Environmental Studies Department

Environmental Studies Department Weekly Update

January 26, 2009

For submissions or corrections, or to be added/removed from the mailing list, please email ES Program Coordinator, Vallie Edenbo

EARTH ISSUES / EVENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / GRADUATE PROGRAMS / JOBS & INTERNSHIPS

Earth Issues:

Tuesday, February 3 – Focus the Nation Uncommon Hour:

Development, Sustainability and Climate Change in the Developing World

12:00- 1:00, Rubendall Recital Hall

Climate change poses severe challenges for human development, economic development and poverty reduction in the developing world. Can people in developing countries adapt to reduce their vulnerability to climate hazards and reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, while also attaining their development goals? What responsibilities do wealthier countries have for assisting developing countries with responding to climate change? Panelists include: Michael Fratantuono, William Visser, Neil Leary, Thomas Nadelhoffer and Joyce Bylander (as the moderator)

Tuesday, February 10 – Eels and Mussels in the Susquehanna River

William Lellis, PhD

12:00-1:00, HUB Side Room 205-206

The relationship between freshwater eels and mussels is thought to be having drastic, yet little-understood effect on the water quality of Pennsylvania rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. USGS scientist Bill Lellis will discuss his research in this area.

The Spring 2009 Earth Issues Schedule is available at http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/envst/news.html. Sponsored by the Environmental Studies Department, Earth Issues is a presentation/discussion of environmental issues. Seminars are held on Tuesdays, from 12:00-1:00 PM in the HUB Siderooms, unless otherwise noted. If you are a student, faculty member, alumnus or professional in the field of environmental studies or environmental science, and you are interested in presenting for an upcoming Earth Issues, please let us know by emailing

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Events:

On-Campus Events:

Monday, February 2- Sustainability Careers Reception

3:00-5:00, Rector Science Complex Atrium

Keynote by Thom Wallace '99, Managing Principal of Ecofusion, A Strategic Communications and Media CompanyThis fun and informative event offers a chance to meet fellow sustainability professionals and to discuss career experiences, employment/ internship possibilities and the future of sustainability with students and alumni in sustainability-related fields. RSVP is required. Email Kerstin Martin by January 25, 2009.

February 1-3 Focus the Nation

Focus the Nation is a national teach-in day dedicated to educating the community about climate change and its effects, as well as possible solutions. It is particularly aimed towards students to inspire them to take action. This year's national program is focused on demanding action from the new administration (“Empowering a Generation to Power a Nation”). For more information please visit the Focus the Nation national website. www.focusthenation.org

Dickinson will primarily focus on making connections to a wide variety of departments and interest groups on campus. February 1st and 2nd consist of social events relating to the environment and climate change, while February 3rd is devoted to informational panels and discussions. We hope you will attend several events over the course of Focus the Nation 2009! Please visit http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/sustainability/focusthenation.html for a full schedule of events.

Tuesday, February 3 – Focus the Nation Teach-In

Focus the Nation is a national teach-in day dedicated to educating the community about climate change and its effects, as well as possible solutions. Dickinson faculty, students and staff will host a variety of events on campus.

Please visit http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/sustainability/focusthenation.html for a full schedule of events.

Dickinson College RecycleMania Events

· January 23rd—Recyclemania Kick-off event located in the Depot, 7pm-10pm

· February 11th—Movie Night, Trashed 7:30 pm, Dana 110

· March 18th—Movie Night, Recyclergy 7:30 pm, Dana 110

· March 22nd—Adopt a Highway 10:30 am—12:00pm

February 5- Engaging the World Globally and Locally: Sustainability, Fieldwork and Social Action Abroad

12:00 p.m. Weiss Center, Rubendall Recital Hall

Dickinson faculty and students who conducted fieldwork in Tanzania and Venezuela will discuss how culture and political economy affect the lives of individuals and communities. They will show how communities are addressing challenges to public health and sustainable farming, and how their on-going collaborations with these communities through fieldwork, seed exchanges, organic farming methods, and developing clean water sources may empower all of us. Come see how you might get involved in these international and domestic projects.

Sponsored by the Office of Global Education, Community Studies Center, and Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education. Light lunch provided. Please contact Malinda Mochizuki and Brian Brubaker for more information.

February 26- Science for a Crowded Planet

Mark Myers Former Director, U.S. Geological Survey

Stern Center, Great Room, 7:00 p.m.

Although most people throughout human history have regarded earth's basic resources as inexhaustible, in today's crowded world we must act together to mitigate and adapt to the risks generated by a rapidly changing world.

April 14- Toxins: Toys to Toothpaste

Pete Myers, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences

Stern Center, Great Room - 7:00 p.m.

Revolutionary advances in the environmental health sciences have discovered that low exposure to materials found in many of today's consumer products - materials once thought safe - in fact have adverse consequences on human health.

Online Calendar of Sustainability Events

Sean Diamond, Sustainability Coordinator, is compiling an online calendar of sustainability events for the year.

http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/sustainability/calendar.html You can send information to him at

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Off Campus Events

February 5 Green Jobs Expo

Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference

Marriott Wardman Park Washington, D.C.

An Agenda So Significant, It Can Change Everything.

Join us for the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference ? the leading forum in 2009 for shaping the national debate about investment in clean energy and green technologies. Taking place in Washington, DC just days after the new administration and Congress are sworn in, the 2009 Conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 attendees representing business, labor, academic, environmental and community leaders to forge an agenda for creating jobs and exploring new green technologies that will help solve global warming, increase our energy independence and improve the health of people and the environment. In addition to three days of exceptional educational programs, renowned speakers, and extensive networking opportunities, this year's conference will also feature a Green Jobs Expo, with nearly 100 companies, schools, and organizations exhibiting and giving Expo Theatre presentations, as well as an optional Advocacy Day component, where attendees will have the opportunity to educate lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Learn more and register TODAY at www.greenjobsconference.org Dickinson’s Environmental Studies Department will sponsor a vehicle for student transportation to this event. Email for details.

February 5-7- PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) Farming for The Future Conference

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture will hold its annual conference in State College on February 5-7 and for the first time will offset the electricity and transportation used during the conference with carbon credits. The theme of this year's conference is "Finding Your Foodshed - The Worldwide Search For Food Sovereignty."

Featured speakers for the event will include:

· Raj Patel, author of the book ?Stuffed and Starved?, is a visiting scholar at the Center for African Studes At the University of California at Berkeley,

· Bernard Sweeney, Director of the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Pa.

The conference workshops include: sustainable forestry, weed school, green learning, living for high school students, advocacy and regionalism, 21st Century victory garden, farmers market success, innovative cover cropping systems and hands-on integrated pest management. Download the detailed conference agenda and go to the PASA conference

website for registration http://www.pasafarming.org/conf2009/. A group of Dickinson students will leave for the conference on Friday 2/6 and return late in the day on Saturday 2/7. If you are interested in carpooling and lodging with this group please contact Jenn Halpin before Monday 2/2. Email

February 27-March 2

Power Shift Conference, sponsored by Sierra Student Coalition

Student coalition Conference on Environmental Justice and Global Warming. Lobbying and leadership workshops, guest speakers. Join thousands of other students that are working for a more just and sustainable world.

Sign up at www.powershift09.org Registration deadline: February 1, 2009.

Here is the link to apply for scholarships on the Power Shift website: http://www.powershift09.org/conference/scholarship

Keynote speaker Van Jones video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SmF3B3734E

March 6- The Society of Women Environmental Professionals Capital Chapter
MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTIONS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
8:00 am - 3:30 pm at the C. Ted Lick Wildwood Conference Center, Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Join us to learn about emerging environmental issues, to network with your fellow students, and meet local environmental professionals who are interested in mentoring college students. Registration Deadline is February 22. Space is limited, so register early! Sponsorship opportunities available - contact Kim Hummel at for more information. For Program and Registration information, please see the visit our website at http://www.swephbgpa.us/

March 7- The 2009 Schuylkill Watershed Congress

Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown, Pennsylvania

With a Special Schuylkill River Paddle Offered Sunday, March 8th by Hidden River Outfitters

The Schuylkill Watershed Congress is an annual gathering of citizens interested in understanding, protecting and restoring local watersheds and streams. This event features a diverse program with concurrent and poster sessions covering a broad range of watershed topics. *Register by Friday, February 20th, 2009 to qualify for the $40 Early Registration Fee.* After February 20th, the Registration Fee increases to $50 per person. Registration fees cover participation in Saturday?s program, Saturday morning?s hospitality and lunch. The Keynote Speaker will be Andrew Pitz, Vice President,Strategic Policy & Planning, Natural Lands Trust. His presentation is titled, "Climate Change in the Watershed." This presentation will address climate science, present specific regional data and include an interactive discussion. Concurrent and Poster sessions offer a wide variety of topics including:

* Climate Change Impacts on Pennsylvania Water Resources *

* Hands-on Macroinvertebrate Identification *

* Protecting Headwater Streams in Pennsylvania *

* Invasive Plant Removal *

* Protecting Watersheds by Naming Streams *

* Emerging Contaminants in Pennsylvania Streams *

* Streambank Reconstruction: Snags & Successes *

* Impacts of Coal Tar Pavement Sealants on Stream Health *

* Improving Stormwater Management Practices by Homeowners Associations *

* The Future of Wastewater Treatment *

* Digital Resource for Watershed Groups *

For complete details on all sessions being offered and for registration and sponsorship information, go to:

http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/aboutus/events.asp

April 3-4- Fueling the School: Pennsylvania's First Intercollegiate Biodiesel Conference

Dickinson College Carlisle, PA

http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/sustainability/conferences.html#biodiesel

April 3-4- The 2009 Farm to Table conference

with a Local Food Tasting on Friday night.

David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

Visit http://www.pathwayswellnessprogram.com/farm_to_table.html for more information.

April 26-28, 1st Statewide Environmental Justice Conference: "Building Healthy & Improved Communities for All" Sheraton Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey

Please visit the conference's web site for general information and to download the Registration and Scholarship Application Forms http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ejconference Scholarships are available! Scholarship applications must be received no later than January 30, 2009. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to register early. This Conference is sponsored by: PA Environmental Justice Advisory Board, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Drexel University School of Public Health, PA Department of Community & Economic Development, PA Department of Health, PA Department of Transportation, PA Department of Welfare, PA Department of Education, Waste Management, Other sponsors listed on our web site.

May 7-9- Working Together to Protect Our Land, Water, & Communities

Conference at Penn State co-sponsored by PA Land Trust Association and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. http://landandwater.org/

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Announcements:

LUCE SEMESTER Application Deadline

As most of you already know, the ES Department is planning to offer another of our famous “Luce” semesters during the Fall of 2009 (next fall)! For those of you who do not know about Luce, please visit our website and pay particular attention to the description of the program and the FAQs http://alpha.dickinson.edu/departments/envst/lucewebpages/lucehome.htm Applications are due February 2. Email for more information.

The Citizens Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Executive Council (CAC) presently has vacancies in their Young Delegates program. CAC is seeking highly motivated young residents of Virginia, DC and Pennsylvania with a strong interest in providing perspectives on restoring/preserving the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Email for a full description of this opportunity.

The Citizen Science Paper Competition is now open for the year 2008-2009! Youth ages 13-26 are invited to submit original scientific research or position papers to the Citizen Science Technical Board for the 2009 Citizen Science paper competition! Winners will, in addition to publication, have the chance to present their work at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UN CSD), convening at the United Nations Headquarters (NYC) from May 4-15, 2009. Learn more at http://sustainus.org/content/view/15/88/

Harvard Forest is offering an exciting summer program for up to 30 undergraduate students to collaborate with scientists conducting ecological research. The deadline for this program is February 6th. Details are available at http://harvard.forest.fas.harvard.edu

On February 20th, 2009, De Sales University will host the first ever LVAIC Sustainable Campuses Conference. Besides for a full day of great speakers, break out sessions, and networking, they want to hear about what students are working on in regards to sustainability. To facilitate this, the conference committee thought it would be a great idea to hold a poster session throughout the day so undergraduate and graduate students can be involved with presenting important projects they are working on at their respective campuses. There aren't any requirements for the content of the posters. They can be on any topic that has to do with campus sustainability; energy use, composting, food production, recycling, green building, social justice, etc. If you would like to participate in the poster session, contact the conference organizers by December 19th with a short (less than one page) executive summary of your poster. Be sure to include your Name, Poster Title, School Affiliation, and Summary. If you need help designing your poster you can check out http://www.personal.psu.edu/drs18/postershow/#. For submissions or questions, please contact Jason Slipp, LVAIC Sustainable Campuses Conference Committee, Lehigh University, 610.758.5343

Penn State University-Harrisburg is offering a field study program in Utila, Honduras, July 1 -11, 2009, to study Coral Reefs. Students will examine coral reefs and coral reef habitats, whale sharks, mangroves, island flora and fauna, and the human activity on the island. This course will be taught in conjunction with the Whale Shark and Ocean Research Center based on the island of Utila. For a full brochure, including more information about the staff and instructors please email