Traditional Agriculture & Sustainable Living Conference.
Posted by Liz in Call for Papers, Conference, Sustainable Living, Traditional Agriculture on September 6, 2012
CALL FOR PAPERS!
OCTOBER 12 &13, 2012
Submission Guidelines:
We are accepting submissions for the 7th Annual Traditional Agriculture and Sustainable Living Conference till September 21, 2012 at Northern New Mexico College. We are soliciting papers in all areas where traditional practices are aligned with the concept of sustainability. Presentations should be focused on activities and research on the traditional aspects of sustainability through:
· natural organic farming practices
· seed saving
· education in traditional foods and medicines,
· developing markets for surplus crops,
· value added production, and
· helping communities maintain or return to their traditional cultural lifestyles.
In this conference, we are interested in fostering discussion around work pertaining to:
· Clean, Safe Accessible Water, and Water Rights
· Women in Traditional Agriculture
· Spirituality in Agriculture
· Innovations in Sustainability
Include a 500-word abstract that outlining the topic of the presentation. Each proposal, should include a one- paragraph biography and a one-page c.v., including address, phone, and email address for the point of contact. Indicate AV equipment needs, if any.
Deadline for Statements of Interest: September 17, 2012
Acceptance Notices will be sent by September 21, 2012
Email each submission in PDF form to: sostenga@nnmc.edu Or send by mail service to: Sostenga Center, Northern New Mexico College, 921 Paseo de Oñate, Española, NM 87532.
For more information, visit: http://4bridges.org/conference-information/
Your Chance To Make A Difference At NAU
Posted by cmc467 in Uncategorized on September 5, 2012
Housing and Residence Life is still accepting applications for Eco-Reps with the priority deadline being THIS Friday, September 7 at 5 pm. We are looking for students who live on campus that want to make living sustainably a priority for themselves and others. As an Eco-Rep, you will receive ongoing training and education on a variety of environmental topics along with techniques on how to communicate effectively with your friends and neighbors in order to convince them to make changes in their attitudes and lifestyles. If you are looking for a rewarding student leadership position and plan to work in an environmentally focused field after graduation, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference at NAU and develop skills that will make you stand out in today’s competitive job market! For more information on the position and how to apply, please go to www.nau.edu/ecorep.
Congraulations Sustainability Award Winners!
Congratulations to the following 2012 Campus Sustainability Awards Winners! Thank you to Dr. Laura Huenneke for presenting the awards, to Scott Perelstein for being the Master of Ceremonies, and to Liz Wiggen and the Environmental Caucus for organizing the event. It was a wonderful evening!
Dr. George Koch, Dr. Bruce Hungate, and presenter, Dr. Laura Huenneke
Faculty Award
George Koch, Bruce Hungate and Deborah Huntzinger
Bruce Hungate and George Koch lead the effort to build the Professional Science Masters degree in Climate Science and Solutions, and Debbie does an outstanding job now as its Graduate Coordinator.
Dr. Rich Payne and presenter, Scott Perelstein
Campus Organization
Residence Life & Dr. Richard Payne
Residence Life has quietly been at the forefront of enhancing the culture of sustainability on the campus for many years. Dr. Payne has the ability and desire to achieve pragmatic solutions to environmental challenges, provide learning opportunities, and model sustainable practices.
Lindsay Wagner and presenter, Dr. Laura Huenneke
Staff Award
Lindsay Wagner
Lindsay Wagner is one of the most talented and dedicated employees at Northern Arizona University. For the past 15 years, she has worked her way through school and up the ranks working for the University. Currently Lindsay is the Director of Energy Services and Sustainability in Facility Services.
The Green Fund Committee
Student Group Award
The Green Fund
About 2 years ago a group of students went to the President of NAU with an idea. They wanted to institute a “Green Fund” like they had seen at other Universities. Now finishing their 2nd year in operation, the committee has funded many projects and even managed to exhaust the funding prior to the year’s end. The Committee include committee Chair Melody Hartke and committee members Erik Nolan, Candice Giffen, TJ Fisher, Avi Henn, Shayla Woodhouse, Lindsay Wagner (Facilities), Jacob Dolence (Faculty), and Eva Putzova (Administration). The Green Fund Advisor is Bryan McLaren, Coordinator of the Office of Sustainability.
Cori Cusker and presenter, Dr. Laura Huenneke
Student Award
Cori Cusker
Cori has a rich history of work with Residence Life from Southern Methodist University and is currently working as a Graduate Assistant for Learning Communities at Northern Arizona University in Residence Life. Cori is a Master’s of Sustainable Communities Graduate student and will be graduating spring of next year.
Shelley Silbert and presenter, Nolan Bade
Green Jacks Leadership Award
Shelley Silbert
Shelley Silbert’s contributions to Northern Arizona University focus on environmental and sustainability issues that span almost a decade and infuse every job she held at the University.
Dr. Laura Huenneke and presenter, Derek Hansen
Bike Friendly University
Northern Arizona University
Derek Hansen, member of the Transportation Action Team that successfully applied for the Bike Friendly University designation, presents the Bike Friendly University Award to Laura Huenneke who accepts on behalf of Northern Arizona University.
Kiersten Wilber and presenter, Cori Cusker
Udall Scholarship Winner
Kiersten Wilber
Widely regarded as the nation’s leading scholarship for environmental or sustainability undergraduates, The Morris and Stewart Udall Foundation scholarship is awarded to roughly 10% of over 500 applicants from around the country. This year, an NAU student, for only the second time in the 20 year history of the award, has been selected. Kiersten Wilber, a junior in environmental sciences-biology emphasis joins 67 other environmental scholars from across the US.
Allison Baker and presenter, Scott Perelstein
Hooper Sustainability Award
Allison Baker – S.N.A.I.L. Garden
To further support sustainability efforts on campus the S.N.A.I.L. (Students Nurturing Alternatives In Landscaping) Garden will convert a lawn on North Campus into a space were students who are passionate about local food systems, gardening, and sustainability can express these interests.
Clint Basham and presenter, Scott Perelstein
Hooper Sustainability Award
Clint Basham – Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Criollo Latin Kitchen
It is generally accepted by the scientists of the global community that the causes of climate change are directly connected to the activities of human civilization. To help the local owner add to the sustainability practices already at work there, Clint will measure and report the emissions and provide recommendations for increasing efficiency while reducing emissions. He will also develop a general GHG Inventory framework or template and pilot test that protocol at NAU’s 1899 Grill.
Patrick Pfeifer and presenter, Scott Perelstein
Hooper Sustainability Awards
Patrick Pfeifer – Local FARE Municipal-Scale Compost Research
This proposal requests funding to support research on large-scale composting at Northern Arizona University that will result, among other outcomes, in an informed plan for continued implementation of complete and comprehensive composting of food waste on the NAU campus.
ABOR Approves $18 Million in Campus Energy Retrofits
Posted by Nick in Accomplishments, Energy, New and Announcements on April 6, 2012
In the latest example of Northern Arizona University’s commitment to Sustainability, the Arizona Board of Regents has just approved an $18,000,000 performance contract between Northern Arizona University and the energy services company NORESCO. This contract will allow NAU to save approximately $1,500,000 a year in utility costs and will reduce NAU’s green house gas emissions to below 1990 levels by 2014. The construction will begin in late May and will take approximately 22 months to complete. This contract represents Phase 1 of the campus audit and retrofit with the Phase 2 audit taking place in the Fall.
Lindsay Wagner, the Director of Sustainability and Energy Services for NAU Facility Services says, “This project is the first major step in NAU becoming a carbon neutral campus. This is an opportunity for the university to upgrade lighting and heating and cooling equipment, as well as involving students, faculty and staff in the process which will increase awareness of the campus sustainability efforts and ultimately aid in creating the Culture of Sustainability that we are after. I am very excited to get this project started.”
Some of the highlights of the NORESCO contract include:
- Interior Lighting Upgrades
- Plumbing Fixture Upgrades
- Heating and Cooling Controls Upgrades
- Utility Metering
- Behavioral Change Program
In addition to the infrastructure and building improvements the contract includes a focus on creating a culture of sustainable behavior to further reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Bryan McLaren, the Coordinator of NAU’s Office of Sustainability says, “The NAU NORESCO project will be the single most significant step that NAU has taken towards our Carbon Neutrality 2020 goal since signing the Association of College and Universities President’s Climate Commitment. I am extremely excited to start moving this project into the implementation phase and advancing our culture of sustainability.”
For questions, please contact green@nau.edu.
North Plant Boiler Tour [Video]
Posted by Nick in Accomplishments, Energy on April 2, 2012
Do you know how buildings on campus are heated or how you get hot water in your office or residence hall? NAU recently purchased 3 new boilers that significantly increased the energy efficiency of heating on campus. Check out the exclusive video tour below!
Velo Composting Compost Technician Summer Job
Posted by Nick in Jobs and Internships, New and Announcements on March 29, 2012
If this isn’t the coolest job on campus then I don’t know what is. Velo Composting—a new Action Research Team—is hiring a student compost technician for the summer and it could be you!
The main responsibilities of the position include the following:
- Work with a partner to pick up and deliver loads of food waste from NAU Dining Locations to the compost facility on South campus in a timely manner (~1 hour per day).
- Loads of food waste will be picked up via bicycle and trailer and/or pickup truck.
- Operate hand tools and monitoring equipment to monitor, and assist with maintenance of a large-scale compost system at the new NAU Compost Facility (Located on South Campus by the Solar Array)
- Attend weekly compost team meetings as well as other meetings on an as needed basis
- Garner interest in compost and sustainability
- Work with other units and employees within NAU Dining/Sodexo, Facilities Management/Capital Assets, and in waste collection, monitoring, and documentation.
The full job description can be found here.
To apply, send your cover letter and resume to Pfp6@nau.edu or Bryan.McLaren@nau.edu. The deadline to apply is April 10, so get those applications in soon!
The Mainpat Interdisciplinary Global Learning Project [VIDEO]
Posted by Nick in community, New and Announcements on March 26, 2012
Shot on location in Mainpat, India, December 2011 – January 2012 for the College of Health and Human Services of Northern Arizona University, this video documents the university’s interdepartmental efforts to assist Tibetan refugees in India. Many faculty and students were involved in the trip!
Spring Break Ride for School Gardens
Posted by Nick in Food, New and Announcements, Transportation on March 9, 2012
Sam Hagler and Tim McKinley—two Graduate students in the Sustainable Communities program—have decided to throw the traditional spring break to the wind and participate in a worthy cause instead. According to their facebook page their mission is to:
bicycle 250 miles in Northern California, to raise awareness for the importance of school gardens as supplementary educational tools. With your help, we hope to raise $5,000 to support the schools’ independent gardening programs.
The money they raise will be used to fund school garden projects in the Flagstaff area in coordination with the Foodlink and School Gardens Aciton Research Teams (ARTs) on campus. Currently, they have raised $375 of their $5,000 goal. To donate, please visit the Ride for School Gardens Razoo page and be sure to follow their journey this week by tuning in to their facebook page.
Good luck Sam and Tim!
No Impact Jack and Eco R.A. Programs
Posted by Nick in Student Groups and Organizations on February 24, 2012
The No Impact Jack and Eco R.A. programs are a great way to begin to learn how to live more sustainably in the Residence Halls on campus. For more information visit nau.edu/noimpactjack!
Medicinal Plants Study Group
Posted by Nick in New and Announcements, Student Groups and Organizations on February 23, 2012
Interested in learning about Medicinal Plants? Check out the Medicinal Plants Study Group brought to you by the Applied Indigenous Studies and Sustainable Communities programs. This study group is for dedicated and serious students to learn and share knowledge of medicinal plants, their healing properties, and native traditional recipes and stories. Each session we will focus on a different plant. both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to join!
Where: SBS West Room 9
When: Every other Friday starting Jan. 27th from 1 – 3:30pm
For further information, please contact:
Marina Vasquez, Traditional Knowledge Scholar, marina.vasquez@nau.edu
Martha James, SUS Graduate ARTs co-coordinator, mej53@nau.edu
Katherine Golfinopoulos, SUS Graduate ARTs co-coordinator, kag247@nau.edu