Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Summer Announcements - July 24, 2013

Dear Environmental Studies Minors,

Below, please find important messages from Prof. Martha Carlson Mazur and Prof. Noah Snyder as well as several summer announcements regarding job opportunities, and internship opportunities.  I hope you are enjoying your summer!

ESP News and Events
1.       Letter from Prof. Martha Carlson Mazur
2.       Note from Prof. Noah Snyder, ESP Program Director
3.       New Fall Courses of interest to ESP Minors

Internship Opportunities, Travel Opportunities and Graduate School Presentations
1.       Internship with Environment America
2.       Sustainability Internship with Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School
3.       Internships with EnergySage
4.       Study in Belize Next Winter
5.       Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
6.       Green Corps Environmental Training Program
7.       Texas A&M Research Experience in Costa Rica
8.       Environment Massachusetts

Best,
Kevin

B. Kevin Brown
Graduate Assistant, Environmental Studies
617-552-2477
Devlin 213

Summer Office Hours: Monday 1:00-5:00pm, Wednesday 1:00-5:00pm, and Friday 1:00-3:00pm


All,

My time as a visiting professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Boston College has been very rewarding, and I have enjoyed being part of the community here. In the fall, I will begin a tenure-track position at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. Bellarmine recently established a new School of Environmental Studies, and I am excited to help grow their environmental program. It has been a true pleasure getting to know all of you, and I look forward to hearing of your continued success in the future.

Please feel free to contact me at the address or email provided below.

Dr. Martha L. Carlson Mazur
Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Studies
Bellarmine University
2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205
mmazur@bellarmine.edu

Best regards,
Martha Carlson Mazur



As you see from the letter above, Dr. Mazur is leaving BC this summer. Please join me in thanking her for excellent work in teaching and research at BC over the past year and a half. She will be missed!

We have hired a new Visiting Assistant Professor for the ESP, Dr. Gabrielle David. She will be joining us her in August. Dr. David did her undergraduate work at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and has MS and PhD degrees from the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, finishing there in 2011. More recently, she was a visiting professor at Bowdoin College in Maine. We’ll introduce Dr. David more thoroughly at the end of the summer.

This fall semester, Dr. David will be teaching Environmental Systems: Ecosystems (GE201) and River Restoration and Management (GE312). Many of you will get to know her one of these classes. For students registered for GE312, note that with the change in professor from Mazur to David, the content of this new course has changed a bit as well. See below for the course description. If you have any questions about this course, contact Kevin Brown (envstudies@bc.edu) or me (noah.snyder@bc.edu).

Have a great rest of your summer, and I look forward to seeing in the fall.

Noah
--
Noah Snyder
Director, Environmental Studies Program
Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department



GE 312 River Restoration and Management (Fall: 3 credits)
Prerequisite: GE170 or GE203 or BI201 or by permission of instructor
This course focuses on one of our most fundamental resources, rivers, and the science behind management and restoration. Rivers, floodplains, and wetlands transfer sediment, nutrients, and contaminants, while providing ecosystem services such as species habitat, clean water resources, hydroelectricity, transportation, and recreation. Subsequently, there are many stakeholders and goals for management and restoration projects. We will investigate qualitative, quantitative, and statistical methods used to understand the exciting complexity of river processes and applications of these methods to management plans. Furthermore, we will explore how restoration of river form is related to aquatic habitat restoration in the channel and surrounding wetlands.
Gabrielle David

GE 275 Integrating Scientific Research, Service to the Community, and Social/Environmental Justice (Fall: 3 credits)
Cross Listed with ED550
This course is designed for environmental studies minors, secondary science teachers, or those who are interested in learning more about conducting scientific research. A key feature of this course will be the engagement in the design and development of research projects around air quality, hydroponics, and alternative energies. Embedded in each project will be the need to learn how to power and utilize alternative energy systems to maintain and sustain the equipment needed for each research project.
Mike Barnett



Environment America interns will spend their fall semester making a big difference on critical environment issues and learning a ton, while getting the experience they need to launch a career in the environmental movement after graduation.

Read more about our internship program here. Interested candidates can complete an online application here.

Monique Sullivan
Recruitment Director
Environment America
(202) 461-2448



Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School is a public school located in a small Massachusetts town in need of college interns for our sustainability group, called the Green Team. The intern will be a part of our Team which focuses on preserving the environment and promoting environmental awareness and stewardship. The Green Team Mission Statement is as follows:

The Manchester Essex Regional Middle and High School Green Team unites students, teachers, and the two communities of Manchester and Essex around the hope of reducing waste, promoting and increasing recycling and other forms of “green” disposal, simplifying sustainable living, but above all facilitating a passion that will protect our planet for future generations.

This is a great opportunity for a student who is passionate about the environment, promoting awareness and getting experience in sustainability, which will be a large part of our future. As with any type of internship, there is no monetary compensation for this position, however, the position promises to be a tremendous learning experience and will add considerable depth to any resume!

Included in the internship will be:
·         approximately 14 hours a week (this is flexible and can be increased or decreased)
·         creating public relation-type events
·         working on creating the ‘Green Cape Ann Coalition’ with other neighboring public schools in the area
·         decreasing our waste
·         bringing the green team into the elementary schools
·         organizing fundraisers and activities
·         exploring computer software that can enable less printing & postage
·         ongoing presentations for school council and school committee – updating them on past, current, & future initiatives
·         public relations such as working with students to produce a monthly newsletter and promoting green efforts in local newspapers, working with and incorporating teachers, students and staff and finding ‘green’ speakers to come to present to our school.
·         Working with the idea of completing a garden on campus that the Life Skills class will work with.

Of course as next year comes, our areas of need will expand and grow and therefore the specifics of the job will change. Finally Manchester-Essex needs someone who is friendly; works well with children and teenagers and is passionate about making Manchester-Essex’s Green Team the best it can be.
If interested or would like more information, please contact me at 978.526.4412 or magerse@mersd.org.

Thank you,

Eric Magers
Director of the Green Team


As a start-up we operate in a very fluid environment so responsibilities can shift based on the day to day needs of the business. That being said, we also are able sometimes to shift responsibilities based on the skills that interns bring to the table (the upside of resource constraints!). In general, we are looking for smart, enthusiastic interns with decent writing skills, a working knowledge of clean energy and environmental issues and the ability to grasp that we are coming at this issue from a slightly different angle, emphasizing the investment aspects and economic benefits in addition to the environmental ones.
BLOGGING INTERNS (unpaid)
Job Description:Blogger. Interns will work closely with VP of Corp. Comm and other members of the EnergySage executive team to determine and research topics and develop and promote content for our blog. Topics will be related to clean energy in general, the financial benefits of adopting clean energy, the environmental benefits of clean energy, useful information about determining what clean energy is most appropriate for home and business owners, topics related to the purchase process, etc. EnergySage is very cognizant that this should be a mutually beneficial relationship and is committed to providing opportunities that will build experience / skills.
Qualifications:EnergySage is seeking 2 interns with exceptional writing skills to assist with our blogging efforts. Applicants should have a basic understanding of and interest in clean energy and personal finance as well as knowledge / skills related to blogging. Knowledge of WordPress is useful, but not required
Please email Eileen Newman, VP corporate communications atEileen@energysage.com 
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS (unpaid)
*Job Description:  the social media intern(s) will support all of EnergySage's social media activities including, but not limited to, sourcing content to share, creating content, posting content, "participating in the online conversation" about topics related to EnergySage's business / interest, tracking and measuring the success of our social media efforts, etc. EnergySage is very cognizant that this should be a mutually beneficial relationship and is committed to providing opportunities that will build experience / skills.
Qualifications:  candidates will have a working knowledge of the main social media channels, knowledge of how to communicate via social media, an understanding of / interest in clean energy and / or personal finance.
Please email Eileen Newman, VP corporate communications atEileen@energysage.com

About EnergySage
EnergySage.com simplifies the shopping process for solar and other clean energy technologies by creating an informative, transparent marketplace for homeowners, businesses and non-profits. Our free suite of educational, analytical, and shopping tools -- all in one convenient, easy to use website -- help consumers determine suitable clean energy solutions and confidently proceed with installing solar, wind, geothermal or other technologies at their home, business or non-profit. Consumers can learn about clean technologies and their financial and environmental benefits; they can shop using our automated Marketplace, which provides a simple, transparent, empowering comparison-shopping experience; and they can share their knowledge and experience with others who are looking to make similar switch to clean and renewable energy.  EnergySage.com helps manufacturers, installers, builders, financiers and other professionals by increasing consumer awareness, knowledge and demand for their services. By growing the market, we help the industry by driving sales and profits and reducing customer acquisition costs and sales cycle times.  EnergySage:  Learn.  Shop.  Share.  www.energysage.com.  EnergySage.com is operated by Distributed Energy Research & Solutions, Inc.


Are you searching for an opportunity to put your studies in environmental science or ecology to work in a field setting?   The Institute for Sustainable International Studies, ISIS, is offering ecology field courses in Belize that offer you a chance to study in the tropical English-speaking setting of Belize and gain valuable professional and personal experience.  Belize’s rich environment, cultures and biodiversity are the labs for these courses.  About 40% of the land and sea areas of Belize are set aside in protected areas, parks or reserves to protect its diverse flora and fauna. 

One student summarized his experience by saying: “The field trips were the best in the Marine Ecology class. Nothing like getting outside and experiencing first hand and being able to converse with the locals!  I learned a lot about the environments and problems in Belize and its culture and customs.”

For the syllabi and course itineraries, click on the links below:
Our two week winter session runs from December 26, 2013 to January 7, 2014, including travel days.  The cost, $2,995, includes one course, accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, field trips and excursions, breakfasts and one transcript for transferring credit.  Airfare is not included.  Students receive three (3) credits from Sacred Heart College.  The application deadline for winter is October 1st.  Our 2014 summer sessions run in June and July.   There are two week and four week programs for $2,675 and $4,225.  The application deadline is March 1st for summer 2014.  Application forms are available on the ISIS website.
The syllabus for each course is available on the ISIS website, www.isisbelize.com, or by clicking the link above.  Cynthia Reece, creece@isisbelize.com, the Program Manager for ISIS, can respond to questions related to housing, logistics, course costs, and other details.  



The MA DOER Internship Programs seeks to provide interns with exciting opportunities to assist DOER with implementing energy policies in areas such as renewables, energy efficiency, alternative transportation, energy markets, and more.  The program is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, law school students, and other individuals who are seeking experience in the energy arena.





Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.

In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.

For more information, read below or visit our web site:
www.greencorps.org.

Apply online today at greencorps.org/apply

Green Corps
44 Winter St, 4th Fl
Boston, MA
02108
617 747 4302



Texas A&M University is again hosting a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site funded by the National Science Foundation for 10 undergraduate students to conduct cutting-edge research in a transitional cloud forest in central Costa Rica.  Specifically, the REU site provides a unique international opportunity for students to be immersed in the practice of active inquiry and research in:
1.     Ecohydrology: feedback between forest vegetation and hydrology from the scale of an individual leaf to the entire stand 
2.     Hydrology: movement and distribution of water through the forest from above-canopy precipitation and cloud immersion, to stream and groundwater flow 
3.     Meteorology and climatology: spatial and temporal variation in precipitation, evapotranspiration and boundary layer structure from the scale of an individual stand to the entire watershed 
4.     Soil Science:structure and geochemistry of forest soil 
5.     Biogeography: distribution and structure of forest vegetation at various scales in the watershed
Successful applicants will receive all expenses paid trip to Costa Rica in addition to a $500 a week stipend.   Further information about the program can be found at http://costaricareu.tamu.edu/ and a description of the Soltis Center for Research and Education in Costa Rica can be found at http://soltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu/.



Environment Massachusetts has a number of internship opportunities posted on their website.  For more information, please visit http://environmentmassachusetts.org/page/jobs or contact Alison Giest, Environment Massachusetts, New England Federal Field Associate, at agiest@environmentmassachusetts.org or 813-215-3604.