qualified candidates should sign in to Husky Jobs (www.huskyjobs.washington.edu/students/) and search for the position by job number 102461.

image001Student Assistant Position: Waste Diversion Coordinator

Start Date: On or after June 13, 2016

Hours/Times:  20 hrs/week

Compensation:  $13.00/hr

Duration: 1 year

The Waste Diversion Coordinator will work with UW Recycling staff to develop outreach initiatives,  educational campaigns, communication materials and strategies to educate and engage the UW community in our waste reduction efforts.  A primary focus will be identifying areas of improvement for existing waste diversion initiatives as well as assisting in developing and disseminating information relevant to programs we promote. Your efforts will help to reach our goal of 70% waste diversion by 2020!

Responsibilities 

  • Participate in the creative concept planning and design of improved marketing and public education materials for several recycling programs. (i.e. posters, flyers, brochures, and other promotional materials.)
  • Assist in building waste assessments and implementing service improvements for select buildings and programs to ensure we are in compliance with City of Seattle ordinances that ban recyclables and compostables from the landfill.
  • Develop a student-focused recycling education program highlighting UW waste diversion initiatives. Integrate videos, events, website and social media into the program.
  • Serve as UW Recycling liaison with student environmental groups on campus to ensure waste diversion education is part of their programming and events.
  • Research the development of a Twitter account.
  • Develop videos using mobile apps for education and outreach initiatives.
  • Research and write content promoting waste diversion initiatives for newsletters and blogs.
  • Assist in other projects as needed or as time allows.

 Qualifications

  • Experience in editing and posting web pages and social media sites is a must.
  • Proficiency or willingness to learn InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel and Word.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines and prioritize time accordingly.
  • Ability to work independently and on a wide variety of tasks simultaneously.
  • A strong interest in sustainability.
  • Previous experience working in an office environment is a plus.

For more information contact: Emily Newcomer

Emily Newcomer
UW Recycling
University of Washington
Office: 206-685-8928
Cell: 206-255-2608
www.uwrecycling.com

On the path toward 70% waste diversion by 2020

Collaborating with the fashion industry to conserve Peru’s rainforests

Written by

Environmental Studies student Ava Holmes has a passion for fashion, sustainability and conserving the Peruvian rainforest. Ava founded a company, A-Dot Productions, working with local and international designers to produce events that highlight eco-fashion, mentor fashion entrepreneurs and strive for resourceful ways for the fashion industry to become more sustainable, reduce its waste, and benefit the environment.

Along with UW Environmental Studies alum and UW Environmental and Forest Sciences PhD student Samantha Zwicker, Ava has collaborated with leaders in the fashion industry, the Peruvian Consulate, Aveda, National Geographic’s NOVICA and artists to put together a special benefit event to support rainforest conservation efforts in Peru. 

HOVA NUEVASpecifically, proceeds from the benefit will go to Samantha’s non-profit, Hoja Nueva, which promotes sustainable agriculture practices in the Las Piedras region of Peru and works with local organizations to grow local food while maintaining the health of the forests. 

Join the hosts: UW graduate student of the year 2015, Samantha Zwicker and UW Environmental Studies undergrad student Ava J Holmes, for Inspiracion del Peru, an exquisite evening of international sustainable art and fashion, stunning performances, live music, specialty cocktails, and more inspired by the richly diverse rainforest and country of Perú.

View Event Program 

Buy tickets  

Each ticket purchases will protect at least 5 acres of rainforest and plant one cacao tree in the Piedras region of the Amazon, home to the largest unprotected rainforest on earth.

This event will contribute to cultivating cacao with the aim to produce ethical chocolate ingredients for chocolate manufactures in Seattle!

Environmental Studies Autumn 2016 Courses

Written by

Getting ready to register for Autumn courses? Check out Environmental Studies offerings! Registration begins on May 6.

Environmental Studies Courses

ENVIR 100: Introduction to Environmental Studies – Great course for exploring environmental majors. Learn about environmental issues in a local and global context. 

ENVIR 200: Communication for Environmental Studies – Develop the skills necessary to engage, analyze, write, and speak about complex environmental issues in a variety of disciplinary contexts with particular values and emphases. Course restricted to Environmental Studies majors.
TTh 9:30a – 11:20a, F 10:30a – 11:20a | Ned Schaumberg | 5 credits

ENVIR 239: Sustainability: Personal Choices, Broad Impacts – Explore how food, energy and policy movements are moving our society towards a more sustainable future. Open to all majors.

ENVIR 250: Research Methods for Environmental Studies – Get experience with data collection and apply it to an environmental lens.
MWF 9:30a – 10:20a | Tim Billo | 5 credits

ENVIR 280: Natural History of the Puget Sound – Explore and understand the landscape of Western Washington and the species that inhabit it. Field trips to the Olympic Peninsula, Whidbey Island and east slopes of the Cascades.

ENVIR 300: Analysis of Environmental Cases – Learn to use data from the social and natural sciences to inform how environmental decisions are made.
TTh 2:30p – 4:20p | Yen-Chu Weng | 5 credits

ENVIR 440: Environmental Pedagogy – Develop the tools for teaching environmental topics while learning the culture of teaching in immersive settings.

ENVIR 460: Power, Privilege and Preservation – Examine the potential for more socially just and ecologically sustainable approaches to protected areas management.

ENVIR 460 Autumn

ENVIR 480: Sustainability Studio – Work with UW on socially responsible purchasing and conduct cost-benefit analyses on responsible supply chains.

ENVIR 480 Autumn

 

Courses shared with other departments

ENVIR 221/HSTAA 221: Environmental History of the U.S.

ENVIR 362/ESRM 362: Introduction to Restoration Ecology

ENVIR 379/SOC 379/ESRM 371: Environmental Sociology

ENVIR 384/POL S 384: Global Environmental Politics

ENVIR 416/PHIL 416: Ethics and Climate Change

ENVIR 418/COM 418: Communication and the Environment

ENVIR 476/SMEA 476: Introduction to Environmental Law and Process

New Degree Requirements for Environmental Studies Majors!

Written by

Environmental Studies is pleased to announce changes to the B.A. degree requirements, effective Autumn 2016.

Students currently in the major are encouraged to meet with the adviser to find out how these changes might affect them. New students can take advantage of these changes right away.

The new requirements create added flexibility for course sequencing and still include all the key elements that make Environmental Studies a unique student-focused major. See the Course Checklist on the Advising page for full details or contact the adviser any time at enviradv@uw.edu.

Summary of Degree Requirement Changes for the B.A.

Reduced credits
Overall credit requirements have been reduced to 78 credits. Since some requirement areas can be fulfilled by a 3- or a 5-credit class, some students will earn more than 78 credits applicable toward the major.

Reduced number of courses
Course requirements will be reduced in three areas:

  • Foundations: Earth Systems Literacy now requires only one course (minimum 3 credits)
  • Foundations: Values & Cultures now requires only one course (minimum 3 credits)
  • Perspectives & Experiences now requires minimum 3 credits in each of the six areas for a total of 18 required credits

Adjusted GPA requirement
The minimum adjusted GPA requirement allows students to remain in good standing with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses that are used toward the major. Students must earn a passing grade in each course applied toward the major (0.7 is the lowest passing grade permitted by UW).

There are also minor changes to departmental honors and the Environmental Studies minor. Check with the adviser to find out more.