Monthly Newsletter

A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department

February 9, 2023

Any upcoming events, job opportunities, conferences, or other environmental news received by the ES Department are included in this newsletter. More information on the items listed in This Just In! can be received by contacting the ES Department. Current and archived issues.

In This Issue….

1.  Presentation on Sulfide Mining – February 13
2.  Presentation on Climate Change Injustice in Tibet – February 16
3.  Internship Opportunity with Global Health Ministries
4.  Field Courses with Danta
5.  Research Opportunity with University of MN SOAR – REEU Program
6.  Common Tides Summer Program
7.  Job Opportunities with Natural Shore Technologies
8.  Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps
9.  Lamont Summer Intern Program
10.  Ecosystem Field Studies
11.  NASA DEVELOP National Program
12.  NSF Research Experience
13.  Internship Opportunities with AATRA
14.  Jobs Opportunities at Tree Trust
15.  Research Experience at Miami University
16.  Internships with Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department
17.  Environmental Health Supervisor Job
18.  Oregon State University Summer Internship
19.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

1.  Presentation on Sulfide Mining – February 13

“Sulfide Mining:  A Threat to Clean Water and Indigenous Rights”
February 13, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
Macalester Library Harmon Room (#133)

Global mining giants Rio Tinto and Talong Metals are planning a new nickel sulfide mine near the Mississippi River and sacred wild rice lakes.  In this presentation, you will learn more about this critical issue and what you can do to protect water and demand a just transition to clean energy.

Dinner will be provided

Presented by Honor the Earth.

2.  Presentation on Climate Change Injustice in Tibet – February 16

“Climate Change Injustice in Tibet:  Impacts and Adaptation
February 16, 2023, at 4:45 p.m.
Macalester Alexander G. Hill Ballroom

Lanegran Day Keynote speaker is Dr. Emily T. Yeh from the Department of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder.

The Tibetan Plateau is exceptionally sensitive to global warming. It has experienced, and is expected to continue experiencing, higher average temperature increases, and more intense, frequent, and longer duration climate extremes than the global average. In this presentation, Dr. Yen will discuss some of the multidimensional impacts that these changes are having on Tibetan herders, as they intersect with political-economic and sociocultural processes.  In particular, she will consider climate change in relation to the question of (in)justice, not just in terms of impacts, but also in policies for climate change adaptation.

Register to attend:

In person:  https://forms.gle/RB24kMNvWpCButHh8
Via zoom:  https://tinyurl.com/2023DALdays

3.  Internship Opportunity with Global Health Ministries

Global Health Ministries (GHM) is a Minnesota, faith-based NGO that partners in low-resource countries to improve health. GHM partners in over a dozen countries where Lutheran churches manage hospitals, clinics, and community-based outreach. It is their vision that building partnerships will result in thriving community health systems that are measurably stronger, more effective and sustainable.

Global Health Administration Partners (GHAP), the consulting arm of GHM, helps strengthen leadership, governance and financing, with programmatic emphasis on community based primary healthcare (CBPHC). They are looking for a Global Health Intern which will work with the GHAP Director to assist with projects and consulting infrastructure. The work is project-specific to support global consulting efforts.

Responsibilities:  Project-dependent at time of internship, examples include:
• Strengthen Country Partner Profiles for one or more Partner countries
• Research selected priority initiatives, e.g., digital empowerment for CHWs
• Prepare with Director a monthly communique for Country Partner Leaders
• Participate in specific Country Partner project support, as appropriate
• Support development and/or implementation of GHAP social media

To apply, please send your statement of interest and qualification, along with your resume to Rob Thames, FACHE, FHFMA, GHAP Director [email protected].  Applicants are encouraged to submit early as review and interviews will begin in March and selection will conclude in April. Open until filled, $500 Stipend

4.  Field Courses with Danta

Danta is pleased to announce their 2023 field courses in tropical biology. Their courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical ecosystems and conservation, but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Participants may enroll on either a credit or non-credit basis.

• Conservation and Sustainable Development in Costa Rica – June 5-22, 2023
• Methods in Primate Behavior and Conservation – July 10-15, 2023

For more information, please visit their website or email [email protected]. For an alumni perspective on our programs, please see our blog DANTAisms.

5.  Research Opportunity with University of MN SOAR-REEU Program

The SOAR-REEU program at the University of Minnesota provides summer undergraduate research opportunities in science and sustainable food systems research. The program will provide up to 10 full-time summer research positions to undergraduate students through the USDA-REEU program during the summer of 2023. .

6.  Common Tides Summer Program

Common Tides, a 501(c)3 non-profit, had a wonderful expedition this past summer where they worked with 144 local youth that are experiencing disadvantages. Without your support in sharing their programs to your community, they would not have been able to make this happen. This summer they have two program offerings in the U.S. Virgin Islands:

The Intern Expedition is aimed at providing free marine science and sailing programs to local children that are experiencing disadvantages and is open to all genders and majors.

The Women’s Leadership Expedition (WLE) is an immersive, experiential program that is centered around leadership education and stewardship with a focus on providing women the knowledge to become the optimal version of themselves as a conscious leader.

7.  Job Opportunities with Natural Shore Technologies

Natural Shore Technologies (Independence, MN) is a well-established ecological restoration company serving the Twin Cities area. Their mission is to provide high quality restoration at a reasonable cost and passionately support environmentally sound land management. They design, install and maintain shorelines, prairies, rain gardens and other natural landscapes for public agencies, and commercial and residential clients. They have a nursery operation that provides Minnesota native plants to a wide range of commercial and retail clients.

Restoration Maintenance Manager – Full Time

They are looking for a motivated and dependable person with a passion for natural resources. The Restoration Maintenance Manager oversees a variety of ecological restoration projects, ranging from small raingardens to large scale native restoration sites throughout the Twin Cities area.

Application deadline:  February 10, 2023.

Environmental Restoration Technician – Seasonal

They are looking for a motivated and dependable person with a passion for natural resources. The primary role of the Environmental Restoration Technician is to complete ecological restoration work in the field. This will be done by assisting Crew Leaders with aspects of ecological restoration projects, such as planting, seeding, tool maintenance, brush cutting, light equipment operation, herbicide application, and various other tasks. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in ecological restoration, plant identification, and maintenance activities.

Application deadline:  March 15, 2023.

Questions?  Contact Mike Spies, [email protected].

8.  Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps

9.  Lamont Summer Intern Program

Columbia Climate School Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is offering the Lamont Summer Intern Program for undergraduates from U.S. colleges and universities.

During this experience, interns get to try on research science careers, achieve a level of comfort on a top-level research campus, and establish close personal relationships with mentors who are successful professional scientists. Students work in our lively interdisciplinary research and education communities and are individually mentored by at least one of our scientists over 10 weeks each summer.

The goals of the program are for students to learn through their own experience what research is like so they can explore research careers; develop self-confidence in their independent research, communication abilities, and scientific identities; and form lasting professional relationships with scientists.

Applications are due by February 22, 2023, with Letters of Recommendation due by February 29, 2023.

10.   Ecosystem Field Studies

Ecosystem Field Studies (EcoFS) is offering two 3-credit field courses this summer:

• Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies
• Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies

EcoFS courses are a valuable complement to students’ classroom knowledge and an excellent opportunity to practice scientific field research skills. The courses are accredited for 3 undergraduate semester credits by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program (ENST 391). Undergrads of any year in an ecosystem related departments/majors such as yours are welcome to apply. There is no set deadline to apply. Feel free to review all course info at the EcoFS website.

Questions?  Contact Steve Johnson, Professor and Course Director, [email protected], 303-859-0173.

11.   NASA DEVELOP National Program

12.   NSF Research Experience

Applications are now being accepted for a Summer 2023 NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program based at the University of Vermont. This REU will provide eight American undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds an opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research on the ecological, economic and cultural roles of on-farm crop diversity in rural Vermont and rural Uganda.

Under the eight-week summer REU program students will receive training at the University of Vermont (UVM) in rural development theory, social survey research methods, spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and written and oral communication. Working with partners in Uganda students will collect and analyze original farm, household and spatial data from smallholder farms and surrounding communities, and work closely with faculty mentors to prepare presentations and manuscripts on links between crop diversity and livelihood outcomes.

Completed applications including 2 letters of recommendation can be submitted online and review of applications will begin on February 28, 2023, and continue until filled. The 2023 Summer REU Site program will run from approximately June 13 – August 8, with some flexibility depending on Covid-19 travel restrictions, safety precautions, and quarantine needs. All travel costs will be covered by NSF and the summer program includes a generous stipend. All participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at a U.S. college or university at the time of the program (seniors graduating in Spring 2023 are not eligible).

13.   Internship Opportunities with AATRA

The National Center for Appropriate Technology’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program supports farmers, ranchers, agriculture educators, and land managers at every stage of their agricultural journey. ATTRA is a trusted source of sustainable agriculture information and maintains a knowledge base of practical multimedia resources for farmers, ranchers, and educators. NCAT’s agriculture specialists work directly with farmers, ranchers, land managers, and others across the country to provide individualized technical assistance, offer practical learning opportunities, and facilitate meaningful connections among producers, experts, researchers, and industry professionals.

From the basics of starting a farm to marketing locally grown products, and from organic specialty crop production to regenerative livestock management, our sustainable agriculture specialists provide trusted, practical multimedia resources to nearly 35,000 farmers each year.

Find an internship with ATTRA.

14.   Jobs Opportunities at Tree Trust

15.   Research Experience at Miami University

Miami University (Oxford, OH) has a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site with the theme Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes. Now in their 21st year, they define “ecology” very broadly; they faculty mentors come from a variety of departments and conduct research in aquatic ecology, microbial ecology, evolutionary ecology, population ecology, behavioral ecology, landscape ecology, phylogeography, conservation, geography, and environmental science. The 12 REU students will learn how research in ecology, evolution, and environmental science is conducted in landscapes altered by human activity. Students will also engage in service that enhances environmental quality in local communities. Students will conduct their own research projects, integrate their research with the work of others, and consider the larger implications of human domination of landscapes and the role of science in solving environmental problems. Enrichment activities will focus on professional development; environmental ethics and responsible conduct of research; service to the community; and interactions with diverse scientists from other institutions.

The program is 10 weeks in summer 2023 (May 28-August 5). Program benefits include a stipend of $6000, free housing, a food allowance, and covering of travel costs to/from Oxford, Ohio. Apply through the NSF ETAP portal. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2023.

Questions?  Contact Madeline Bach, REU Graduate Assistant, at [email protected].

16.   Internships with Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department

The Environmental Health Division of the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department has multiple internships available, including one focused on outreach and engagement (attached).

17.   Environmental Health Supervisor Job

Saint-Paul Ramsey County Public Health has an opening in the Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit for an Environmental Health Supervisor.  The Solid and Hazardous Waste Compliance program works countywide to assure compliance with regulations related to hazardous and solid waste through licensing and inspection, consultation, and training. This includes non-residential generators of hazardous waste, solid waste haulers, facilities that manage solid and hazardous waste, and buildings slated for demolition.

This position will provide oversight of the county environmental charge; lead and manage regulatory work consistent with the department’s compliance strategies; lead and/or coordinate other environmental health projects; assist in budget development and monitoring; and update ordinances as needed.  This position works cooperatively with state and local agencies; works with other division management staff on leadership and management coordination; and works jointly with Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy to oversee implementation of Joint Activities.

18.   Oregon State University Summer Internship

Oregon State University is pleased to announce summer internships, Building Resilient Communities, for undergraduate students on the topic of resilience. The Engineering for Bouncing Back (EBB) and Clean Water Initiative (CWI) programs will provide research experiences for undergraduates (REU) in hand-on and interdisciplinary research on building resilient communities.

During the ten-week program, students will work with a faculty mentor and graduate student on a specific project and develop research skills to increase graduate school opportunities. In addition, students will participate in cohort-building activities such as field trips to communities facing unique challenges in resilience and film nights focused on community resilience stories. Professional development activities include weekly skill-building workshops and panels, a 10-page project report, and a final program symposium.

Applications are due March 15, 2023.

19.   Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake