Monday, March 8, 2010
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CES News
- Environmental Study Abroad Opportunities for Undergraduates, March 11 (Thursday)
On Campus
- EEB Seminar, "Community genomics reveals microevolutionary processes in microbial communities," March 8 (Today)
- Film screening: “Blue Vinyl” Explores the Dangers of Polyvinyl Chloride, March 9 (Tuesday)
- EEB Brown Bag Lunch, "Genetics of C4 convergent evolutions,” March 12 (Friday)
- Sociology Colloquium speaker is J. Timmons Roberts, March 9 (Tuesday)
- Sustainable Energy Resources Panel Discussion, March 10 (Wednesday)
- “What’s Going On? The facts about toxic chemicals in personal-care products and what we need to do to make products safer for everyone,” March 13 (Saturday)
- Save the Date: Taking Root National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, May 17-19
Internships & Opportunities
- Organic Valley Hiring Produce Pool Coordinator
- Position Opening: Ecology Project Assistants
- Ever thought about teaching in China?
- Summer of Solutions - please APPLY to make the green economy your future
- Grant Applications for Marine Research, Conservation, and Education Initiatives
- Jobs available at New England Aquarium
- Brazil Biodiversity Partnership
- Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Program Coordinator, Farm Fresh RI
- Live, Learn, and Intern in the Nation’s Capital as Part of the Machon Kaplan Social Action Internship Program
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CES News_____________________
Environmental Study Abroad Opportunities for Undergraduates
Interested in studying environment abroad? Come to the Environmental Study Abroad session, sponsored by CES and ECI, on Thursday, March 11th at noon in the UEL, room 106.
Hear from students and faculty about semester-long environmental study abroad opportunities near and far. Special feature, the Brown-MBL Semester in Environmental Science. To share your study abroad experience with the community or for more information, please contact Prof. Heather Leslie at Heather_Leslie@brown.edu.
Thursday, March 11 at Noon
UEL 106
Agenda
12:00-12:10 Welcome and Faculty perspective
Heather Leslie, CES/EEB
12:10-12:20 Resources for Study Abroad at Brown
Ned Quigley, Office of International Programs
12:20-12:35 Introduction to our featured program, Semester in Environmental Science
Ken Forman, MBL
12:35-12:50 Student perspectives on environmental studying abroad opportunities
SES: Liz Gomez, Marshall Moore
SFS: Lee Richter
Mystic: Sarah Corman
On Campus_____________________
Sociology Colloquium speaker is J. Timmons Roberts, Director of Environmental Studies and Professor of Sociology, Brown University.
Climate Change, Social Theory and Justice
Tuesday, March 9th, 12 Noon,
Zimmer Lounge, lower Maxcy Hall.
In the wake of the meltdown in Copenhagen, we are left to ask: Why have climate change negotiations between nations of the global North and South gone on for decades without producing any substantial results? To address this question, Professor Roberts will revisit and seek to integrate insights from several disparate social theories, including structuralism (new and old), world systems theory, rational choice institutionalism, and social constructivism.
____________________________________
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminar
This seminar series brings in outside speakers from around the world to generate interactions with our group. Speakers are selected by faculty and graduate students to complement research interests within the program
March 8: Sheri Simmons, Assistant Scientist, Marine Biological Laboratory
"Community genomics reveals microevolutionary processes In microbial communities."
12:00 PM
Sidney Frank Hall Life Sciences Building
Nathan Marcovitz Auditorium, Room #220
________________________________
Film screening: “Blue Vinyl” Explores the Dangers of Polyvinyl Chloride
Tues. March 9, 4:30pm
Smith-Buonanno 106
With humor, hope and a piece of vinyl siding firmly in hand, Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Judith Helfand and co-director Daniel B. Gold travel from Helfand’s hometown to America’s vinyl manufacturing capital and beyond in search of answers about the nature of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Helfand's parents’ decision to re-side their house with this seemingly benign cure-all for many suburban homes turns into a toxic odyssey with twists and turns that most ordinary homeowners would never dare to take. The feature-length documentary won the cinematography award in the documentary competition at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.
The screening, free and open to the public, is on Tues. March 9 at 4:30 p.m. in Smith-Buonanno, Room 106, 95 Cushing St.
Also, meet filmmaker Judith Helfand on March 18, part of a panel discussion on Toxicity (http://www.brown.edu/Faculty/COSTS/events/ ). Panel also features Profs Phil Brown and Kim Boekelheide.
________________________________
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Brown Bag Lunch Series
This informal seminar series is intended to provide a vehicle for members of the program to share current research and problems in a relaxed atmosphere. It serves as a sounding board for the new research of both students and faculty and promotes collaboration and interactions within the program.
March 12: Pascal-Antoine Christian, Postdoctoral Research Associate EEB "Genetics of C4 convergent evolutions."
Eddy Auditorium
Biomed Center 291
Off-Campus_______
Sustainable Energy Resources Panel Discussion
Wednesday, March 10, 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown
The four panel members — Margaret Janzen, director of energy supply and distributed generation at National Grid; Julian Prokopetz, energy program associate for Environment America; Tyson Slocum, director of energy at Public Citizen in Washington, D.C.; and Sen. Susan Sosnowski, D-West Kingston, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture — will speak about sustainable energy. The American Association of University Women is sponsoring the event, and there will be an opportunity at the end of the discussion for the audience to ask questions of the panel members.
Free and open to the public.
________________________________
“What’s Going On? The facts about toxic chemicals in personal-care products and what we need to do to make products safer for everyone.”
Saturday March 13, 4-5:30 p.m.
The Westin, 1 West Exchange St., Providence.
Presentation by Mia Davis, the national grassroots coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and question-and-answer session with Davis, Clean Water Action of Rhode Island and Ava Anderson, the 16-year old founder of Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, a company that has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
To register: RSVP by sending an e-mail to intern@safecosmetics.org with “March 13" in the subject line.
Info: Visit safecosmetics.org.
________________________________
Save the Date: Taking Root National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
Farm to Cafeteria is TAKING ROOT all across the country. Entering its second decade, Farm to Cafeteria is becoming a permanent fixture of school meals. It’s now the subject of collaborations with community groups, of state policy, and even of a new national initiative within the US Department of Agriculture.
During the conference, attendees with have the opportunity to learn about initiatives involving pre-school, K-12, childcare facilities, hospitals, colleges and prisons. One workshop—Farm to School by Land and Sea—will include examples of integrating local seafood into cafeteria menus. Prospects for professional development will abound with short courses on media training, policy advocacy, and research and evaluation.
The conference has something to offer everyone, from field trips and short courses to workshops, a sampling of local foods and perhaps best of all…the chance to connect with others. Join us in Detroit as we work together towards forging new frontiers in the realm of Farm to Cafeteria.
For more information and to register, visit www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org/.
Internships & Opportunities_______
Organic Valley Hiring Produce Pool Coordinator
The Produce Pool Coordinator is responsible for managing produce farmer production information and communicating to sales staff and the Produce Program Manager the ongoing availability of produce. The Pool Coordinator will be involved in several aspects of the Produce Pool operations, including creating and enforcing pool policies, production management, conducting Produce Pool meetings and farmer education and training. This position will use on site field inspections and crop progression/yield estimates to project harvest timelines and quantities. This position is the first line of on-farm product quality inspection and harvest training and is essential in organizing further development of procurement, production, and delivery systems within the Pool.
For more information, visit http://www.organicvalley.coop/our-story/employment/
________________________________
Position Opening: Ecology Project Assistants
The West Virginia Natural Heritage Program is part of the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources, a state government agency. The Natural Heritage Program is responsible for conducting inventories for, maintaining electronic databases and manual files on, and disseminating information about rare species and exemplary natural communities in the state. It is a member program of NatureServe. Additional information about the ecology aspects of the program can be found on the internet at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/Ecolog.shtm .
Summary of Position:The ecology project assistants will work as part of a team to complete grant funded projects within the community ecology group of the West Virginia Natural Heritage Program. These projects use standard Natural Heritage methodology to sample vegetation plots, maintain databases, classify community types at the association level, develop state conservation ranks and occurrence specifications, and document and map individual occurrences.
The position will be stationed in Elkins, located near scenic mountain areas with abundant year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Fieldwork during the summer months will involve week-long overnight travel, possibly camping and/or sharing motel rooms. The position will provide experience in many phases of a Natural Heritage community ecology project. Expected start date is April, 2010 for one position. The second position can start in April, May, or possibly early June. This is a temporary, 1,000 hour position with wage of $9-12 per hour and limited benefits.
Duties:
- Sample vegetation plots as part of a 2 person crew. Standard methods include collecting location coordinates with a GPS, identifying and estimating cover of all vascular plant species, digging soil pits, collecting soil samples and specimens of unknown plant species (including non vascular plants), measuring environmental variables, and describing environmental conditions and landscape context.
- Survey populations of rare plants and animals tracked by WV Natural Heritage Program when they are encountered within the project areas.
- Collect and process plant specimens. Includes pressing and drying specimens, entering label data, and mounting specimens on herbarium sheets.
- Plot data entry and quality control. Enter plot data in an Access database.
- Process soil samples from plots. Dry and sieve soil samples for chemical analysis by an outside lab.
- Assist with other Natural Heritage Program projects and events as needs, interest, and time dictate.
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in ecology, botany, or related discipline is preferred.
- Plant taxonomy skills, an understanding of the principles of community ecology, and familiarity with the biota and natural communities of the Appalachians.
- Ability to work independently and in collaborative roles. Excellent communication skills.
- Skills and experience in GPS, GIS, and databases.
Application:
Send resume and cover letter to:
Jim Vanderhorst
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
PO Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241
Email: jimvanderhorst@wvdnr.gov
Phone: 304-637-0245
________________________________
Ever thought about teaching in China?
China Education Initiative (CEI) is a nonprofit established in 2008 with the support of the Ford Foundation, Princeton University, and Tsinghua University to target education issues in low-income rural schools. CEI pairs US and China graduates to serve as full-time teachers in China; the US fellows are responsible for teaching English, which is part of China’s National Curriculum. CEI is the only program which pairs US and Chinese fellows in long-term service, developing cross-cultural collaboration and promoting educational reform in the local communities.
Fellowships are two-year long with CEI providing:
- A stipend commensurate with local salaries
- Housing accommodations
- A six-week intensive summer training
- Visa sponsorship and required documentation
- Medical Insurance
- Travel grants on a need basis and assistance obtaining student loan deferments.
- Ongoing support throughout the academic year and post-fellowship opportunities
CEI works closely with a network of renowned US, Chinese, and international partners, and is:
- The first non-governmental accredited full-time teacher sourcing channel in China, as designated by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education
- Drawing on Princeton in Asia's more than 100 years of experience as a partner institution
- Working in partnership with China's premiere institution, Beijing Normal University, and with the Dartmouth College Teacher Education Program, to implement a comprehensive teacher training and support system
- Operating under the strategic guidance of McKinsey & Company
Application Deadline: March 10th 2010
Please visit www.chinaeducationinitiative.org to access our Online Application.
Interested? Need more information? Contact us at: ceirecruiting.brown@gmail.com
________________________________
Summer of Solutions - please APPLY to make the green economy your future
The Summer of Solutions is a program run by Grand Aspirations to train youth leaders to create, implement, and strengthen community-based solutions to climate change, economic recession, and environmental injustice. We bring young people together for a summer to learn not only about the problems of dirty energy, the economy, and environmental discrimination, but also to figure out solutions that create livelihoods for ourselves and our communities. We work to create solutions through energy efficiency, community-based energy, green industry, urban farming, smart design, and more. The program began in 2008 in St. Paul, MN, and has since expanded through our diverse national network to 13 programs nationwide.
This summer, we're running programs in:
Asheville, NC
Austin, TX
Burlington, VT
Cleveland, OH
Corvallis, OR
Dallas, TX
Fayetteville, AR
Harrisburg, PA
Iowa City, IA
Detroit, MI
Santa Fe, NM
Twin Cities, MN
Worcester, MA
For more information about specific programs, and to apply, check out the Grand Aspirations website (http://www.summerofsolutions.org) and our blog (http://solutionaries.net).
Full-time fellows will spend two months working building their skills as green economy innovators through mentorship with existing solutionaries and hands-on practice in creating careers in sustainable community development. Please apply and/or encourage other who you think may be interested to do so. Apply online at www.summerofsolutions.org - deadlines vary by programs (see the website), but are typically in March and April for programs that start in June.
________________________________
Grant Applications for Marine Research, Conservation, and Education Initiatives
Those conducting marine research, marine conservation, and/or marine education initiatives along Nantucket, Vineyard, Rhode Island, Block Island, Fishers Island, or Long Island Sound qualify as a candidate for a Sounds Conservancy grant. The Sounds Conservancy is a program of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation/Atlantic Center for the Environment (QLF), a non-profit organization that exists to support the rural communities and environment of eastern Canada and New England. The Sounds Conservancy was established to protect the estuaries and coastal waters of the Sounds of southern New England and New York from Long Island Sound to Nantucket Sound; and to secure the protection of its marine resources through a small grants program to encourage marine education, research, advocacy, and conservation.
The 2010 application deadline is 15 April 2010. Grand notification will take place by 30 April 2010. Please note The Sounds Conservancy provides small grant awards to serve as supplemental support for the applicant’s work. Given the current economic climate, grants will be reduced in value, however, we will do our absolute best to provide as much support as possible. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding.
Additional information, mapping of past grantees, and copies of the application may also be found on the program’s pages of the QLF website: www.qlf.org/atlantic_program/commun_conserv.htm
________________________________
Jobs available at New England Aquarium
The Animal Health Department of the New England Aquarium is currently accepting applications for a Biologist 1, and a Water Quality Specialist.
Biologist 1
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Director of Animal Health, monitors and manages the health of the animals at the Aquarium.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists veterinarians with medical cases as needed. Performs animal examinations, restraint, diagnostics, treatments, and necropsies.
- Administers and/or ensures that all prescribed treatments are administered to patients and ensures that appropriate husbandry care is provided for hospitalized animals.
- Maintains and operates medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and environmental life support, (blood analyzers, radiography units, microscopes, wet/dry procedure table, filters, etc.); maintains and catalogues documentation of the proper use and maintenance of this equipment.
- Monitors quarantine compliance for new animals by maintaining medical records for the quarantine animals and by scheduling/performing exams for animals entering and exiting quarantine.
- Maintains accurate and complete medical records, images, slides, databases, and information archives.
- Researches biological or medical information on cases and/or diseases. Corresponds with other NEAq departments or outside institutions when needed to gather or relay information concerning medical cases.
- Performs weekly rounds with husbandry staff.
- Manages volunteers and college interns to aid in the completion of essential job functions.
- Possesses ability to perform water quality testing.
- Performs other position – related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s or Associates degree in biology or veterinary technology preferred or 2 years of job-related experience required. Experience in aquatic animal husbandry or veterinary medicine preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent math skills and computer skills.Experience with medical diagnostic equipment.
- Availability to work weekends required.
TO APPLY SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:
HUMAN RESOURCES
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
CENTRAL WHARF
BOSTON, MA 02110-3399
E-MAIL: JOBS@NEAQ.ORG
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Environmental Quality Specialist
JOB SUMMARY:
The Environmental Quality Specialist is responsible for monitoring water, air, light, and sound quality, administering environmental treatments and monitoring the management of life support systems in conjunction with aquarists and mechanical systems operators in both routine and emergency situations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Monitors environmental quality of the varied and unique life support systems using chemical, electronic, microbiological and electrochemical methods.
- Assists supervisor to organize, train and supervise volunteers to monitor water quality.
- Performs water treatments, administers therapies and monitors life support systems in conjunction with aquarists, MSOs and other Animal Health department staff.
- Integrates available water and environmental quality information to make sound animal health related decisions. Assists AHD staff to trouble-shoot animal health related problems.
- Monitors lab supplies and keep supervisor informed of possible shortages.
- Monitors Aquarium’s harbor effluent to assure compliance with EPA regulations.
- Performs other job related tasks, as assigned.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in biology or chemistry preferred or equivalent relevant job experience required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Word applications.
- Experience with life support systems and analytical chemistry equipment.
- Availability to work weekends required.
TO APPLY SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:
HUMAN RESOURCES
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
CENTRAL WHARF
BOSTON, MA 02110-3399
E-MAIL: JOBS@NEAQ.ORG
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
_______________________________
Brazil Biodiversity Partnership
Brazil Biodiversity Partnership is a Brazilian-American joint venture that arranges guided expeditions to native preserves that are usually deemed off-limits to the general population in areas such as the Amazon Rain Forest, the Cerrado (Brazil’s central scrubland), and the Atlantic Rain Forest. The expeditions are guided by Paulo Bezerra, an agronomist who has been working on sustainability projects in Brazil for the past 12 years. His efforts include projects to repopulate game animals in the forests and waterways of Brazil, improve the health and lives of the indigenous population, and develop medicinal ointments and other products using native Brazilian plants. He has led educational tours for international veterinarians, environmental specialists, university professors and students.
The guided tours include lectures, seminars, demonstrations and practicum. Participants will encounter indigenous peoples, rubber tappers, family-owned farms and farmers, and traditional rural producers.
You can find out more about us and the expeditions we run on our website:
http://www.BrazilBiodiversity.org
________________________________
Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Program Coordinator, Farm Fresh RI
This position is 20-25 hours a week from mid June through October 2010. If other funding comes in we may be able to keep the person on staff during the late fall/winter, but that is to be determined.
The Program Coordinator will work directly with Farm Fresh RI's Program Director and Outreach Director to implement Healthy Foods, Healthy Families.
The Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program offers a curriculum of nutrition education through fun, interactive activities for both parent and child. The curriculum also includes cooking demonstrations featuring healthy recipes and sampling of fresh produce. Low-income families, identified through their participation in WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), sign up at the farmers market for the program. They commit to at least three weeks of the curriculum. Families receive a new item to help them use more fruits and veggies for each week they complete.
From July 13 to September 26, the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program will be offered in English and Spanish to low-income families every week at these markets. Every WIC and EBT client is welcome to participate and can sign up the same day right at the market:
- Armory Park (West End of Providence)
- Broad St. (South Providence)
- Pawtucket
- Woonsocket
The Program Coordinator must:
- Speak English and Spanish fluently
- Have experience in community education (adult, child, or both)
- Have a knowledge of nutrition, cooking, and especially using locally-grown fruits and vegetables
- Have some experience managing people or programs
- Be comfortable with basic research techniques; be able to design surveys in order to evaluate the success of the program
- Have their own transportation and be able to work evenings and weekends. (Tuesdays 4-7, Thursdays 3-7, Saturdays 9-noon, Sundays noon-3)
To apply please send a resume and letter of interest to Christie Moulton christie@farmfreshri.org by April 1st.
________________________________
Live, Learn, and Intern in the Nation’s Capital as Part of the Machon Kaplan Social Action Internship Program
June 13 – July 25, 2010
Intern and receive college credit; housing included
Machon Kaplan is a six-week work/study internship program for college students based out of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Through our unique program, you will be part of a special community, experience real-world public policy work, and learn about Judaism and social justice. The program provides housing, college academic credits for two classes, and some meals.
Download an application on our Machon Kaplan website at http://rac.org/mk.
What have past participants said about their summer experience? Read the Machon Kaplan blog to find out! http://rac.org/confprog/machon/mkblog/
_______________________________
Please send questions, comments and stories to:
CES Newsletter Editor, Kelly Nichols
kelly.maree.nichols@gmail.com
Thanks!