Monthly Newsletter

A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department

March 1, 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.  Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa Info Table – March 2
2.  Summer Programs Through Macalester’s Dept. of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
3.  Volunteers Needed for SaveSummitAvenue.org
4.  Jobs and Internships with Mississippi Park Connection
5.  Job Openings with Friends of the Mississippi River
6.  Job Opportunity with Repowered
7.  Job Opportunities with City of Bloomington
8.  Internship Opportunities with Lowcountry Land Trust
9.  RAY Diversity Fellowship
10.  Internship Opportunity with Cities Utility Board of Minnesota
11.  Job and Internship Openings with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
12.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

1.  Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa Info Table – March 2

Looking for a summer opportunity? Want to spend your summer outside, working on conservation projects? Look no further!

Stop by the Campus Center atrium to chat with staff from Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa, a nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters.

They are hiring students from all class years for summer positions. They offer opportunities for a variety of majors. Unfortunately, Conservation Corps does not hire international students eligible to work through OPT or CPT.

2.  Summer Programs Through Macalester’s Dept. of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Macalester’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is offering the following summer programs:

MacNest and MacNest Climate Justice  

The Summer MacNest program is their flagship summer internship program where students receive a $6,000 living stipend and 1 academic credit to work with Twin Cities early stage startups. Students will work 35 hours per week and attend weekly workshops to further their learning and experience. Students can apply with or without an internship at a startup.

They are also running our MacNest Climate Justice Program. This program also provides stipends and support, however it pairs students with internships at organizations specifically working toward just, equitable and regenerative solutions to the climate crisis.

Applications for both MacNest programs can be found on their website and are due March 6, 2023, at 9 am.

Live It Fund & MacStartups

Have an idea that could help build a better world? The Live It Fund could be for you! The Live It Fund provides funding and support to any student who has identified a problem and has a proposed innovative solution. Projects can be completed locally, nationally or internationally.

Or maybe you have a business idea you’d like to explore? MacStartups has you covered. MacStartups is an intensive program for students of any major or experience level to launch their ideas globally, nationally, locally or right here on campus. Students will have access to accomplished mentors who have founded successful ventures, and industry specific mentors

Both of these programs run for 10 weeks over the summer and provide a $6,000 living stipend plus $500 of per project expense reimbursement. Projects can be completed individually or in teams of up to 3 students.

Come to one of our info sessions or office hours to learn more! All dates/times can be found on our website including the application which is OPEN! Applications due Monday, March 20, 2023, at 9 am.

3.  Volunteers Needed for SaveSummitAvenue.org

Message from Susan Ritt, Assocciate of CW Marketing and Communications:

I am the volunteer coordinator for the group SaveSummitAvenue.org.  We are focused on saving the tree canopy along the 4.5 mile stretch which includes more than 1500 trees.  Their independent arborist team estimates that the city’s current plan for a bike trail along the avenue will result in the destruction of approximately 950 trees along the avenue.

We are desperate to save the trees while allowing for an alternate safe plan for all along Summit Avenue.

We are hoping Macalester students, whether as part of an environmental club or a group of concerned students can help. Time is of the essence as we hope to provide the city council and others with details of the environmental devastation the current plan will wreak. They plan to meet in early April, so the time to act is now.

Their proposed project:

1. Create a strong visual impact by building snow people on Summit Avenue near major intersections to hold SOS (Save Our Street) signs.  Important intersections include Summit and Lexington, Summit and Snelling, etc.
2. Measure the circumference of all the trees on Summit (not all, just a few blocks as assigned), and, using a free online tool, calculate the value of each tree, both economically and environmentally. This tool will measure each tree’s ability to filter storm water, emit oxygen, sequester CO2 and provide shade and cooling. As you know, these trees are irreplaceable, and losing them is much more than a matter of aesthetics.

Sincerely,
Susan Ritt
Associate of CW Marketing and Communications
651-335-1834
[email protected]

4.  Jobs and Internships with Mississippi Park Connection

Mississippi Park Connection strengthens the enduring connection between people and the Mississippi River by enriching the liofe of the river and the lives of all who experience our national park, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.  They have various jobs and internships available.

5.  Job Openings with Friends of the Mississippi River

Friends of the Mississippi River has these job openings:

• Youth Coordinator, which is a full-time role that will run their ESI program and develop curriculum.
• Event Assistants to help lead volunteer events and their storm drain stenciling outings.

Questions?  Contact Sophie Downey, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, 651-222-2193, ext. 27, [email protected].

6.  Job Opportunity with Repowered

Repowered is an industry leader in electronics recycling and refurbishing. One of the largest collectors of e-waste in the state of Minnesota, their Twin Cities-based organization has processed more than 40 million pounds of electronics—all while adhering to the highest standards of data security.  They want to apply for some federal grants and would like to contract someone to work on as a contractor with them on three to five grants over the course of the year. Contractors don’t need to be Minnesota based.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Maria Jensen, Environmental, Health and Safety for Repowered, 651-350-3784, [email protected].

7.  Job Opportunities with City of Bloomington

The City of Bloomington, MN is hiring two new Sustainability Specialist positions. One position will focus on the City’s climate-related initiatives (mostly energy and transportation), and the other will focus on the City’s solid waste diversion initiatives.

• Sustainability Specialist (Climate Engagement)
• Sustainability Specialist (Solid Waste)

Applications will be accepted until March 6, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST.

Questions?  Contact Emma Struss, Sustainability Coordinator, 952-563-4862, [email protected].

8.  Internship Opportunities with Lowcountry Land Trust

Lowcountry Land Trust is excited to announce four summer internship opportunities for degree-seeking students who are passionate about land conservation and environmental protection.

• Land Stewardship Intern: This position will provide hands-on experience in the management and stewardship of conserved lands, including annual monitoring activities on private properties.
• GIS and Conservation Planning Intern: This role will support the land trust’s conservation planning efforts through GIS analysis and mapping.
• Communications and Outreach Intern: This internship will focus on increasing public awareness of the Lowcountry Land Trust’s mission and initiatives through various communications and outreach efforts.
• Nonprofit Operations Intern: This position will provide support to the day-to-day operations of the organization, including administrative and archival tasks and project management.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume and three (3) references in one PDF addressed to Ellen Blake, Operations Director, to [email protected] by March 10, 2023. Initial screening interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

9.  RAY Diversity Fellowship

10.  Internship Opportunity with Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota

The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota (CUB) is the independent advocate for Minnesota utility consumers. CUB works at the Public Utilities Commission, the state legislature, and with Minnesotans around the state to help consumers understand their energy bills and options and to ensure utility service is affordable, reliable, and clean.

CUB is seeking a motivated intern to support their outreach program. The intern will support CUB’s outreach events and help people understand their electric and gas bills, how to reduce energy waste and save money, their options for renewable energy, and potential steps for home decarbonization/electrification.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in a career in energy, environmental issues, and/or consumer advocacy. The intern will be encouraged to build their professional experience and network as a part of the internship, and CUB’s staff will make introductions to professionals in areas of the intern’s interest.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Initial review of applications will begin on March 15, 2023. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Carmen Carruthers, Outreach Director, [email protected].

11.   Job and Internship Openings with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has a these openings for summer 2023:

American Conservation Experience (ACE)
Summer Youth Conservation Crew Coordinators (2 positions)

• Dates: May – August 2023 (16 weeks preferred)
• Location: Bloomington Education and Visitor Center – 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
• $600/week living allowance based on 40 hour work week
• $400/week housing allowance (not to exceed $6400)
• Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior Public Lands Corp non-competitive hiring authority
• Application Deadline – Sunday, March 26, 2023

Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) MANO Project Internships
Community Engagement Intern (1 position)

• Dates: Negotiable 6 month fellowship
• Location: Bloomington Education and Visitor Center – 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
• $1,280 bi-weekly stipend based on a 40 hour work week
• $1,000 monthly housing stipend provided
• Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior Public Lands Corp non-competitive hiring authority
• Application – Open until filled

Geographic  Information Systems Intern (1 position)

• Dates: Negotiable 6 month fellowship
• Location: Bloomington Education and Visitor Center – 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
• $1,280 bi-weekly stipend based on a 40 hour work week
• $1,000 monthly housing stipend provided
• Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior Public Lands Corp non-competitive hiring authority
• Application – Open until filled

Questions?  Contact Christopher Dunham, Internship Coordinator, 952-412-3060, [email protected].

12.   Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake