PSU Environmental Club

Week of May 16

2010-05-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

The year is almost over! We are having coordinator elections - if you have any interest in leading, apply. We will train you if you're elected, so don't stress. Our second to last meeting is next Thursday with an earlier starting time (4:30).

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club Meeting - Change in Starting Time
Thursday, May 20, 2010
4:30 pm
GreenSpace, SMSU 28

At our 2nd to last meeting this year, we'll be accepting coordinator applications. We'll also be talking about this year, how it's gone, what we should do over the summer, our upcoming volunteer activities, and maybe more about the ridiculously horrible oil spill. Maybe we can do something for it

Hope to see you here.

So You Want to Be a Coordinator…
Elections are coming up! Apply to be a coordinator. We'll train you. Elections will be held at our final meeting (with Hot Lips pizza) on Thursday, June 3. The decision is made by the entire group.

POSITION DUTIES:
Coordinator position:
3 available positions
6 - 10 hours a week average
$111/month, 9 months of pay, from end of Sept until end of June, summer prep time is required, and will be determined by elected coordinators
Duties: planning and leading meetings, helping coordinate a campaign (like this year's Take Back the Tap or Earth Day program - campaigns are decided by members at beginning of year), answering emails, staying on top of paperwork for budget, planning events, keeping in touch with other coordinators

Assistant coordinator position:
(was originally Native Garden coordinator)
~4 hours a week
$0/month (But, oh, the satisfaction!)
The assistant coordinator position is a good lead-up to being a full coordinator. Less hours, less responsibility, but good experience.
Duties: helping plan & set up events & meetings, overseeing the Native Garden and organizing a work party if necessary (or convincing someone else to do so!)

Please prepare the following application information:
    * your full name and PSU ID number
    * your motivations for applying
    * previous organizing experience (don't worry if you don't have any, and organizing a study group does count)
    * time availability next year
    * people skills - ability to compromise, fulfill obligations, etc
    * do you have easy access to campus? (live near, bike, or etc)

Submit application no later than the Environmental Club meeting on Thursday, May 19th at 7pm.

Volunteer at the Learning Gardens
Saturday, May 22, 2010
6801 SE 60th Ave.
10:15am - 2pm

Come and help the Environmental Club at their summer kick-off volunteer event! Join us at the Learning Garden Laboratory for an afternoon of gardening and community. And guess what!? Those of you not a fan of our usual early morning volunteer events will be happy to know that this event starts at 10:15! After a short orientation we'll get our hands in the dirt.

Campus events:
Portland State University's Third-Annual Sustainability Celebration
Monday, May 24, 2010
Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom 3rd floor
4-6 p.m.
4 p.m. Reception and poster session
5 p.m. Program and climate action plan signing

Join us for a celebration of this year's sustainability activities at Portland State University, including:
• Official signing of PSU's 2040 Climate Action Plan by President Wim Wiewel
• Introduction of Robert Costanza, incoming director, Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices
• Sharing of successes by students, faculty and staff
• Poster session for sustainability projects

Light refreshments served. Free and open to the community.

www.pdx.edu/sustainability

Climate Action Plan review
Dear Environmental Club Members,

I am pleased to present the latest version of the PSU Climate Action Plan for review by members of the Environmental Club.

The Plan is available for download at: http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/climate-action-plan
We are hoping that faculty and students will help us identify campus-based research projects that can be included in the Plan.

Comments are being accepted through May 16 at greencampus@pdx.edu and through the following surveys:

    * Students
    * Faculty
    * Staff

Please join us
Portland State University's 3rd Annual Sustainability Celebration will be taking place 4-6pm May 24, 2010 in the SMSU Ballroom (rm 355).
- 4pm Reception/poster session
- 5pm Program with remarks by the President, signing of the Climate Action Plan, stories from PSU students/faculty/staff, and an introduction to the new CSP2 director, Robert Costanza.

Thank you for your consideration,
Noelle Studer-Spevak

Other:
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
I found some interesting info about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Thought I'd share.

Video of the oil leak - shows oil gushing out of broken pipe:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/12/us/1247467832643/video-shows-oil-gushing-into-gulf.html

Other problems the Gulf of Mexico faces - dead zones, trash, industry, and now the oil spill:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/09/weekinreview/09marsh.html

Shows daily spread of oil:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/01/us/20100501-oil-spill-tracker.html

Almost dead week? No, not really.

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

Earth Day this THURSDAY 10 am - 6 pm

2010-04-21T01:08:00.001-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Earth Day is Thursday!!

Go to the Festival, visit the Environmental Club tables (Take Back the Tap, Mix Your Own Green Cleaner, Start Your Own Seeds), check out all the vendors, artists, and bands!
If you have these materials, please bring them to the GreenSpace TOMORROW between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm

seeds & egg crates for "Start Your Own Seeds"
jars, plastic screw-lid containers, & essential oils for "Mix Your Own Green Cleaner"

PSU Earth Week and Earth Day 2010
http://psuearthweek.org

Earth Day Festival
April 22 event features bands, vendors, demonstrations and keynote by Sightline Institute’s Alan Durning

WHAT: Portland State University students will host an all-day Earth Day festival, featuring outdoor performances by bands, a noon address by Sightline Institute Founder Alan Durning, food, community groups, vendors, sustainable technology demonstrations, and more.

Performers include The Soul Mechanics (with members of Hot Buttered Rum and Fruition), Morning Teleportation, Everyday Prophets, Luck One, Sudden Anthem and Off the Grid.

WHEN: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010

WHERE: South Park Blocks at Portland State University

COST: The event is free and open to the public.

CONTACT: PJ Houser, PSU Earth Week Coalition, psuearthweek@pdx.edu. For more information and a complete list of Earth Week activities (April 17 – 24), visit www.psuearthweek.org. Find us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/bJNtZh

BACKGROUND: PSU Earth Day 2010 is the culmination of a full week (April 17-24) of “Sustainability in Action”: student-led sustainability projects across the city. Activities range from planting gardens at Portland Public Schools and an eco-documentary marathon to cooking in a cob oven and mixing green cleaning products.

SPONSORS: PSU Earth Week is sponsored by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning; the PSU Environmental Club; and the Sustainability Leadership Center.

Additional support comes from community sponsors, including Dave's Killer Bread, Columbia Gorge Organic, Portland Farmer's Market, Andie Petkus Photography, Renewable Project Northwest, Natracare, and others. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation will provide carbon offsets for the entire event.

psuearthweek@pdx.edu
http://psuearthweek.org

Campus events:
Student Elections - Vote!
Protect the Environmental Club's and other student groups' funding!

Voting for ASPSU president, vice president, senators, and Student Fee Committee (in charge of $12 million of our student fees). Sign in to Banweb, click on Student Elections 2010, and vote! Deadline is 5 pm, Thursday, April 22nd.

Earth Day Earth Day Earth Day!

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

Week before Earth Day 2010

2010-04-15T04:43:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Earth Day is next Thursday! PSU Earth Week kicks off Saturday, April 17, and includes a ton of fun activities, from garden planting to cob oven cooking to green cleaning DIY. The highlight of the week will be the Earth Day festival on Thursday, April 22 from 10 am to 6 pm in the PSU Park Blocks. There will be several local bands, tons of artists, vendors, non-profits, activities, and campus groups. Visit psuearthweek.org for a schedule of events.

P.S. There will be no Environmental Club meeting next week because we'll all be at the Earth Day festival!

Environmental Club events:

PSU Earth Week and Earth Day 2010

Campus events:

PSU participates in AASHE's Sustainability Tracking and Rating System
PGE and PSU partner for sustainable projects

Community events:

Hands On Greater Portland Cares Day
MHS Green Team hosts 2nd annual Greenstock Earth Day Concert
TapIt lists Portland cafes that will provide tap water to the public, no complaining!
Portland BPS chooses recipients for the 2010 Portland Recycles! Small Grants Program

Other:

President Obama Challenges Americans to Take Action to Improve the Environment in Honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Define Our Decade Summer
Colorful Energy Awareness Widgets
For sustainability outreach fans: Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Energy Feedback Technology Design
A Tucson school and its No-Oreo zone: Kids at school can't bring processed food
Innovative architecture and design for sustainability
Internet collaboration at its best - Indoor Hydroponic Window Farms
20 billion ways to save water

Environmental Club events:
PSU Earth Week and Earth Day 2010
http://psuearthweek.org

Earth Day Festival
April 22 event features bands, vendors, demonstrations and keynote by Sightline Institute’s Alan Durning

WHAT: Portland State University students will host an all-day Earth Day festival, featuring outdoor performances by bands, a noon address by Sightline Institute Founder Alan Durning, food, community groups, vendors, sustainable technology demonstrations, and more.

Performers include The Soul Mechanics (with members of Hot Buttered Rum and Fruition), Morning Teleportation, Everyday Prophets, Luck One, Sudden Anthem and Off the Grid.

WHEN: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010

WHERE: South Park Blocks at Portland State University

COST: The event is free and open to the public.

CONTACT: PJ Houser, PSU Earth Week Coalition, psuearthweek@pdx.edu. For more information and a complete list of Earth Week activities (April 17 – 24), visit www.psuearthweek.org. Find us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/bJNtZh

BACKGROUND: PSU Earth Day 2010 is the culmination of a full week (April 17-24) of “Sustainability in Action”: student-led sustainability projects across the city. Activities range from planting gardens at Portland Public Schools and an eco-documentary marathon to cooking in a cob oven and mixing green cleaning products.

SPONSORS: PSU Earth Week is sponsored by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning; the PSU Environmental Club; and the Sustainability Leadership Center.

Additional support comes from community sponsors, including Dave's Killer Bread, Columbia Gorge Organic, Portland Farmer's Market, Andie Petkus Photography, Renewable Project Northwest, Natracare, and others. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation will provide carbon offsets for the entire event.

psuearthweek@pdx.edu
http://psuearthweek.org

Volunteer opportunities - we need your help!
Before Earth Day:
Promotional team: Pass out fliers in Park Blocks, table, visit classrooms, or put up posters on campus and around the city.

At the Earth Day festival...
Green Team: Help PSU Recycles monitor recycle & compost bins and prevent contamination.
Set up: Help set up tables, chairs, tents, etc. Shift is from 8 am - 10 am.
Take down: Help take down the event. Shift is from 6 pm - 8 pm.
Info booth: Provide guidance to visitors, vendors, etc. 2 hour shifts from 10 am to 6 pm.
Activities leader or assistant: We need people to lead the activities and assist. Multiple activities will be occurring throughout the day at the festival, such as face painting, yoga, green cleaning products, etc. The activities aren't finalized. If you have any ideas, please submit them to psuearthweek@pdx.edu or ecpsu@pdx.edu. If you would like to lead any of the activities or know someone who could, please email us.

To volunteer, contact psuearthweek@pdx.edu or reply to ecpsu@pdx.edu

Campus events:
PSU participates in AASHE's Sustainability Tracking and Rating System
...& PJ is famous
For the second consecutive year, Portland State is participating in the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System, a comprehensive program that collects data from campuses nationwide to determine how universities stack up in terms of sustainability.

The program, commonly known as STARS, considers everything from classes at a university to its waste management and recycling programs. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education oversees the collection of data from 130 colleges and universities across the nation to offer a comprehensive look at how sustainable a campus is, according to the program’s Web site....

PJ Houser, assistant in the Campus Sustainability Office, said that PSU participated in the pilot year to gather data and look at which areas of sustainability the campus is strong in and where it needs improvement.
http://www.dailyvanguard.com/reaching-for-stars-at-psu-1.2213683

PGE and PSU partner for sustainable projects
Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon
Nathalie Weinstein
March 31, 2010

Portland State University and Portland General Electric on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding for a long-term partnership to make Portland a more sustainable city.

The partnership came from a task force appointed by PGE president Jim Piro and PSU president Wim Wiewel to see how the groups could work together on urban sustainability projects.

Now, the university and the utility will work together on research, economic development, community and professional training projects, including a project to get Portland wired for the roll out of electric vehicles later this year.

The MOU also included a $50,000 commitment over two years to create a PGE Foundation Renewable Energy Research lab. The lab will be managed by chemistry faculty Erik Johansson and will look at how semiconductor photovoltaic and photo-electrochemical devices can be made more efficient.
http://www.pdx.edu/news/daily-journal-of-commerce-oregon-pge-psu-partner-for-sustainable-projects

Community events:
Hands On Greater Portland Cares Day
Saturday, April 24th
Times & locations vary

April 5, 2010 - On Saturday, April 24th, Comcast and Hands On Greater Portland will mobilize over 1800 volunteers who will donate 3 hours of their time revitalizing parks, painting schools and sprucing up local non-profits to spark change in our community. You can find a project in your neighborhood by visiting http://www.handsonportland.org/HomePage/index.php/home.html. But sign up fast! Slots are already beginning to fill up for our most popular projects! If you have any questions, please feel free to email James Crews at james@handsonportland.org

Hands On Greater Portland
503.200.3371
james@handsonportland.org
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=29385&a=294651

MHS Green Team hosts 2nd annual Greenstock Earth Day Concert
Saturday, April 24th 2010
12 pm - 9 pm
Molalla, Oregon

The 2nd annual Greenstock Earth Day Concert will take place in the verdant Clark Park near downtown Molalla. The MHS Green Team has organized the event in order to spread environmental awareness and promote a greener way of thinking.

The program will include numerous bands - such as The Hugs, Boy Eats Drum Machine, A Blinding Silence, and Midnight Callers - as well as provide information about recycling, composting, alternative energy and other ‘green’ topics.

Tickets are $2 at the gate, opening at 11am. Music starts at noon and runs until 9pm. Food concessions will be available. The concert will offer patrons a family friendly opportunity to enjoy a day of eclectic regional music, food, and information on how to live more in harmony with the earth.

“We wanted to find a way to reach the community that is not only educational, but also incorporates fun and entertainment.” Kyle Lindsey, Green Team President.

As a club dedicated to environmental consciousness and resource conservation, the purpose of the Green Team is to educate people on the ways we can all work together to make our community and ultimately our planet a better place. Greenstock is one way to expand the community’s environmental IQ through a leisurely day of great entertainment.

For more information contact:
Molalla High School Environmental Club (The Green Team):
Kelila Eichstadt, Communications Officer
503-313-8864
kelilaeichstadt@hotmail.com

TapIt lists Portland cafes that will provide tap water to the public, no complaining!
April 5, 2010 - TapIt is new to Portland and will make it easier for Portlanders to find tap water while on the go. TapIt is happy to be officially launching our program in Portland this week.

We have signed up over 50 local Portland food service businesses to be official 'TapIt Partners' who will always offer free tap water to the public. When on-the-go, Portlanders or visitors can use the TapIt iPhone app, mobile website or look for a TapIt sticker on the windows of cafes to find where they can easily refill their personal water bottles, no questions asked.

TapIt was inspired by the idea that we should all have easy access to a great public resource like water. Even if you are away from your home or your office, you should not feel forced to buy water in a plastic bottle. You should have a clean place to get a water refill, for free. Our partner businesses believe in this idea and want to support the community by offering this service.

We think that using the TapIt network can be fun and helpful. We also hope TapIt will encourage people to think about water, how important it is to us and how we need to work together to keep it clean and plentiful.

Media Inquiries? pr@tapitwater.com
Own a business and want to become our partner? Visit us on the Web!
Find out more about us on Facebook and Twitter (@tapitwater).

William Schwartz
TapIt Water
Community Coordinator
http://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=39678&a=294731

Portland BPS chooses recipients for the 2010 Portland Recycles! Small Grants Program
Portland, Ore – The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Portland Recycles! Small Grants Program.

BPS received a total of 30 applications and 18 groups were funded through the program. The organizations ranged from schools to neighborhood groups to grassroots organizations.

The grant’s goal is to offer neighborhood, community and nonprofit organizations money for projects or items that will help them overcome barriers to waste prevention and increase recycling while educating the community.

Program funding is part of an initiative of the Portland Recycles! Plan for outreach and education around increased waste prevention and recycling in the Portland community.

Some projects include Friends of Trees and Junk to Funk. For more 2010 funded organizations and projects, see
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?&c=44851&a=294642

Other:
President Obama Challenges Americans to Take Action to Improve the Environment in Honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 13, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - President Obama today challenged Americans to take action in their homes, communities, schools, or businesses to improve the environment in honor of the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010. In conjunction with the video message of President Obama, the White House unveiled WhiteHouse.gov/earthday as a resource guide for all those interested in learning how they can help make a difference in their community.

The full text of the video is below:
"Forty one years ago, in the city of Cleveland, people watched in horror as the Cuyahoga River - choked with debris and covered in oil - caught on fire.

Images of the burning Cuyahoga shocked a nation, and it led one Wisconsin Senator the following year to organize the first Earth Day to call attention to the dangers of ignoring our environment.

In the four decades since, we have made remarkable progress. Today, our air and water are cleaner, pollution has been greatly reduced, and Americans everywhere are living in a healthier environment. We've passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and founded the Environmental Protection Agency. And in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River is cleaner than it's been in 100 years.

But the true story of the environmental movement is not about the laws that have been passed. It's about the citizens who have come together time and time again to demand cleaner air, healthier drinking water and safer food - and who have demanded that their representatives in government hold polluters accountable.

That progress continues today, as individuals and entrepreneurs across the country help lay the foundation for a Clean Energy Economy - one solar panel, smart meter and energy efficient home at a time.

Since taking office, my Administration has been a partner in the fight for a healthier environment. Through the Recovery Act, we've invested in clean energy and clean water infrastructure across the country. We're taking the necessary steps to keep our children safe and hold polluters accountable. And we have rejected the notion that we have to choose between creating jobs and a healthy environment - because we know that the economy of the 21st century will be built on infrastructure powered by clean energy.

But even though we've made significant progress, there is much more to do. And as we continue to tackle our environmental challenges, it's clear that change won't come from Washington alone. It will come from Americans across the country who take steps in their own homes and their own communities to make that change happen.

That's why, as we get ready to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I want to leave you with a challenge.

I want you to take action - in your home or your community; at your school or your business - to improve our environment. It can be as simple as riding the bus or the subway to work, making your home more energy efficient, or organizing your neighbors to clean up a nearby park.

Just go to whitehouse.gov/earthday to learn how you can help. And then tell us your story about what you're doing to make a difference.

In the end, it's people like you - the small business owners and community leaders; the teachers and the students; the young people and the grandparents - who have made Earth Day so successful. And it's going to be up to you to make an even bigger difference over the next 40 years.

So let's get to work. Together, we can continue to make progress towards a cleaner environment and a healthier planet."

Define Our Decade Summer
Over the last several weeks young people across the country met with their elected officials to declare our vision of an America powered by 100% clean electricity in the next the 10 years.

But it's not just talk! That's why this summer Energy Action Coalition is partnering with 10 local projects across the country to Define Our Decade with community-based clean energy solutions. Being a part of one of these projects will give you a chance to actually build the world you want to see. These programs will give you the training, tangible first hand-experience, allow you to build lasting friendships, and deepen the movement for change.

Apply today to be a part of the Define Our Decade Summer.

Choose from one of these 10 exciting projects:

    * Cleveland, Ohio: Green a city block through home weatherization and urban gardening
    * Corvallis, Oregon: Organizing to adapt clean energy solutions to community needs
    * Detroit, Michigan: Create a model clean energy community through home weatherization and local food production
    * Fredricksburg, Virginia: Prevent the construction of a dirty coal plant
    * New England, (multiple sites): Bike across the region to connect local solutions and leaders
    * Salt Lake City, Utah: Move beyond dirty coal facilities and tar sands oil development
    * San Antonio, Texas: Environmental justice focus through energy efficiency and urban gardening
    * Twin Cities, Minnesota: Organizing for community-based geo-thermal energy and other local solutions
    * Washington, DC: Create jobs through community driven home weatherization programs
    * West Virginia, (multiple sites): Create community clean energy solutions in the coal fields

These projects exemplify the healthy and just future our generation believes in. Learn more about each project here. to the climate challenge in our own communities so let's get to work! Are you ready?

Apply today to be a part of the Define Our Decade Summer.

Programs have a limited space so apply TODAY before the priority deadline: Next Tuesday, April 20th.

In Solidarity,
Ethan Nuss
Co-Field Director
Energy Action Coalition

Colorful Energy Awareness Widgets
Power Aware Cord
http://gizmodo.com/210972/power-aware-cord-glowing-guilt
Maybe if you could actually see how much energy you're using, you wouldn't leave that PC running all night. That's the idea behind the Static Energy+Design Network's Power Aware Cord, a power strip whose connecting cable glows and pulses. Its electroluminescent wires embedded inside get brighter when more power flows through, pulsing and scintillating with various patterns that are difficult to ignore.

Energy Joule
http://www.ambientdevices.com/products/energyjoule.html
Use the Energy Joule in your home and know immediately when energy prices are rising or falling. Adjust your discretionary energy use in response to the changing color of the Joule, you can save hundreds, even thousands per year while reducing load on the grid. Display shows weather forecast, high temperatures, current cost of electricity and your current energy usage.

For sustainability outreach fans: Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Energy Feedback Technology Design
How can energy feedback technologies leverage existing techniques and theories within motivational psychology to more effectively motivate sustainable energy consumption behaviors? In approaching this question, we argue that designers of such technology need to consider two important points:

Different people hold different attitudes, beliefs and values [5], and are motivated by different things. As such, designers need to develop a range of strategies in order to account for the complexity of human behavior.
Intentional behavior change does not occur as an event, but rather, as a process in a series of stages as defined by the Transtheoretical Model [38]. Individuals move from being unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the problem, to considering the possibility of change, then preparing to make the change, then taking action, and finally, to maintaining the desired behavior over time [38].

See the rest of the report at http://dspace.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/1880/47425/1/2009-943-22.pdf

A Tucson school and its No-Oreo zone: Kids at school can't bring processed food
Arizona Daily Star
Stephanie Innes - Apr. 14, 2010

TUCSON - As her second-grade students take out their lunches, teacher Leticia Moreno quickly spots two with forbidden food - a burrito and quesadilla made with white flour tortillas.

"I will get them peanut butter and honey on whole wheat," Moreno says, taking away the offending meals.

Moreno is a teacher at the Children's Success Academy, a 10-year-old school on Tucson's south side for children in kindergarten through the fifth grade. The school is unique for its food rules - it bans not only white flour, but refined sugar and anything it defines as processed food.

See the rest of the article at http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/04/14/20100414arizona-school-bans-processed-food-for-kids.html

Innovative architecture and design for sustainability
http://www.inhabitat.com/ is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Internet collaboration at its best - Indoor Hydroponic Window Farms
http://www.windowfarms.org/ Window Farms are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials.

Goal 1: to start a Windowfarming craze in New York City and other dense urban areas, helping people grow some of their food year-round in their apartment windows.

Goal 2: give ordinary folks a means to collaborate on research and development of these vertical hydroponic food-growing curtains through the community site at our.windowfarms.org

The Windowfarms Project operates in what seems a small niche, but we hope it might be what Buckminster Fuller would call a "trim tab," a small part that turns giant ships by being particularly well placed. Growing some of our own food is a simple pleasure that can make a big difference in our relationship with nature. As we choose nutrients to feed plants we hope to eat in turn, we gain experience with a nearly-lost fundamental human art, get a microcosmic view of the food system, develop a stake in the conversation, and come up with new ideas for how to take care of ourselves and our planet in troubled times. Let's make this experience possible for anyone!

Each participant in the project makes it easier for the next windowfarmer to grow some of his/her own food. The system design and instruction sets evolve as each person comes up with ideas for improvements or points out problems and we collectively test solutions proposed by the group.

20 billion ways to save water
Some interesting ones:
#10 For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
#13 Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
#94 Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn [or garden] that needs water.
#106 For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
#110 Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.

For the other 106 tips, see http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

April showers bring May flowers... more flowers?!

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

-- PJ Houser Portland State University Sustainability Office Assistant Environmental Club Coordinator

Week of the Almost Dead Week

2010-03-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

At our last meeting, we went to the exhibit Design for the Other 90%. Talk about amazing! So many innovative, yet simple ideas for making people's lives easier.

In the last newsletter, I included the wrong date for the last Earth Week planning forum - it is actually TOMORROW, Thursday March 4th in the Multicultural Center from 11am-12pm.

Environmental Club events:
One more Environmental Club meeting this term!
Thurs, Mar 11
4:30 pm
GreenSpace

One more meeting this term, then Spring Break! Don't worry, we'll be back Spring term. Activities for the meeting to be announced.

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? Contact Lisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com OR just come to our next meeting!
Recycling and composting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at hbdepew@pdx.edu. There are plenty of opportunities to make sure composting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughout campus.
Energy efficiency? Contact Kelly Larson in the Sustainability Office at klar@pdx.edu
Community service? Stay tuned or contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food? Contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com to help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign up for the [bikes] email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU's Sustainability Leadership Center has started a general volunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events and issues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campus events:
Final Earth Day Forum TOMORROW
Thursday, Mar 4th
11 am
SMSU 228

Tomorrow is the third and final Earth Week Student Forum. Please join us in the Multicultural Center this Thursday, March 4th from 11am-12pm to get updates on Earth Week projects and to engage in finalizing the projects for the week. This will be a great forum and we can't wait to see everyone there!

Community Saturday coffee rides
Sat, Mar 6th
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride bikes! Socialize and drink coffee! Join our friends from PSUBAC and others for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSU Millar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles and hang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.Community Saturday coffee rides

Message from the new PSU Bike Hub

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of Transportation & Parking Services we want to welcome you to visit the new PSU Bike Hub. As a PSU student, faculty or staff, you are also welcome to become a member of the Bike Hub. Below you will find information about Bike Hub services, programs, upcoming workshops, and directions on how to sign up to be a member. You can visit us online at http://www.pdx.edu/bikehub.

Located at the SW corner of the new ASRC (corner of SW 6th & Harrison), The PSU Bike Hub is a ten-fold expansion of what had been the PSU Bicycle Cooperative -- a five year long program to help support and encourage bicycling as a means of transportation for PSU students and employees. After much success and a rapidly growing number of PSU community members making the switch to bicycle commuting, the PSU Bike Hub represents the next generation of sustainable and active transportation services. Our mission remains the same: increase the number of bicycle commuters at PSU and empower cyclists with the ability to understand and maintain their own bicycle.

Membership is available for all students, faculty, and staff. To see a full list of membership benefits and fees please visit our website at: http://www.pdx.edu/bikehub/membership-info.

As a member, you will have access to our expanded self-repair area, receive expert advice from our friendly and knowledgeable staff, join bike maintenance and commuting workshops for free, and get discounts on many of our retail items. Be sure to stop by and check out our new selection of commuter accessories, including lights, locks, helmets, bags, rain gear, and all the essential repair parts like brake pads, cables, chains, tubes and tires. We have also added a professional service repair option so that when you’re busy, you can simply drop off your bike for quality repairs at an affordable price.

Winter & Spring 2010 Workshop Schedule:
Mar 8 - Advanced Repairs (Wheels)
Mar 31 - Commuter 101 Class
Apr 6 - Basic Maintenance
Apr 15 - Women's Maintenance/Commuter Class
Apr 19 - Advanced Repairs (Drive-train)
May 3 - Basic Maintenance
May 11 - Women's Maintenance/Commuter Class
May 27 - Advanced Repairs (Bearings)

*NOTE: All workshops are scheduled for 5:00pm-8:00pm. Women’s classes are taught by female staff

Lastly, we'd like to cordially invite you to our Grand Opening festivities, scheduled for April 1st. In conjunction with Campus Rec, we will be offering a variety of events and fun-filled reasons to engage with our new facility. Please be sure to check our website for more details in the coming weeks. For further updates and questions please visit us at http://www.pdx.edu/bikehub.

Happy and safe riding,

Ian Stude
Transportation Options Manager

Community events:
Ecoroof Portland
Fri & Sat, Mar 12 & 13, 2010
10 am - 6 pm both days
Leftbank Annex, 101 N Weidler St, Portland
Trimet: Bus lines 4, 44, or 9. MAX Red & Blue lines

The City of Portland is sponsoring Ecoroof Portland, taking place March 12-13, 2010. Come learn how ecoroofs work, why they're important, and what's next for Portland's rooftops and skyline. With nearly 200 ecoroofs in Portland and an incentive available to help with the costs, it’s the perfect time to get an ecoroof of your own.

If you own property in Portland, manage or own development projects, aspire to work in the ecoroof industry, or simply support sustainable development, Ecoroof Portland is the event to get involved with this alternative roofing approach. Activities will include Portland ecoroof tours, live ecoroof installations, presentations by local and national experts, and workshops to help you get started on your own project.

Fair attendance is free. Vendors can reserve booth space for $250 - applications for display space are available here. Fees will be waived for non-profit organizations or educational institutions that are moving the ecoroof industry forward.

Featured Speakers
Ed Snodgrass
Owner and president of Emory Knoll Farms Inc. and Green Roof Plants. Ed is a member of The Royal Horticulture Society, The American Horticultural Society, The Sedum Society, and The International Plant Propagators Society. Ed is on the board of The Maryland Nurserymen’s Association, and has a book called Green Roof Plants, A Planting and Resource Guide published by Timber Press.

Linda Velazquez
ASLA Associate, LEED AP, is founder and publisher/editor of Greenroofs.com (1999) where she writes and reports extensively about greenroofs, and is principal of Sky Gardens Design, a greenroof design and consulting firm. Linda holds a Bachelor's of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia (2000).

David J. Sailor
Dr. Sailor received his Ph.D. in 1993 in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley where he conducted research as part of the Urban Heat Island Project at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr. Sailor's research is in the general field of "energy and the environment", with applications in air quality, human health, energy, and climate change. He has been a reviewer for and contributing author to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), culminating in his contributions to the IPCC 4th Assessment report which shared the honor of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He is actively involved in several professional societies and is currently the chair of the American Meteorological Society's Board on the Urban Environment.

See the schedule of events at:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=52308&

See also:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=51717

Other:
Greenpeace Organizing Training, now accepting applications
It’s a critical time to join the fight to stop global warming and being a part of the Greenpeace Organizing Term is an amazing way to develop the skills you need to help save the planet.

You can apply today at http://www.greenpeace.org/got. We are still accepting applications for the summer 2010 semester in DC and San Francisco.

The Greenpeace Organizing Term is a semester training program where you’ll learn about grassroots organizing, media, direct action, and campaign strategy. Best of all, you’ll put those new skills into practice by working on actual Greenpeace campaigns – in the U.S. and on the Greenpeace Expedition!

Have you thought about applying before but were worried about the tuition? We can help support you through fundraising to secure funding for the program.

Concerned about taking a semester off? Many students are able to get credit for the program- so you don’t need even need to take a break from school!

Check out our website to apply: http://www.greenpeace.org/got

Plastic rubbish blights Atlantic Ocean
Guess what? They found another plastic garbage patch!!

By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News, Portland

Scientists have discovered an area of the North Atlantic Ocean where plastic debris accumulates.

The region is said to compare with the well-documented "great Pacific garbage patch". Kara Lavender Law of the Sea Education Association told the BBC that the issue of plastics had been "largely ignored" in the Atlantic. She announced the findings of a two-decade-long study at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon, US.

Read more here:
http:/ ews.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science ature/8534052.stm

St. Louis is Opening Streets
St. Louis is hosting its first car-free festival!!

Portland Online
February 26, 2010

The second stop on our tour of Ciclovias around the country is in St. Louis, MO. This is the city’s first year St. Louis Open Streets putting on a ciclovia. The Mayor’s Office of St. Louis has decided to organize four events, which they are describing as, "part bike tour, part block party, a great time for exercise, people watching, and just enjoying our region’s wonderful spring and fall mornings."

The first event takes place on May 1st as a kickoff to National Bicycle Month. It is happening in conjunction with the St. Louis Cardinals-Cincinnati Reds game at Busch Stadium that afternoon. The 6 mile route will take participants through Forest Park, one of the country’s largest urban parks at 1,371 acres (that’s about 500 acres more than Central Park in NYC), and then through the streets past city landmarks like Washington University, the History Museum, and St. Louis Public Library. Musical and cultural activities are planned to be on the route, which will be closed to automotive traffic from 8am – 1pm.

We want to welcome St. Louis to the fast-growing list of cities who are enjoying these fabulous community events!

See the original article at:
http://www.portlandonline.com/?c=51519&a=288440

Dreaming of a tree fort,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

Week after the Sunshine

2010-02-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Weeks are getting busier - and more exciting! We're going on a field trip to the MercyCorps Exhibit for our next Environmental Club meeting. Don't worry, it's only a 20 minute travel time. Make sure to show up at 4 pm in the GreenSpace instead of 4:30!

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club meeting THIS Thursday - Field Trip to Design for the Other 90%
Thu, Feb 25
Meet at 4:00 pm (instead of 4:30 pm) in the GreenSpace

We'll be riding the MAX to the MercyCorps exhibit (28 SW 1st Ave)!

Presented by Mercy Corps and The Lemelson Foundation, Design for the Other 90% features some of the most inspired inventions to improve the lives of low-income people around the world. Go to other90.cooperhewitt.org/about for complete information about this innovative and uplifting exhibition revealing the power of design to improve the lives of millions.

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? Contact Lisa Meersman at

ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com OR just come to our next meeting!
Recycling and composting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at hbdepew@pdx.edu. There are plenty of opportunities to make sure composting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughout campus.
Energy efficiency? Contact Kelly Larson in the Sustainability Office at klar@pdx.edu
Community service? Stay tuned or contact Hanna Davis at
ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food? Contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com to help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign up for the [bikes] email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU's Sustainability Leadership Center has started a general volunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events and issues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campus events:
Bicycle Documentary Night - TWO movies!
Wednesday February 24th
7-9pm
Multicultural Center Smith 228

Hosted by the Community Development Student Group, Planning Club, and the PSU Bicycle Advocacy Collective

We Are Traffic!
We Are Traffic! chronicles the history and development of the "Critical Mass" bicycle movement-- one of the most spirited and dynamic social/political movements of the apathetic 90's. In over 200 cities in 14 different countries, Critical Mass has now become a monthly ritual of reclaiming the streets by bicycle activists riding en masse.

“Return of the SCORCHER”
Return of the Scorcher questions our obsession with "progress" and status and presents a diverse cross-section of cycling visionaries who see the bicycle as a life-affirming vehicle for change.

Food and Beverages provided.

Final Earth Day Forum
Tue, Mar 9
11 am
SMSU 228

Come to the final Earth Day forum and help us finalize our plan for an amazing Earth Week and Earth Day Festival!!

Community Saturday coffee rides
Sat, Feb 26th
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride bikes! Socialize and drink coffee! Join our friends from PSUBAC and others for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSU Millar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles and hang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.

Community events:
Last Metro Hearing on Rural and Urban Reserves
Thursday, February 25
2:00 pm
Metro Council, 600 NE Grand Ave

This Thursday, the Metro Council will make its final decision on Rural and Urban Reserves for the Metro region, and it looks like it will be business as usual. Instead of embracing the opportunity to protect farm and forest land and natural resources for the next generation, it looks like a majority of the Metro Council may vote to make land available for sprawling urbanization for the next land development.

The Reserves process is supposed to protect the heart of the region's farm land and significant natural resources for the next 40-50 years, while also providing some areas for urbanization over that same period. Clackamas and Multnomah counties, and the cities in those counties, conducted a thorough analysis of their future urban needs and balanced them with the needs of food and fiber production and natural resources. Both urban and rural reserves in those areas reflect that balance.

Washington County did not. Urban reserves are slated for thousands of acres of the region's - and indeed the nation's - most valuable farm land, in the heart of the Tualatin Valley. The proposed urban reserves in Washington County represent a noose of urbanization slowly tightening around the Tualatin Valley - north of Cornelius; north, west, and south of Hillsboro; and around North Plains. It is a very short-sighted view of economic development - as though more land is all it takes. A majority of the Metro Council stands poised to approve this.

Please attend the Metro hearing and testify or at least stand-up for local agricultural and natural resources. We will have stickers for you to wear showing you care about local farms. Those wishing to testify will have 1 minute to do so. Let the Metro Council know that this is their "Senate Bill 100 moment." That's the bill that established Oregon's land use planning system - it's why this is a place we all want to call home today. Will our children?

Be the sunshine for Portland,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

2010-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Welcome to the middle of the term! What an exciting time with midterms, projects, sleep deprivation, and... your friends in the Environmental Club! This last weekend, the Environmental Club did a tree planting up in Kenton. This week, we have a meeting with a guest speaker from Food and Water Watch. Hope you can make it!

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club meeting THIS WEEK
Thursday, Feb 11th
4:30 - 6:00 pm
SMSU 326

Julia DeGraw from Food and Water Watch will be visiting.We'll also be sending Obama & some Congress members a few notes about the "clean" nuclear energy, coal, and offshore drilling mentioned in the State of the Union. Perhaps we can also have a handstand contest...

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? Contact Lisa Meersman at
ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com OR just come to our next meeting!
Recycling and composting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com. There are plenty of opportunities to make sure composting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughout campus.
Energy efficiency? Contact Kelly Larson in the Sustainability Office at klar@pdx.edu
Community service? Stay tuned or contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food? Contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com to help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign up for the [bikes] email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU's Sustainability Leadership Center has started a general volunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events and issues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campus events:
Community Saturday coffee rides
Sat, Feb 13th
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride bikes! Socialize and drink coffee! Join our friends from PSUBAC and others for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSU Millar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles and hang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.

Career Information Day Panel: Careers in Sustainability
Wed, Feb 17th
1 pm
SMSU 3rd floor ballroom

Plan to attend the 22nd annual Career Information Day on Wednesday, February 17 from 11:00 to 3:00 in the SMSU 3rd floor Ballroom. Students will be able to meet with representatives from over 60 organizations to learn about various career opportunities. You may also attend a panel discussion at 1:00 to learn about Careers in Sustainability: Food & Food Systems.

Miller Grant Student Sustainability Travel and Conference Awards
The Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices (CSP2) is pleased to announce the Miller Grant Student Sustainability Travel and Conference Awards - Round III for the 2009-2010 Academic Year. It is the intent of the CSP2 to recognize outstanding work of PSU undergraduate and graduate students in the area of sustainability and contribute to their professional development by helping to fund their travel to distant places for scholarly purposes.

Round III of funding will cover travel between April 1, 2010 through June 15, 2010. Applications are due March 2, 2010 by 5:00pm.

Instructions and Applications can be found here: http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/research-funding-and-opportunities.

Community events:
Confluence: Water & Justice symposium at University of Portland
Fri - Sun, Mar 26 - 28, 2010

University of Portland

The University of Portland is holding a symposium, bringing together some of the nation's leading experts to examine various perspectives on water, including environmental justice, protection , science, theology, business, history, law, and the Native American perspective.

The Confluences: Water & Justice symposium opens Friday afternoon, March 26, with a lecture and cruise on the Willamette River followed by a screening of The Water Front, a documentary film on water rights in Michigan. Afterward, director Liz Miller answers questions.

On Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, over twenty experts share their expertise in concurrent sessions. Most sessions pair speakers of different viewpoints to promote discussions.

Maude Barlow - author, activist, and senior adviser on water to the president of the UN General Assembly - gives the keynote address on Saturday night.

Conference registration for Confluences: Water & Justice is free. Tickets for Maude Barlow's keynote are $10 per person; free for ILLAHEE season ticket holders, conference hosts and sponsors, and University of Portland faculty, staff, and students.

More soup & vitamin C please,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

2010-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Welcome to February! Our last meeting was a riot, with green M&Ms and all sorts of upcoming events to sign up for. The next week is gonna be a riot too, in all the right ways!

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club Volunteer Day with Friends of Trees
Sat, Feb 6th
9am – 1pm

Portland Village School, 7654 N Delaware Ave, Portland, Oregon, 97217

Come hang out with the Environmental Club while we plant trees! Please meet at the staging site by 9am to volunteer for this planting. If you have any questions, please contact Andy Meeks at AndyM@FriendsofTrees.org or 503-282-8846 x24. This planting is sponsored by Portland General Electric.

Next Environmental Club meeting
Thursday, Feb 11th
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Location TBA

Julia DeGraw from Food and Water Watch will be visiting.We'll also be sending Obama & some Congress members a few notes about the "clean" nuclear energy, coal, and offshore drilling mentioned in the State of the Union. Perhaps we can also have a handstand contest...

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? Contact Lisa Meersman at
ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com OR just come to our next meeting!
Recycling and composting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com. There are plenty of opportunities to make sure composting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughout campus.
Energy efficiency? Contact Kelly Larson in the Sustainability Office at klar@pdx.edu
Community service? Stay tuned or contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food? Contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com to help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign up for the [bikes] email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU's Sustainability Leadership Center has started a general volunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events and issues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campus events:
Community Saturday coffee rides
Sat, Feb 6th
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride Bikes! Socialize and Drink Coffee!

Join our friends from PSUBAC and others for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSU Millar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles and hang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.

If coffee isn't your cup of tea, try checking out PSU Cycling's longer rides: http://psucycling.com/events

PSU Earth Week Student Forum TODAY!
Tue, Feb 2
2 - 3 pm
Smith's Multicultural Center rm 228

PSU Earth Week is hosting an Earth Week Student Forum for generating ideas and connecting students interested in participating in projects for Earth Week. Come help us brainstorm!

Community events:
University of Portland bans disposable water bottles

Letter that University of Portland faculty and students received:

Dear University of Portland community,

As you may have seen on the news or on our website, as of February 1, the University will no longer sell disposable plastic water bottles at The Cove, vending machines and concession stands and will also cease use at catering events. This move does not apply to the five-gallon Culligan jugs in use throughout campus.

You are encouraged to use reusable/refillable containers and tap water, which is available in water fountains throughout campus and at a water filling station in The Cove. The decision to discontinue the sale and use of disposable plastic water bottles was made in conjunction with Bon Appétit, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Sustainability and student groups.

While this move will take some adjustment on everyone’s part, we truly believe it is the right thing to do. The University used over 53,000 disposable plastic water bottles in 2009 alone, a good amount of which were not recycled, and the environmental impact of producing and transporting the bottles is significant. The water contained in the bottles often comes from distant locations, which only increases the impact from shipping and baling. Furthermore, because water being sold in disposable plastic water bottles is part of a process of privatization of water resources, the sustainable purchasing decision not to buy or sell disposable plastic water bottles also fits into the Catholic belief that water should not be treated as a commodity and that access to water is a universal and inalienable right.

The University of Portland takes seriously its commitment to being a good steward of the planet, and this move will not only reduce the amount of waste generated on our campus but will help focus attention on the critical issues of sustainability and water rights.

Thank you for helping us make our campus greener.

(Rev.) E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
President

Rally for Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030
Thu, Feb 4th
BUILD IT Rally from 1:30 – 2:00 pm
Public Hearing for the Portland Bicycle Plan from 2:00 – 3:30 pm
City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave.

This Thursday, City Hall will be deciding whether or not to adopt the plan. The plan has a lot of support and will most likely be adopted. However a plan without funding is only a plan, a wish, a dream if you will.

There will be a rally at the city hall hearing this Thursday to show our elected officials that while the plan is great...it needs to be funded and it needs to be built!

The rally will start outside then we will go inside for the hearing at 2:00pm. If you want to speak at the hearing get there at 1:30 to sign up, it sounds like all statements should be under 2 minutes.

BTA's BUILD IT campaign website:
http://www.portlandbikenetwork.org/toolkit/testify/

Chris Smith's blog:
http://pdxplanningcommissioner.com/2009/11/12/whats-the-bike-plan-worth/

PBOT's page (Has links to full text of the plan):
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=44597

If you can't make it to the rally or meeting:

* Send emails or call City Council. Tell them whatever you think, and tuck in the phrase "Built It" if you want to drive home the point that they should actually build it. You can keep it short, or give them lots of detail. Be sure to tell them you're a Portland voter.
- Sam Adams: samadams@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4120
- Amanda Fritz: amanda@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-3008
- Randy Leonard: rleonard@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4682
- Nick Fish: nick@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-3589
- Dan Saltzman: dan@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4151

* To stay current, become a fan of "Build It" on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BuildIt2030

Volunteer at the Hedges Creek Marsh
Sat, Feb 6th
9 am - 12 pm
Meet in Kaiser Permanente parking lot, 19185 SW 90th Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062

Join our volunteer project to help harvest and install native willow, dogwood, and spirea cuttings.

Please contact Jennifer Wilson to RSVP or for additional questions. Phone: 503.957.6980 or E-mail: jennifers@wetlandsconservancy.org

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead

Students Against LNG Hike & Action Retreat
Sat, Feb 6th
9AM-9PM, Portland & Mt. Hood National Forest

Join students from across Oregon while we hike in Mt. Hood National Forest in an area threatened by a pipeline to import greenhouse-gas-intensive Liquefied Natural Gas. Then, we will work on planning actions and events to stop the LNG projects in Oregon. Be part of fighting the biggest threat to our sustainable future. Be a part of this movement for social justice. And, play a key role in running a strategic campaign to protect our climate. We need you!

*Car pools and a place to stay on either Friday or Saturday night will be available.

Sign up here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1810/t/10427/signUp.jsp?key=4792

What we will do:
Join the Columbia Riverkeepers' Conservation Director, Dan Serres, for a beautiful hike in Mt. Hood National Forest. Then, plan actions and events that you can bring to your campus for the other half of the day. What else could be better?

Background: The biggest dirty energy project on the west coast is proposed for Oregon. Three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and over 600 miles of pipelines are currently proposed to import greenhouse-gas-intensive foreign fossil fuels. LNG is as dirty as coal and is much more carbon intensive than the natural gas we currently use. If these projects go through, all of the progress Oregon has gained against Boardman Coal plant and all of the efficiency measures taken, WILL BE LOST.

There is a huge and growing movement against these projects. Students have played an important role in this movement in the past but now we are getting organized more than ever before! Join us and help run a five month campaign to grow the movement. The campaign will escalate over the next few months and show its face with a huge action at the NW Natural Gas headquarters during a shareholders meeting in May. Lets mobilize and escalate.

Sign up here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1810/t/10427/signUp.jsp?key=4792

Join the facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265829923839&ref=nf

Banana pants!

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

P.S. If you don't want to receive these emails, please reply with "remove me from the list" in the subject line.

gift-giving

2010-01-13T23:29:00.001-08:00

Sustainable gift-giving

Ideas discussed by the group before the Winter holidays, but for using anytime gift-giving is needed!

-used books
-magazine subscriptions to environmental magazines
-Better World Shopping Guide
-reusable water bottles or mugs
-service gift cards (like massage, etc)
-plants, like herbs or air purifying plants
-contribution to Heifer International
-donations in their names
-REI

Week of cram sessions and all-nighters

2009-12-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving break! Only twomore weeks, but some exciting events are happening. This Friday, PSUwill reveal its first draft of the Climate Action Plan (carbonneutrality by 2050!), and you're invited to the discussion to give yoursuggestions. Also, the Environmental Club is having its last meeting ofFall term this Thursday. If you miss this one, you'll have to wait awhole month for your next Environmental Club fix!

EnvironmentalClub events:
EnvironmentalClub's final meeting of Fall term
Thursday, Dec 3rd
4:30 - 5:30 pm
GreenSpace, SMSU 28

For our last meeting of the term, we will be talking about sustainablegift-givin' and holiday-celebratin'.It'll be a shorter meeting than usual so we can all get back to someserious studying. Bring treats if you feel like it, but mostimportantly, bring your beautiful selves and take a short break fromthe books. After the meeting, those who are interested can stay to talkabout theSeasonal Portland Cookbook.

Environmental Club's Seasonal PortlandCookbook
At our last meeting, some folks had a bright idea - let's make acookbook geared towards local & organic foodstuffs in Portland!

At the next meeting on Dec 3rd, bring yer recipes! For those that areinterested, we'll sit down immediately after our next meeting and dosome delegatin' and some outlinin' and some all around good plannin'.If you can't make it but have some recipes burning a hole in yourbrain, email them to me!

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com.Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Environmental Club workshops will be startingin November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center at dnokovic@gmail.com
Stopping climatechange? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Stiles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!
Community service? Staytuned or contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food?Contact PJ Houser at ecpsu.maple@gmail.comto help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign upfor the [bikes]email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campusevents:
PSU'sClimate Action Plan DraftReview
Friday, Dec 4
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cascade Room, SMSU 236

Come learn about PSU's Climate Action Plan and give your input!Students, faculty, & staff are invited to participate in breakoutsessions on the first draft of the Climate Action Plan. The draft willbe released for public viewing Dec 1 via the EcoWiki and PSU Sustainability.

PSUBAC (Bicycle Advocacy Collective) Saturday coffeerides
Sat, Dec 5
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride Bikes! Socialize and Drink Coffee!

Join friends for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSUMillar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles andhang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.

If coffee isn't your cup of tea, try checking out PSU Cycling's longerrides: http://psucycling.com/events

Still stuffed,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

Week of Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T18:30:00.001-08:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Amidst the rain & cold & piles of homework,Environmental Club members gathered last week for some good times. Wehammered out plans for Water Awareness Week next term andthen gorged potluck-style while discussing food systems. Don't worry,there's one more meeting this term, and a bunch of other events oncampus, so push that homework aside and come join us next Thursday inthe GreenSpace!

Environmental Club events:
EnvironmentalClub's final meeting of Fall term
Thursday, Dec 3rd
4:30 - 6:00 pm
GreenSpace, SMSU 28

For our last meeting of the term, we will be doing something fun &amazing, but we can't tell you yet because it's a secret (even to us).After the meeting, those who are interested will stay to talk about theSeasonal Portland Cookbook (see next)!

Environmental Club's Seasonal PortlandCookbook
At our meeting last week, some folks had a bright idea - let's make acookbook geared towards local & organic foodstuffs in Portland!

At the next meeting on Dec 3rd, bring yer recipes! For those that areinterested, we'll sit down immediately after our next meeting and dosome delegatin' and some outlinin' and some all around good plannin'.If you can't make it but have some recipes burning a hole in yourbrain, email them to me!

Ban the Bag with Surfrider
At our last meeting, Mason talked about the Ban the Bag campaign.Here's more info:

Single-use plastic bags represent one of the greatest environmentalcatastrophes of our generation. It is estimated that 60-80% of alldebris in the ocean is plastic. Plastics take hundreds of years tobreak down at sea and most types never truly biodegrade. As a result,marine animals often get entangled in the debris or mistake it forfood. In Oregon (and the world!) the very first volunteer beach cleanupwas held in 1984 under the title "Plague of Plastics", callinghistorical attention to the rise of plastics in our oceans and on ourbeaches.

The Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation supports a 20 cent fee(or ban) on single-use plastic bags within the City of Portland. Manyother cities have taken similar action recently, including SanFrancisco and Oakland, which both recently passed ordinance bans onplastic bags.

What you can do:
Become a fan of Banthe Bag facebook page
Check out the Chapter Page for more info http://www.surfrider.org/portland/
Sign the online petition too http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/portlandriseaboveplastics

Want a re-usable bag or a t-shirt?
Mason will be bringing some re-usable bags and t-shirts to our nextmeeting on Dec 3rd. Bags are free, and t-shirts are $15. All proceedsgo toward the campaign. People can email Mason their sizes ifinterested: mason.brock@yahoo.com

Plugging in for Sustainability
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com.Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Environmental Club workshops will be startingin November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center at dnokovic@gmail.com
Stopping climatechange? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Stiles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!
Community service? Staytuned or contact Hanna Davis at ecpsu.cedar@gmail.com for SOLV events.
Local food?Contact PJ Houser at ecpsu.maple@gmail.comto help compile a seasonal, local, & sustainable Portland cookbook.
Bikes? Sign upfor the [bikes]email list and keep up-to-date on all bike-related events

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campusevents:
PSUBAC (Bicycle Advocacy Collective) Saturday coffeerides
Sat, Nov 28
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride Bikes! Socialize and Drink Coffee!

Join friends for the weekly Saturday coffee ride. Leaves from PSUMillar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles andhang out. Always good company and lots of fun. Rain or shine.

If coffee isn't your cup of tea, try checking out PSU Cycling's longerrides: http://psucycling.com/events

VolunteerOpportunities with the Sustainability Leadership Center
Research for Leadership Credit Syllabus
We have compiled a list of about 15 sustainability books for ourupcoming independent study class. I need a student to spend a fewhours looking these up online. We need to find the author names and areview/synopsis so people can easily choose the book they would like tochoose.

Fixing up posters from the EcoDistrict Breakfast
We recently had a civic engagement breakfast where groups receivedtable-sized maps of PSU. We then placed tracing paper over the maps. People received sticker icons and placed them on the maps to show wherethey thought various services should go on our campus in the future.There are about 10 of these maps, and the stickers need to be glued sothey last longer and can be displayed/used in the future. Some of thestickers are coming off.

If you would like to work on one of these project, let me know byDecember 4th, 2009. Work can be completed during working hours (8-5). Happy Thanksgiving!

Contact Heather Spalding, hspaldin@pdx.edu

PSU's Climate Action Plan DraftReview
Friday, Dec 4
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cascade Room, SMSU 236

Come learn about PSU's Climate Action Plan and give your input!Students, faculty, & staff are invited to participate in breakoutsessions on the first draft of the Climate Action Plan. The draft willbe released for public viewing Dec 1 via the EcoWiki and PSU Sustainability.

Community events:
FoodSystems in the Portland Plan
Portlandersare growing increasingly aware of their food system — that is, all thepaths that our food can travel from soil to soil (compost or landfill).This path includes everything from production and processing todistribution, consumption, and disposal, as well as the inputs andoutputs of each of the steps, including natural and human resources.

We have the opportunity to be more direct about the positive impact ourchoices and plans can have on our local food system, and to considerfurther impacts as we plan for the next several decades. The FoodSystems Existing Conditions Report is intended to contribute to publicconversation around food as a planning issue to allow fullerconsideration of policy choices and investment priorities.
Cover ofreport
Overview ofreport

New York Times video "ToxicWaters: Polluted Harbors"
Aging sewer systems and urban storm runoff are two of the worst sourcesof water pollution in the United States. In Newport, R.I., residentslive with regular beach closings and sewage overflows.
NYTimesvideo link

The Breathing Earthsimulation
Breathing Earth is a real-time simulation displaying the CO₂emissions of every country in the world, as well as their birth anddeath rates.
http://www.breathingearth.net/

Withlove and some cold fingers & toes,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

2009-11-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Our meetings are theplace to be! Next one is this week, Thursday, 4:30 pm in SMSU 294.We'll be eating food that YOU bring, so come on! There are also tons ofsustainability stuff going on campus-wide and community-wide. Read onfor bike love, Eco-Districts, and Green Day forums.

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club meeting: Food Awarenesspotluck-style!
Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
4:30 - 6 pm
SMSU 294

Bring: food, recipes, and food systems knowledge

This meeting's theme is food awareness. First, we'll spend some timeplanning Winter Term's Water Awareness Week. We need your input to makeit awesome. Last year, we had a movie night, some tabling selling KleanKanteens, a tap vs. bottled water comparison, and a Portland WaterBureau speaker. Then we'll jump into the food - maybe literally. Let'sshare some food (bring something to share) and our recipes while wediscuss sustainability in food systems.

Plugging in with the Environmental Club
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com.Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Workshops will be starting in November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center at dnokovic@gmail.com
Stopping climatechange? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Stiles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campusevents:
PSUBAC (Bicycle Advocacy Collective) Saturday coffeerides
Sat, Nov 21
11 am - 1 pm-ish
meet in front of Millar Library

Ride Bikes!† Socialize and Drink Coffee!

Join friends for the weekly Saturday coffee ride.† Leaves from PSUMillar Library at 11am, ride to two coffee shops within 5 miles andhang out.† Always good company and lots of fun.† Rain or shine.

If coffee isn't your cup of tea, try checking out PSU Cycling's longerrides: http://psucycling.com/events

Breakfast for Bikers
Wed, Nov 18
9am - 11am
Between SMSU and NH

Bring a mug and your helmet, and come enjoy free pastries, coffee, andfruit.†† Feel free to hang out and talk to other bike commuters or getresources on commuting by bike.†

This week we're also looking for volunteers to take a 1 hour shiftalong with Breakfast coordinator Peter Buco (just standing around,talking, and trying not to eat too many pastries).† Interested? Contactpeter.p.buco@gmail.com.

Nourishing a Local Foods System:A Dinner and Discussion
Thurs, Nov 19
6 pm - 8 pm
Loaves and Fishes Elm Court, 1032 SW Main St, Portland OR

This event will be a celebration of local agriculture and a place todiscuss the different ways that people are working on the followingfood issues: anti-hunger, social justice, sustainability, localeconomics, health, and nutrition.

Dinner is free, donations are accepted.

Please RSVP to David Osborn at 503-282-0555 ext 267

Transforming Turmoil into a NewEconomy:What's the Big Idea?
Tuesday, Nov 17
7:00 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Center Ballroom, 3rd floor
Portland State University
1825 SW Broadway

A lecture series sponsored bythe College of Urban & Public Affairs presents John Perkins.

John Perkins is on tour promoting his latest book, Hoodwinked!† AnEconomic Hit Man Reveals Why the Global Economy Imploded And How toRemake It.† Hoodwinked is a powerful polemic that shows not only how wearrived at this perilous point in our history ñ but what we must do toturn it around.† He believes we can create a healthy economy that willencourage businesses to act responsibly, not only in the interests oftheir shareholder and corporate partners, but in the interests of theiremployees, their customers, the environment, and society at large.

Communityevents:
EarthAdvantage Institute's Green Day Forum
Friday, Dec 4
8:00 am - 6:30 pm

Earth Advantage Instituteís Green Day Forum is an annual event thatbrings together professionals from the green building industry withregional leaders and experts in design, technology and government todiscuss the latest trends and policies in sustainable building. Thisfull-day event addresses a different theme each year, offering adiverse range of panels, speakers and viewpoints, as well as a keynote,luncheon, and late afternoon networking reception. The event takesplace at Earth Advantage Instituteís National Center in Portland.

http://www.greendayforum.org
503-968-7160
Earth Advantage National Center
16280 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road
Portland, Oregon 97224

Car-Free Social Hour
Thurs, Nov 19
5pm - 7pm
Floyd's Old Town, 118 NW Couch

http://shift2bikes.org/cal/#19-1151

This is a chance for everyone, whether carfree or not, bikey or not, ina transpo or land use related career or not, to meet up, network,socialize, drink coffee or frothy beverages, share bus and bike routes,talk about what they're involved in or what they want to be involvedin, and most importantly meet other people and build up this awesomecommunity we've got going on here.

It's a freeform event, but around 5:30 we'll have some friends of AaronTarfman get up and talk about what is being done to support Aaron andmost importantly about the possibilities his dis/re-appearance haveinspired some of us to start thinking seriously about -- including butnot limited to creating a carfree community support group, starting abike trailer library (Aaron's longtime dream), and tearing up streets.If anyone else wants to get up and talk about the carfree work theirdoing or their inspirations and ideas, this is a great opportunity forthat.

Share the Road:Bicyclist Rights Workshop
Wednesday,Nov 18
12:30 pm
NativeAmerican Student and Community Center, 710 SW Jackson Street, Portland,OR 97201
Free

Can a bicyclist get a ticket for speeding?† When is a bicycle allowedto act like a car?† When is a bicycle allowed to act like apedestrian?† Do you worry about getting a ticket as a bicyclist?† Doyou enjoy free lunch?

Judge Christopher Larsen, a bike commuter and traffic court judge willdiscuss bicycle commuter rights and safety tips on Wednesday November18th at 12:30pm in the NASCC.† The focus of the lecture will be on howto operate your bike safely and legally on our city streets.† Comelearn about your rights and find out more about the laws that pertainto bicyclists before you get a ticket.† A light lunch will be provided.

Portland's Sustainability andCommunity Building on the Ground: University Eco-District
Thursday, Nov 19
8:30 am - 10:30 am
SMSU 228 Multicultural Center
Free and open to the public

Part 2 of a 2-part series

Join PSU and community leaders and SERA Architects' Tim Smith as webegin to concretely envision and connect OUR talents andteaching/research interests to an emerging vision for Portland'sUniversity EcoDistrict. This gathering will feature an interactive,civic ecology "charette" activity to facilitate the emergence ofcommunity-scaled participation to help guide the University and itsEcoDistrict toward a sustainable future.

For more info on the project as a whole and for notes/presentationsfrom part 1 (Oct 29):
http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/ecodistricts

Light refreshments will be served
RSVP tocaestaff@pdx.edu or (503)725-5642
Sponsored by PSU's Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) and the Officeof finance and Administration (FADM)

Coffee & rain,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

2009-11-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Last week's meeting revealed some amazing Pictionaryskills, along with some insights into how we can make a tangible andpositive difference. Afterwards, I noticed a few silk screened shirtshanging about in the GreenSpace - now there's a positive difference.Clearly, our meetings are the place to be! Next one is in a week!

Environmental Club events:
Environmental Club meeting: Food Awarenesspotluck-style!
Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
4:30 - 6 pm
SMSU 294

Bring: food, recipes, and food systems knowledge

This meeting's theme is food awareness. First, we'll spend some timeplanning Winter Term's Water Awareness Week. We need your input to makeit awesome. Last year, we had a movie night, some tabling selling KleanKanteens, a tap vs. bottled water comparison, and a Portland WaterBureau speaker. Then we'll jump into the food - maybe literally. Let'sshare some food (bring something to share) and our recipes while wediscuss sustainability in food systems.

Gardening for Small Spaces part 1 - Mossing Pots Party
Thur, Nov 12
5:30 pm
GreenSpace, SMSU 28

Do you ever sit there at night, unable to fall asleep? Overwhelmed withthis feeling that something is missing from your life, something is outof place, or lacking? Well, it may be from a complete lack of groovyplants in your small space. Come check out the Environmental Club'sGardening for Small Spaces series this Thursday Nov. 12th in theGreenspace.

We will be mossing pots, so you'll need a few things:
-A terra cotta pot, about 6.5 inches or less. Can be found at FredMeyer or Portland Nursery for less than $2.
-yogurt as a growth medium
-tray for your pot to fit into for a couple of weeks while it sits andbecomes beautiful!

This will be the kick off event, and next time we will be plantingsmall air filtering plants for your small space in those pots. Consideryourself invited.

Please RSVP, but if you forget, show up anyways!

Plugging in with the Environmental Club
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com.Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Workshops will be starting in November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center at dnokovic@gmail.com
Stopping climatechange? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Stiles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campusevents:
PSUBAC (Bicycle Advocacy Collective) Saturday coffeerides
Sat, Nov 14, 21, 28, etc
11 am
meet in front of Millar Library

Fun coffee rides, relaxed pace, exploring the city around us, not toolong, rain or shine or puddles falling from the sky...

As said by coordinator Tim K.:

So, you know that scene from Star Wars where Han has to explain thelittle rough up in the detention block and no matter how polite orpassive he is the stormtrooper on the other end doesn't believe him andinstead asks him for explanations and his operating number? Yeah, Iknow, great scene. All he wants to do is save the princess, bringpeace to the universe, and entertain the crap out of the audience butnooooo, the empire instead requires mass amounts of pointlessinformation only to say "you can't do that!" Yeah...Thank you forlistening. In other news, WE BE RIDIN'...

Start the day off right andkickback with the BAC! Meet at 11 out front of the Millar and GO! I'llbethere, all your friends will be there, and everyone you've ever wantedto know will be there. SO BE THERE!

National Sustainability Education Week: Educating forCitizen-Leadership
Presented by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture &Learning and the US Partnership for Decade for Education forSustainable Development

November 9th through the 13th has been named National SustainabilityEducation Week (NSEW) - a week in which educators, schools, students,colleges and community members are asked to participate in learningopportunities focused around sustainability leadership.

PSU's Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture & Learning(SLECL), with its many partners, has planned a week's worth of eventsfocused around sustainability education and leadership.

Wednesday 11/11

Permaculture Field trip
Learning Gardens Laboratory (6801 SE 60th), 2-5pm, free
West African DanceClass
Ivy School (4212 NE Prescott), 6-7:30pm, suggested donation $10-15
West African Drum Class
Ivy School (4212 NE Prescott), 7:30-9pm, $15

Thursday 11/12

Exploring Leadership,Service & International Education
SMSU 294, 10-11:30am, free
Look Up and See GreenOpen House
URBN 4th Floor Terrace, 3:30-6:30pm, free
Wild & ScenicEnvironmental Film Festival
Bagdad Theater (SE 37th/Hawthorne), doors at 5:30, event at 7pm, , $8& 21+

Friday 11/13

Social Sustainabilityand Social Work Colloquium
UCB 485, 1-3pm, free
Community Celebration
Hot Lips (2211 Se Hawthorne), 4:30pm

Saturday 11/14

Awakening the Dreamer:Changing the Dream Symposium
Unity of Beaverton Church, (12650 SW 5th), 10- 2:30pm, suggesteddonation $10
Relationships Matter:Supporting Transitions from Prison to Community and Releasing the RealWealth of Portland
MACE Center (126 NE Alberta), 2-5pm, free

EventFlier
For the most up-to-date information, as rooms and times could change,and additional event details, please visit:
http://www.wiserearth.org/group/slecl

Look UP and SeeGreen's Open House
Thur, Nov 12
4 pm - 6 pm
4th floorof the Urban Center Building

Look UP and See Green is a student driven, collaborative initiative tolead the Portland Metropolitan Region in sustainability. Last year,this project created a sustainable, community gathering place on the4th floor of the Urban Center Building by bringing together studentgroups and local professionals to implement ideas of rainwatercollection strategies, utilization of our rooftops for growing food anda university wide discussion on sustainability initiatives. As thepotential of creating an Ecological District on campus gains momentumthe Urban Terrace presents a community gathering place and exhibitionspace for student led sustainability projects for all of PSU.

The Look UP and See Green team would like to invite the campuscommunity to the terrace for an open house where we will be compilingideas for the 2009-10 projects. Come join us for food and music andcontribute your visions of both PSU and the future of this space. Thecelebration will be between 4:00 and 6:00 so be sure to drop by!

FYI, rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

2009-11-03T20:10:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Hope everybody had a good Halloween! We have ameeting this Thursday at 4:30 pm in the GreenSpace and a volunteeractivity with SOLV this Saturday, Nov 7. Bring a shirt, sweatshirt,or tote bag - or your pillow case - to silkscreen this Thursday.

EnvironmentalClub events:
Environmental Club meeting - silkscreening!
Thursday, Nov5, 2009
4:30 - 6 pm
GreenSpace, Smith 28

Bring: a shirt/sweatshirt/tote bag to silkscreen

How do we make a difference and measure the change? At our meeting,we'll spend some time trying to answer this question. We'll alsoannounce upcoming events - like movie night this Friday and the SOLVcleanup this Saturday! Finally, we'll be doing some silkscreening withthe Environmental Club logo (bring some clothes!) and playing someecological Pictionary.

Movie night - Kilowatt-Ours
Friday, Nov 6, 2009
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Meet in the GreenSpace, SMSU 28, before moving to bigger room.Destination will be posted on the door for latecomers.

Come getinformed about energy-efficiency and find intelligent people!

Kilowatt Ours is a timely,solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmentalchallenges. Award-winning film Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-EnergizeAmerica is a timely, solutions-oriented look at one of America’smost pressing environmental challenges: energy.

Filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as he turns the camera on himself andasks, “How can I make a difference?” In his journey Barrie explores thesource of our electricity and the problems caused by energy productionincluding mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming.Along the way he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, andcommunities who are leading the way, using energy conservation,efficiency and renewable, green power all while saving money and theenvironment.

This often amusing and always inspiring story shows, “You can easilymake a difference and here’s how!”

Volunteer with Environmental Club and SOLV - Polishthe Pearl
Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Start at Urban Grind, 911 NW 14th Ave

Environmental Club is helping SOLV with one of their activities.Come join Lisa and I (PJ)! Sign up at our meeting this Thursday orRSVP to ecpsu@pdx.edu.

Meeting Location: Volunteers will meet at Urban Grind for somewake-upcoffee! Theleaders will be visibly at a table.
ProjectActivities: At Urban Grind, volunteers will form teams to cleanlitterfrom thestreets. Volunteers will be briefed on safety and techniques.Activities include litter pickup. Afterwards there will be a mealandraffle at Blitz Pearl.

Coordinator: Alison Wallisch
Contact Email: alison@nwnw.org
Contact Phone Number: 503-823-4265

Plugging in with the Environmental Club
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com.Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Workshops will be starting in November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center at dnokovic@gmail.com
Climatechange? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Stiles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Campusevents:
National Sustainability Education Week: Educating forCitizen-Leadership
Presented by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture &Learning and the US Partnership for Decade for Education forSustainable Development

November 9th through the 13th has been named National SustainabilityEducation Week (NSEW) - a week in which educators, schools, students,colleges and community members are asked to participate in learningopportunities focused around sustainability leadership.

PSU's Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture & Learning(SLECL), with its many partners, has planned a week's worth of eventsfocused around sustainability education and leadership.

Monday 11/9

NationalSustainability Education Week Kick-off: Leaders of the Next Generation
SMSU 228, 1:30-3:30pm, free
Purpose Party forNational Sustainability Education Week
Trebol (4835 N Albina), 5:30-8:30pm

Tuesday 11/10

Diversity & SocialSustainability Student Dialogue Forum
SMSU 294, 11-12:30pm, free, students only
Leading Change Workshop
SMSU 327, 1-3:30pm, suggested donation $5-20
InFARMation
Roots (1520 SE 7th), 5:30-8pm, 21+
ExploringInterconnectedness in a Complex World: Films from Global Oneness Project
SMSU 236, 7-9:30pm, free

Wednesday 11/11

Permaculture Field trip
Learning Gardens Laboratory (6801 SE 60th), 2-5pm, free
West African DanceClass
Ivy School (4212 NE Prescott), 6-7:30pm, suggested donation $10-15
West African Drum Class
Ivy School (4212 NE Prescott), 7:30-9pm, $15

Thursday 11/12

Exploring Leadership,Service & International Education
SMSU 294, 10-11:30am, free
Look Up and See GreenOpen House
URBN 4th Floor Terrace, 3:30-6:30pm, free
Wild & ScenicEnvironmental Film Festival
Bagdad Theater (SE 37th/Hawthorne), doors at 5:30, event at 7pm, , $8& 21+

Friday 11/13

Social Sustainabilityand Social Work Colloquium
UCB 485, 1-3pm, free
Community Celebration
Hot Lips (2211 Se Hawthorne), 4:30pm

Saturday 11/14

Awakening the Dreamer:Changing the Dream Symposium
Unity of Beaverton Church, (12650 SW 5th), 10- 2:30pm, suggesteddonation $10
Relationships Matter:Supporting Transitions from Prison to Community and Releasing the RealWealth of Portland
MACE Center (126 NE Alberta), 2-5pm, free

EventFlier
For the most up-to-date information, as rooms and times could change,and additional event details, please visit:
http://www.wiserearth.org/group/slecl

Garbage To Gold: Talk on Zero WasteManagement & Sustainable Living
Thursday, Nov 5, 2009
4 - 5:30 pm (overlaps Environmental Club meeting)
Parson's Gallery - Urban Building, 2nd Floor

Association for India's Development (AID) Portland Chapter presents:
Garbage To Gold - Talk on Zero Waste Management & SustainableLiving by India's Leading Environmental activist C. Srinivasan fromVellore, Tamil Nadu.

How do you recycle 100% of rural & urban garbage sustainably whilegenerating employment & revenue? Come and listen to C. Srinivasan(President & Founder of Exnora Green Cross). He will discuss howthe three most easily available resources - sunlight, human power &waste - can bring millions of dollars in direct & indirectrevenue to us. Srinivasan's Waste Management model has been recognizedas "2008 best practices in waste management" by UNICEF.

More information on his work can be found at http://www.zerowastemanagement.org.

For more information contact:
Kartik Gopal, kartik.gopal@intel.com, 612 386 2974
or
PSU Recycle, recycles@pdx.edu, 503 725 4300

Visit AID to learn more about us at http://www.aidindia.org

Communityevents:
Water for Life: Congressman Earl Blumenauer Lecture
Monday, November 9, 2009
12:00–1:30 PM
MultnomahAthletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR 97205

Today, one-fifth of theworld’s population lacks reliable sources of clean water andsanitation. In some cases the available water is polluted; in manyothers there is simply too little of it. This crisis is hard for thoseof us in the water-rich Pacific Northwest to grasp. But imagine if youhad to walk for two hours to a well and back, carrying a heavy bucket,just to have water for drinking and cooking.

Are there reasons other than the obvious humanitarian ones forOregonians to care about the availability of clean water for familiestens of thousands of miles away? Is there any relationship between ourprofligate use of water resources and others’ need for water? Is this aproblem that can be solved with foreign aid alone?

Congressman Blumenauer has long championed the cause of water for all.He sponsored the “Water for the Poor Act” which became law in 2005,introduced the Water for the World Act earlier this year and wassuccessful in bringing an extra $25 million in federal funding toprovide the world’s poorest people with access to clean water andsanitation.

A lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, Congressman Earl Blumenauerhas devoted his entire career to public service. After serving in theOregon Legislature, on the Multnomah County Commission, and on PortlandCity Council, he was elected to Congress in 1996. He served on both theInternational Relations Committee and the Transportation andInfrastructure Committees, until joining the exclusive Ways and MeansCommittee and the Budget Committee in 2007. He holds an undergraduatedegree and a law degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland.

Register at www.worldoregon.orgor call us at 503.274.7488

$30 for members, $35 for non members, $5 to audit

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets will not be mailed for this event. PRE-PAIDREGISTRATION REQUIRED. Price includes program and lunch
If you are not currently a World Affairs Council of Oregon Member, youmay sign-up now by visiting our membership page.

The MundusNow! Bene-Fest ¡Si, Importa!For Environmental Justice in South America Today
MundusNow! needs creativeand passionate assistance from those curious or already deeplyconcerned about Environmental Justice in South America Today, to ensurethat the, ¡Si, Importa! Festival is a success this May.

We are a young non-profit called MundusNow!, seeking collaborativeassistance with the organization of an informative, four night long,multi-media festival called, The MundusNow! Bene-Fest ¡Si, Importa!For Environmental Justice in South America Today. All issuesshared through documentary film screenings, guest speakers’presentations, and inter-active discussions, invite direct involvementfrom the community to investigate current socio-political movementsaffecting the health and livelihoods of the environment and peopleacross the diverse regions composing South America. We hope to promoteawareness, inspire active support and participation regarding momentoustransformations and solutions in South America today.

MundusNow! works as agents for positive and sustainable social changethrough the collaborative commitment with all kinds of grass roots,governmental, non-governmental and international organizations. We arededicated to communicating their concerns, allocating knowledgeableassistance, and joining diverse efforts working to achieve commonsolutions for healthy social and ecological environments in SouthAmerica.

For those ready tobe apart of the Festival, send us an e-mail at: contact@mundusnow.org, byFriday (we will be meeting next week.)

Are we there yet?

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

2009-10-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Last week's trivia meeting was a success -team Lucy won... a bunch of Luna bars! We also discusseddifferent ways members can plug in. Environmental Club has anothermeeting next week on Thursday at 4:30 pm in the GreenSpace and a volunteeractivity with SOLV the following Saturday, Nov 7. We alsointroduced our first biweekly Action - unplug your cellphonecharger (and other appliances not in use). See below for more infoon all these!

Environmental Club events:
Plugging in with the Environmental Club
Interested in...

Take Back the Tap? ContactLisa Meersman at ecpsu.redwood@gmail.com ORjust come to our nextmeeting!
Recycling andcomposting on campus? Contact Honore Depew at honoredepew@gmail.com. Thereare plenty of opportunities to make surecomposting and recycling are fully utilized at events and throughoutcampus.
Gardening activities,indoors and outdoors? Workshops will be starting in November.
Energy efficiency?Contact David Nokovic in Sustainability Leadership Center atdnokovic@gmail.com
Climatechange? Attending Powershiftin Eugene? Contact Jesse Boudart in Cascade Climate Network at boudartj@pdx.eduOR contact Jenny Bedell-Styles at Sierra StudentCoalition at jenny@ssc.org
Environmental law? Staytuned for future workshops in collaboration with the Pre-Law Society!

Also, PSU'sSustainability Leadership Center has started a generalvolunteer sign-up for all campus-related sustainability events andissues - check it out, fill it out, get involved!

Next Environmental Club meeting
Thursday, Nov5, 2009
4:30 pm - 6 pm
GreenSpace, Smith 28

Activities to be announced!

Volunteer with Env Club and SOLV - Polishthe Pearl
Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Start at Urban Grind, 911 NW 14th Ave

Environmental Club is helping out SOLV with one of their activities.Come join us! Should be fun. Please RSVP to ecpsu@pdx.edu.

Meeting Location: Volunteers will meet at Urban Grind for some wake-upcoffee! Theleaders will be visibly at a table.

ProjectActivities: At Urban Grind, volunteers will form teams to clean litterfrom thestreets. Volunteers will be briefed on safety and techniques.Activities include: Litter Pickup. Afterwards there will be a mealandraffle at Blitz Pearl.

Coordinator: Alison Wallisch
Contact Email: alison@nwnw.org
Contact Phone Number: 503-823-4265 x †††

Safety Issues: Traffic, Hazardous Materials/Needles, Homeless Camp Site.

Action #1: stopphantom energy - unplug your appliances when not in use
Ever heard of phantom energy?

Treehuggerexplains:
Many of the electronic devices in your home stay on, even whenthey're "off." Chargersfor cell phones, digital cameras, power tools and other gadgets drawenergy even when they're not in use. Appliances like televisions,computer monitors and DVD players can also draw power whenever they'replugged into an outlet. All together, "phantom energy" use accountfor about 5 percent of an individual's home's electricity use.

You can take some simple steps to reduce the financial andenvironmental impact from these "vampire" appliances. Unpluggingdevices is the simplest way to solve the problem, but can be a hassle.Plugging a couple of your devices into a surge protector that can beclicked on and off can make things easier.

Environmental Club, in conjunction with the GreenSpace, is starting abiweekly action for individuals to do in their own lives. Hope you takepart and learn some new sustainable habits!

GreenSpace mentioned in the DailyVanguard
Today's Daily Vanguard mentioned the GreenSpace - the EnvironmentalClub's new shared office space! Here's an excerpt:

GreenSpace is a sustainability hub working to build a strongcommunity of students interested and involved in sustainability oncampus. It is part of an ongoing effort by Portland State students toimprove sustainability initiatives.

Opened at the end of May, GreenSpace is an office forsustainability-related student groups such as the Environmental Club,Permaculture Guild, PSU Bicycle Advocacy Collective and Students forLeadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning (SLECL).

GreenSpace is located in the basement of Smith Memorial Student Unionbuilding, next to Food for Thought CafÈ. Their office hours are between10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

It is a shared community space that is open to any student working onsustainability.

See the full article at - http://www.dailyvanguard.com/gathering-to-get-green-1.2038823

Campusevents:
Set thestudent agenda for Oregon Student Association
The Oregon Student Association (OSA) is a statewide organizationrepresenting over 100,000 students at universities and communitycolleges. Through organizing and advocacy the OSA works to expandaccess to affordable, quality post-secondary education for allOregonians. The OSA is governed by three boards: the Board of Directors(BOD), the Oregon Students of Color Coalition (OSCC) and the OregonStudent Equal Rights Alliance (OSERA).

Each board has developed a short survey to help determine which issuesto fight for during the next two years. You can help set the agenda ofthe student movement in Oregon by filling out at least one of thefollowing surveys. Your answers will remain confidential.

http://www.orstudents.org/osa/survey

Signup for the EcoWiki Bulletin
The EcoWiki Bulletin is publishedelectronically twice each month bythe Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Office.† In each issue, youwill be provided with the most-up-to-date information pertaining to thePSU community.† Each bulletin will include news, upcoming events, andopportunities for students, staff and faculty to become sustainabilityleaders.

http://ecowiki.pdx.edu/sign-up-for-the-bi-monthly-ecowiki-bulletin.html

Communityevents:
City's Climate Action Plan
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
2:00 pm
City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave.
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

The City and County willbe adopting the updated "Climate Action Plan" next week.† PSU students,faculty and other interested folks are invited to wear green and packthe Council chambers in support. Theplan that is proposedfor adoption, along with the City Council hearing info is at thislink:† www.portlandonline.com/bps/climate

I (PJ) will be going down there - let me know if you want to joinme! We can walk down together.

Junk to Funk Recycled FashionShow Contest
Saturday, November14, 2009
Doors will open at 7:00, show starts at 8:00
Crystal Ballroom
$17 for advancepurchase, $20 at the door, or $40 for VIP preferred seating (preferredseating 21 and older only)

"Trashion Edutainment for the Masses"

(Portland, Oregon) ñ Portlandís favorite trashion show continues!†November 14th will mark the fourth annual Junk to Funk Recycled FashionShow Contest, once again hosted by Mayor Sam Adams, joined by TheMercuryís Fashion Editor Marjorie Skinner.† The show will feature 25pieces of newly constructed wearable art and couture fashion creativelytransformed from ìtrashî.† After selling out of the Wonder Ballroom in2008, we are excited to announce that this yearís Junk to Funk RecycledFashion Show Contest will be held on November 14th at the CrystalBallroom and for the first time will be an all ages event.†

Contestants will compete for prizes up to $500 and will be judged bypanel of local note worthies rightfully dubbed the ìJunk Juryîcomprised of local designer Adam Arnold and representatives from Scrap,The Regional Arts and Culture Council, Portland Fashion Week and theOregon Association of Recyclers.† Winners will be determined based onthe percent of recycled material used, design innovation, out of thebox use of materials, quality of craftsmanship and wow factor inpresentation.†

Portlandís Mayor Sam Adams and The Mercuryís Marjorie Skinner will hostthe event. Additionally the event will feature a premier performance byPortlandís junk orchestra ìJunkquestraî, a ìGreen Carpetî interviewswith Sustainable Today Television, craft vendors selling their recycledaccessories, a DIY junk accessory table provided by SCRAP and asalways, audience junky costumes are encouraged!

Doors will open at 7:00, show starts at 8:00; attendees are encouragedto come early to enjoy additional activities.† Tickets are availablethrough the Crystal Ballroom, Scrap (general admission only) and allTicket Master locations and are $17 for advance purchase, $20 at thedoor, or $40 for VIP preferred seating (preferred seating 21 and olderonly).†

Junk to Funk
www.junktofunk.org
503-789-2018
P.O. Box 15163††
Portland, OR† 97293

Crunch those soggy leaves,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

2009-10-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Our first meeting of the year went well - we came upwith ideas for the year, gardened, and drank apple cider. Our nextmeeting will be Thursday, October 22 at 4:30. See below for otherupcoming events.

Food and Water Watch Day
Wednesday,October 14th all day
Portland State University
Parkway North

Stop by and visit the Environmental Club table, buy a Klean Kanteen,sign a petition against Nestle building a bottling plant in theColumbia Gorge, and learn about Take Back the Tap.

Sierra Club Presents the PopulationJustice Environment Book Tour
Thursday,October 15th 7:00 pm
Portland State University
Smith Memorial Student Union Room 296

A Pivotal Moment: Population, Justice and the Environmental Challenge

Sponsored by the Sierra Club Global Population and Environment Program
Co-sponsored by the Columbia Group Sierra Club Third Thursday Program

The Sierra Club is proud to sponsor the Population Justice EnvironmentBook tour featuring a new book, A Pivotal Moment: Population, Justiceand the Environmental Challenge, edited by Laurie Mazur, and publishedby Island Press.

As part of the Sierra Club’s Population Justice Environmental ChallengeCampaign, the tour aims to generate awareness and mobilize action forrenewed U.S. global leadership on human rights, community health,gender equality and environmental protection.

Author Laurie Mazur will be joined by international youth environmentalactivist Karina de la Torre Garcia from Quintana Roo, Mexico, andSierra Club Global Population and Environment Program staff memberCassie Gardner for a panel discussion of the intersection between humanrights, reproductive health and rights, gender equity, and theenvironment.

Contact: Ramona Rex at ramona.rex@oregon.sierraclub.orgfor moreinformation.

Action Art Fest
October 24, 2009 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Hawthorne Theatre
1507 SE 39th Ave

Websitefor Action Art Fest

The international climate negotiations are coming up in less than twomonths and a recent report by the United Nations predicts our planetwill warm by 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century even ifthe world's leaders fulfill their current climate pledges. We need toconvey the urgency and seriousness of the looming climate crisis anddemand a bold and science-based approach to the threat of a globalclimate disaster. Participants will create artworks on the theme ofclimate change (impacts, solutions, causes and activism).

At this event we will show that Oregonians don't desire empty promisesand lofty rhetoric to safeguard our future. To that end, we will gathertogether to create works of art, crafts and creative expression of allshapes and sizes, at all skill levels, to force our decision makers tounderstand the urgency of the climate crisis. After the event, we willbe sending a few selected pieces to our decision-makers asking them tofight on behalf of the public they are sworn to represent. Some of theart made during this event will also be showcased throughout the cityin the month following the event and some pieces might be featured inthe media. We will also invite the Oregon delegation to attend theevent. At the event we will have booklets with a page for each dayleading up to the international climate negotiations. Each page willhave an image of a climate impact and a daily activity to take (such aswrite a letter, come to an event, make a phone call, write a LTE etc).

Earth Days
Friday, October 16th
Living Room Theaters

Earth Days explores thehistory of the modern environmentalmovement in the U.S., from the perspective of its earliest pioneers andactivists. It is a great tool for education and advocacy, and we haveworked with environmental non-profit groups, academic departments andGreen Drinks and Slow Food chapters around the country to get the wordout to engaged audiences.

You can watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsdKxew6FM8

Good-bye sunshine,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

P.S. If you don't want to receive these emails, please reply with"remove me from the list" in the subject line.

First meeting of the year

2009-10-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Thursday at 4:30 is the first meeting of the year!Spend some time in the garden with us, and come with your ideas for a more sustainable campus and city. Let's talk about them over donuts and apple cider.

Our first meeting of the year - Native Garden Meet & Greet
Thursday, October 8, 2009
4:30p - 6:00p
GreenSpace - Smith rm 28 (in the basement next to Food for Thought)

Join us for our first meeting of the year! We will be meeting in our new shared office - the GreenSpace in Smith's basement, room 28. Hopefully, we'll all fit! From there, we will head over to the Native Gardens for a quick 15 minute weeding. Don't worry - we won't make you get dirty in the garden. We'll also spend time listening to your ideas for the Environmental Club - what we should do this year, what we should work on, or what events we should have. And finally, we have Voodoo donuts and apple cider for our first Fall meeting! We hope to see you there.

Training on Renewable Energy for the Developing World - FREE for 2 Env. Club members
2.5 days -- October 23--25, 2009
Partners: In coordination with the Portland chapter of Engineers Without Borders and the PSU Environmental Club
Cost: $250 (FREE for 2 Environmental Club members who volunteer for at least an hour at any of our events or new office, the GreenSpace. Email me for more info!)
Location: at Portland State University -- TBA
Contact: Jason at (503) 284-5774 -or- jason@greenempowerment.org

Come join us! This workshop covers the skills necessary to design and wire a solar system on a community building, health center, or school --and-- the skills needed to size a water pumping system to deliver clean water to a village of rural farmers. In addition, the course includes information not usually discussed in other programs -- working with partner NGOs overseas, engaging in social and cultural issues, identifying and training local villagers to operate and maintain systems, completing the logistics of equipment purchase, identifying possible productive uses of the system in addition to lighting, and discussing case studies from GE's wealth of experiences over the last 12 years. Hands-on exercises are an integral part of the curriculum. Please check out a blog overview of last October's course:
h ttp://greenempowerment.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/anatomy-of-a-technical-training/

Zoe Weil talks about her book Most Good, Least Harm
Friday, October 9th, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Portland State University
School of Business Administration Building, Room 170
Co-sponsored by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture, Learning (SLECL) and the Social Sustainability Network.

Please join SLECL (Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture, and Learning) and the Social Sustainability Network for a free talk by Zoe Weil, author of Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life.

MORE INFO:
info@HumaneEducation.org
(207) 667-1025
http://www.humaneeducation.org/
http://zoeweil.com/

Sustainability Classes at PSU
Students can now see all sustainability classes offered at PSU. Here's a link to the page. Feel free to spread the word.
http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/class-projects/fall-2009.html

Is it really Fall?

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our updated website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

P.S. If you don't want to receive these emails, please reply with "remove me from the list" in the subject line.

First week of Fall term

2009-09-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members& supporters,

Summer has officially ended, and we are back in the classroom, forbetter or worse.

The beginning of Fall term brings with it a bunch of cool events, fromthe Bike Fair in the Smith Ballroom tomorrow to Party inthe Park on Thursday to Econvergence this weekend with NoamChomsky. Keep reading to find out about upcoming events,volunteer opportunities, renewable energy trainings,pay-by-mile auto insurance, and where to find a list of PSU'ssustainability classes.

Volunteer Opportunities

Bike Fair -volunteers at tables/booths
Wednesday,September 30th 10:00am-4:00pm
3rd Floor Ballroom, SmithMemorial Student Union

Free coffee stand (2 pershift_4 total)
Photo booth (mostlycrowd control/general help, 1 per shift_2 total)
Registration table(includes handing out raffle tickets to each attendee, answeringquestions, and more - 2 per shift_4 total)
Bike Art Table(overseeing the creative process/making sure the materials don't gettoo out of control. (i.e.. Nothing spilled on the floor) 2 per shift_4total)

Shifts will be 10 am to 1 pmand 1 pm to 4 pm.
http://gettoknowyourbike.com

Partyin the Park - composting monitors
Thursday,October 1, 11 am - 3 pm
South Park Blocks

3,000-5,000students are expected to attend this enormous resource fair and, forthe first time, SALP is partnering with PSU Recycles! to make it aslow-waste as possible. Compost stations will be set up alongside ofgarbage and recycling to divert as much food waste away from thelandfill as possible (as well as the compostable cups and plates).

Volunteers are desperately needed to ensure this process runs smoothlyby monitoring the stations. Training and gloves will be provided, butno contact with food or waste is expected of volunteers.

The two Thursday shifts are:

10:45a - 1:00p
12:45p - 3:00p

Please respond to Honoré Depew (honoredepew@gmail.com).

Econvergence - ushers, registration
Interested in seeing Noam Chomsky for free this weekend? Do you want tomeet great people and attend incredible workshops that address thecurrent economic and ecological crises? Volunteer for Econvergence! Allvolunteers that want to be put on the "will call" list to see NoamChomsky on Friday night are required to work for at least four hours onSunday.

The duties are simple and fun, and may include:

registering attendeesand/or guest speakers,
navigating people aroundSmith Center,
being an usher for aworkshop or discussion session.

If this sounds like somethingyou are interested in, email Christine Kendrick(kendrick.christine@gmail.com).

PSU Bike Fair
Wednesday,September 30th 10:00am-4:00pm
3rd Floor Ballroom, SmithMemorial Student Union

Remember wheeling your way on a tricked-out tricycle through theneighborhood? Whatever your status, this is Portland. Portland loves tobike. In New York, you gaze out on a sea of cabs. Here it’s a dailyparade of bicycles rolling along, rain or shine.

And so, in celebration of biking culture and community, Portland StateUniversity invites you to join us for the GET TO KNOW YOUR BIKE eventon September 30th! http://gettoknowyourbike.com

What to expect?
    * Vendors from all over the city selling bike gear and accessories
    * Locally based organizations dedicated to bicycle advocacy
    * PSU student groups to provide information about biking resourcesavailable on campus
    * Bike Art Station
    * Maintenance and Repair Demonstrations
    * Costume Photo Booth
    * Car Piñata
    * Roller Races
    * Free Coffee
    * And more…

Good people. Good cause. Good stuff.

Party in the Park
Thursday,October 1, 11 am - 3 pm
South Park Blocks

Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) is hosting a fair forcampus-wide student groups! Come browse all the student groups oncampus and see what interests you!

Econvergence with Noam Chomsky and Derrick Jensen
Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. pre-conference gathering
Friday,Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4
First Unitarian Church andPortland State University Smith Memorial Student Union

Over 50 Northwest labor, environmental and social justice organizationsand hundreds of community organizers will gather to explore ways torespond to the current global economic and environmental crises at theupcoming Econvergence Conference (www.econvergence.org).A pre-conference gathering happens on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. withscheduled conference events from Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4.Admission to the three-day conference is FREE, and events will be heldat First Unitarian Church Portland and Portland State University. Visitwww.econvergence.org forfurther information about the conference program, speakers, andparticipating organizations.

ZoeWeil talks about her book Most Good, Least Harm
Friday,October 9th, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Portland State University
School of Business Administration Building, Room 170
Co-sponsored by Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture, Learning(SLECL) and the Social Sustainability Network.

Please join SLECL (Studentsfor Leadership in Ecology, Culture, and Learning) and the SocialSustainability Network for a free talk by Zoe Weil, author of MostGood, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and MeaningfulLife.

Every day we are bombarded by doomsday scenarios, advertising thatpromotes endless consumption, a declining American economy, and growingenvironmental problems. But when we do the most good and the least harmin our daily choices, acts of citizenship, community, work, andvolunteering, we create a life of inner peace while contributing to thebuilding of a peaceful, sustainable world for all.

“Zoe’s talk was the most inspirational experience I’ve had in years. Ifind myself reevaluating my life. Her talk has kindled a fire in me fora proactive life. ~ Martha Ohrenberger, Penobscot, Maine

These events are free of charge, and organized in partnership with TheNorthwest Earth Institute (NWEI). NWEI will offer sustainabilityresources at these events.

If you can't make it at 11:30, Zoe will also be speaking later thatafternoon at the University of Portland:
Friday, October 9th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the University of Portland
Shiley Hall, Room 319, School of Engineering
5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203
Co-sponsored by the Moreau Center and Environmental Science Department.

MORE INFO:
info@HumaneEducation.org
(207) 667-1025
http://www.humaneeducation.org/
http://zoeweil.com/

Training on Renewable Energy for the Developing World- FREE for 2 Env. Club members
2.5 days -- October 23--25, 2009
Partners: In coordination with the Portland chapter of EngineersWithout Borders and the PSU Environmental Club
Cost: $250 (FREE for 2 Environmental Club members who volunteer for atleast an hour at any of our events or new office, the GreenSpace. Emailme for more info!)
Location: at Portland State University -- TBA
Contact: Jason at (503) 284-5774 -or- jason@greenempowerment.org

Come join us! This workshop covers the skills necessary to design andwire a solar system on a community building, health center, or school--and-- the skills needed to size a water pumping system to deliverclean water to a village of rural farmers. In addition, the courseincludes information not usually discussed in other programs -- workingwith partner NGOs overseas, engaging in social and cultural issues,identifying and training local villagers to operate and maintainsystems, completing the logistics of equipment purchase, identifyingpossible productive uses of the system in addition to lighting, anddiscussing case studies from GE's wealth of experiences over the last12 years. Hands-on exercises are an integral part of the curriculum. Please check out a blog overview of last October's course:
http://greenempowerment.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/anatomy-of-a-technical-training/

Pay-by-mile auto insurance survey
In particular, the objective of thesurvey is to gain insight into consumer appetite for a pay-by-milepolicy option. This type of policy would reward the consumer fordriving less….but it also saves $$ for 70% of the populationwithout any behavior changes at all (individual savings will range from1-50% in dollar amount – the equivalent of $8-$400/yr for the typicalOregonian driver).

The survey is anonymous, but people can opt to input their emailaddress. And if they choose this option, they are eligible to win a $20iTunes gift card.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDhrc2ljbzZVcU81d1FXSU1jU0N1MXc6MA

Sustainability Classes at PSU
Students can now see allsustainability classes offered at PSU. Here's a link to the page. Feel free to spread the word.
http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/class-projects/fall-2009.html

Welcome back to the madness,

PJ Houser
Portland State University
Environmental Club coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office Assistant

Check out our website at http://eclub.groups.pdx.edu

Also, check out the EcoWiki at http://www.ecowiki.pdx.edu/

P.S. If you don't want to receive these emails, please reply with"remove me from the list" in the subject line.

Sustainability positions and Ecowiki updates

2009-08-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

September is creeping up on us, and Fall term is getting closer. Soon, the Environmental Club will be back in full swing, and in spite of the recession, there are related job opportunities this next year. Get on it and apply!

PSU's new Sustainability Leadership Center is hiring 5 student positions
Due: August 28, 2009

Portland State University's new Sustainability Leadership Center is hiring five students for the 2008-09 school year. Our Center focuses on enhancing student engagement in sustainability at PSU.

See the job description links below for more information and application instructions. Please apply for the one position that best fits your qualifications and interests.

Student Leadership Liaison for Ecological Sustainability

Assistant to Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Coordinator

EcoWiki System Administrator and Communications Liaison

Student Leadership Liaison for Social Sustainability

Student Leadership Liaison for Economics of Sustainability

Minimum qualifications for applicants

* Expects to maintain good academic standing and complete at least 6 PSU credit hours per term during the 2009-10 school year.
* 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA
* Sophomore class standing or above

Questions about the program and positions are encouraged. If you would like more information, please inquire by emailing Heather Spalding by email (hspaldin@pdx.edu). Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2009.

Sign up for the EcoWiki Bulletin
The EcoWiki Bulletin is published electronically twice each month by the Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Office. In each issue, you will be provided with the most-up-to-date information pertaining to the PSU community. Each bulletin will include news, upcoming events, and opportunities for students, staff and faculty to become sustainability leaders.

To sign up, simply create an account for the EcoWiki. You will automatically begin receiving the newsletter at the email provided. We will never give out your email address to other parties. If you no longer wish to received the Bulletin, opt out at the bottom of any issue.

One month left - enjoy it.

July Newsletter

2009-07-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Hope everybody's finals went well, and that summer is in full swing for y'all.

The last meeting went well, coordinators for next year are elected and the Environmental Club logo is silk screened on several of our tank tops, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. This next year's coordinators are Lisa Meersman, Hanna Davis, and myself, PJ Houser. Our new position of Native Garden coordinator is filled by David Nokovic.

Summer is a slow time for the Environmental Club - there are a few activities, like the Native Garden Work Party (free pizza!) next week - but mostly, we'll be taking it easy until Fall term.

Native Garden Work Party with Hotlips pizza provided
Thursday, July 23, 2009
10 am - 2 pm
Free pizza, but bring your own drinks - and it could get hot!

Spring and summer have brought an abundance of life to the Native Garden, and now it's in danger of being overtaken by weeds. Come trim overgrown trees and pull insolent weeds with us next Thursday in exchange for free pizza. If 10 am is too early for you, come a little later. We'll be working until 2 pm or it gets too hot to continue. Wear clothes appropriate for the weather (and sunblock if it's sunny) and the activity - clothes you don't mind getting a little dirt on.

Sign up for the EcoWiki bulletin
The newly created EcoWiki Bulletin will be published electronically twice each month by the Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Office. In each issue, you will be provided with the most-up-to-date information pertaining to the PSU community. Each bulletin will include news, upcoming events, and opportunities for students, staff and faculty to become sustainability leaders.
To sign up, simply create an account for the EcoWiki. You will automatically begin receiving the newsletter at the email provided. We will never give out your email address to other parties. If you no longer wish to received the Bulletin, opt out at the bottom of any issue.
http://ecowiki.pdx.edu/sign-up-for-the-bi-monthly-ecowiki-bulletin.html

Sustainability Volunteers Needed!!
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
11:30 am - 2 pm
What: PSU Recycles! Volunteers have an opportunity to show 1,000 new & transfer students, how we work towards a sustainable PSU!

Who: Volunteers are needed to monitor composting efforts during the next two Saturdays’ Orientation Luncheon

Where: Volunteers will meet with (2) PSU Recycles! Staffers at the University Services Building Loading Dock (SW 6th St & Harrison) for instruction. The luncheon is held in the SMSU Ballroom from 12:15-1:30pm.

Why: Because you believe composting helps reduce greenhouse gases and you want to show new students what we’re doing here at PSU!

Call Christel Eichner, Resource Mgmt Coordinator, 503-725-4300

Thank you for supporting sustainability at PSU!

Summer time, what else is there to say

Week of Final Meeting

2009-06-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

Final meeting is coming up tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2 in Smith 236 at 5:00 pm. Our final meeting should be pretty fun. First half will be coordinator elections, second half will be silk screening & donuts. Bring your own tank tops, shirts, or sweatshirts you want to silk screen - we will only be providing the silk screening kit, design, & ink. The design will be the Environmental Club leaf logo. Please stop by!

Apologies if any of you tried to show up to gardening this last Wednesday and found no one. One of the garden leaders was sick, which threw a wrench in the plans. We're going to try it again once summer starts, but this time, we'll have an RSVP list so I can call in case of event cancellation.

Coordinator applications
Tuesday, June 2, 5:00 pm
Smith 236

We are electing 3 coordinators and one assistant coordinator. Of our current coordinators, Becca Aaby is graduating, but Lisa Meersman and PJ Houser are continuing at PSU next year and are re-applying for coordinator positions. Three members have also applied for the coordinator positions and the new position, assistant coordinator.

The following candidates and their statements:

Lisa Meersman - current coordinator, applying for coordinator
My name is Lisa, and I am just finishing my freshman year here at PSU.

I am motivated by positive interactions.

I first came across Environmental Club last July when I circled around the ballroom in Smith Center, collecting information from various clubs that were representing themselves to all the incoming freshman at orientation. When I approached the Environmental Club booth, I specifically remember the kindness and enthusiasm that Becca and Heather welcomed me with, and while joining environmental club was already in my plans, my interaction with the two of them made me even more excited about attending PSU and getting involved in the club.

The welcoming first impressions of the Environmental Club that I experienced last summer have remained true throughout my first year at PSU. I appreciate the friendliness and openness that I have come across with each member that I have met. It is inspiring to collaborate with people that are all passionate and dedicated to promoting positive environmental change in our community.

Ever since I took on the role as one of the coordinators of the Environmental Club in January of this year, my hope has been to carry out and strengthen the positive community that the existing coordinators have already put in place. I believe that through a strong core community of environmentalists and an optimistic approach toward every project, person, or group that we encounter, we will be able to accomplish any goal that we set for ourselves.

Since becoming a coordinator, I have gained an invaluable amount of experience as far as organizing and coordinating events. I have worked on the Take Back the Tap campaign with three amazing individuals, where we have worked to reduce plastic water bottle consumption by bringing education and awareness to the PSU community, as well as offering alternatives to drinking bottled water. I also helped organize and put together the Earth Day Fair we had in April.

PSU is currently the largest institution in Oregon, meaning that our actions have a significant impact on the community. With this power in numbers, we have the potential to be leading role models in making positive action toward environmental change. From reducing plastic water bottle consumption to growing gardens and eating locally, we have the potential to inspire Portland State, as well as the rest of Oregon. While PSU is known to be one of the most environmentally-conscious schools in the nation, it still has a long way to go. Let's be that hope, that inspiration, and that push to make Portland State a role model for sustainability. I am excited to work with the Environmental Club and bring environmental awareness to our peers and our community.

Thank you to all of you!

PJ Houser - current coordinator, applying for coordinator
I've been with the Environmental Club since January of last year, when Heather Spalding, Becca Aaby, Elsbeth Seymour, and myself resurrected the club. The club was in danger of losing its budget and status as an established student group. Those first several months were rough - none of us had any organizing experience, and we were not quite sure where to go with the club.

Over the summer, Heather and I and several other PSU students attended a weeklong training on leadership and organizing for environmental activism. That week at SPROG was exactly what we needed, and Heather and I returned to the club eager to share our new knowledge with Becca and the members. The success of this year has been a result of that knowledge combined with passion and hard work from Heather, Becca, Lisa, and myself. The club has worked on actual campaigns - Take Back the Tap, which has been more successful than I could have ever imagined, and the Learning Gardens. The core membership (the members who regularly attend events and/or meetings) has grown from last year's 7 to this year's 15 - 20. We threw some rocking events, like Blood, Guts, & (Al) Gore and the Second Annual Earth Day Fair. Even the president of PSU is aware of the Environmental Club's work.

As a coordinator, I've learned quite a bit this year, and I want to make next year even more successful. Along with the great ideas members have suggested, I have several more ideas, and I can't wait to try them all out next year. I want to make sure this club will never disappear again like it almost did last year. The best way to do that is to establish a name with a good reputation and get members involved so that one day, some of them will eventually lead the club and inspire more members.

There are lots of students out there who want to do something, make a difference, and they don't know where to go. The reason I want to be a coordinator is to give those students and our current members a chance to DO something, to feel that there is hope for the future, even if on a small-scale. We start small, feel empowered, and we grow from there.

I'd love to continue aiding this process. I think I possess the right skills to continue in this position - the humility to listen to criticism and grow, the experience of 1.5 years of Environmental Club coordinating and 1 year of being a student government senator, the passion to make a difference in students' lives, a creative mind, a tendency to follow-through, and the ability to work well with others. I bike to campus - about a 15 minute bike ride, and next year, I'll be in classes part-time, so I'll have sufficient time to make the Environmental Club great!

David Nokovic - applying for assistant coordinator
My name is David Nokovic, and I think Environmental Club is one of the most important student groups on campus. It is a place where anyone who is interested in environmental causes can meet like minded people and take on campaigns. That is why I would love to apply to be the assistant coordinator for next year! I have had numerous organizing and campaign experiences. This past year I was one of the Sierra Club fellows, and was able to take 30 students from Portland State to join 12,000 students in Washington DC for an environmental conference called Powershift to demand bold and comprehensive answers to climate change. I feel like my experience in coordinating and fundraising is something that I could bring to Environmental Club to help it accomplish the campaigns we really want to accomplish in times as crucial as these. I am totally able to come to compromise, and in-fact I encourage dynamic group discussions to make sure that projects reflect everyone who was involved. I'm creative, pragmatic, and easy-going, and I would love to be your assistant Environmental Club coordinator for next school year.

Lisa Christensen - applying for either coordinator or assistant coordinator
* motivations for applying
I have been attending environmental club meetings for almost the entire spring ’09 term. Before that I attended the debate team for 2 non-consecutive terms, which didn’t offer me a lot of growth and involvement. Besides my recent interest in the environmental club, I have been a fan of outdoor activities, bicycling, gardening, and more all my life. I believe that the goals of the environmental club closely fit my choice in lifestyle.

* previous organizing experience
During senior year in high school I developed and organized my own art show with 15+ attendees and catering.

* time availability next year
Next year I will be transitioning from co-admit with PCC and PSU to full-time at junior standing at PSU. I also believe that involvement in a club will give me valuable experience, so I am ready to make a commitment.

* people skills - ability to compromise, fulfill obligations, etc
Some of my skills include: conflict resolution, team working skills, persistence, communication skills, and task management.

* easy access to campus? (live near, bike, or etc)
I live in SE Portland, within a 30-minute bus ride. Currently that is my transportation of choice, but I might bike next year because I won’t be commuting to distant PCC campuses.

Hanna Davis - applying for coordinator
I'd like to apply for a coordinator position because after my first year at PSU, I've come to appreciate the friendships I've forged through the Environmental Club and the experience I've gathered. After having been a member for a year and observing, I have the confidence to give it a try. I'm an environmental science major and I'd like to go into environmental education, so EClub gives me a way to reach out to the PSU community.

I was student leader of my high school's Science Club, and student representative on the School Forest Taskforce. This year at PSU, I helped organize 25 students for a trip to Washington DC for the Powershift '09 conference. This included purchasing plane tickets, speaking to the Student Funds Committee (we received $7000), planning fundraising events, and networking with students and staff at PSU.

I'll be a full time student next year, taking between 12 and 16 credits. I will not have a job on the side.

I'm usually easy to work with, reliable, and flexible. I'm good at maintaining communication and I generally enjoy speaking in public.

I'll be living on campus next year.

Net Impact's Summer Intern Happy Hour
This is a great opportunity for those of you that will be in town to connect with members from the Professional Chapter, Willamette U. Chapter, and a number of N.I. members that are in Portland for the summer for various reasons, including sustainability focused internships.

When: Wednesday, June 24th - 5:30 - 7:00pm
Where: The Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub
928 SE 9th / Portland, OR 97214

Don't miss this great opportunity to make connections with other N.I. members over a delicious brew!
Special thanks to Heidi Rahn from N.I. Professional for coordinating the event.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s popular “Movies in the Park”
Looking for free family activities this summer? Want to enjoy the beauty of your own neighborhood? Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is once again bringing “Movies in the Park” to neighborhood parks throughout the city, beginning Friday, July 3 through Friday, September 11.

Highlights for 2009 include four movies in 3D; two movies subtitled for individuals with hearing disabilities; one movie in Spanish and subtitled in English; a series of classic Hollywood (Wizard of Oz, Casablanca and Singin’ in the Rain) offered at historic Laurelhurst Park; and two movies presented at the amphitheater in Washington Park – A Tribute to Elvis, featuring the movie Blue Hawaii, and a sing-a-long version of the 2008 hit musical Mamma Mia!

“Movies in the Park” is one of several free programs offered by Portland Parks & Recreation this summer to bring community members and neighbors together to share an enjoyable activity in their neighborhood parks. Popular family movies are shown on a giant, 268-square foot screen with a state-of-the-art sound system.

http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=40197&a=246421

City wants buildings’ energy use information accessible
New policy would help small business owners make informed decisions on sustainability.

As Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Policy Analyst Vinh Mason works to finish the city’s proposed High Performance Green Building Policy, which would require a transparent disclosure of a building’s performance, he’s drawing on his own challenges as a small-business owner looking for energy-efficient space.

The policy, scheduled to be completed in July, proposes that owners disclose their buildings’ performance in the areas of energy use, water use and storm-water management. It’s intended to make it easier for small businesses, such as Mason’s, to make informed decisions about the space they lease.

http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/05/20/City-wants-buildings-energy-use-information-accessible-New-policy-would-help-small-business-owners-m

Green walk in Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Green Walk!

Discover one of Portland's most valuable resources...its parks! PP&R staff and volunteers lead guided tours of parks, gardens, and natural areas throughout town. PP&R staff and volunteers share Portland's unique history in its parks, plants, and animals!

Meet at the visitor's center; 4000 SW Fairway Blvd.

No advance registration is necessary. For more info, call 503-823-3601.

http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?mode=calendar&cal=DisplayEvent&event_id=41352&c=38307

Portland's 2009 Climate Action Plan - needs volunteers

Dear Friends,

Recently the City of Portland released its 2009 Climate Action Plan for public comment. To encourage participation in this process, the Mayor has planned for seven town hall meetings in communities around the city. To see the full Climate Action Plan, visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/climate.

We are looking for volunteers to help with two components:

* Event Assistance: Help us with general duties including set-up, sign-in, room monitoring, and clean-up. Volunteers will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the official start time.
* Outreach: We are looking for individuals who live in the neighborhoods of the town halls that would be interested in dropping off posters to businesses, community centers and libraries. Additionally, you will distribute postcards during the Rose Festival and at grocery stores the weekend before each town hall.

Please let us know if you are interested in either of these opportunities and indicate which town halls you are interested in participating in. We hope you will join us in this important public involvement effort.

Northwest
Thursday, June 4th, 2009, Neighborhood Friendly House, 2617 NW Savier St.

Business Focus
Monday, June 15 5:30-7:30 pm, SOUK, 322 NW 6th Ave, Suite 200

Southeast
Saturday, June 20 1-3 pm, Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd Ave

Southwest
Monday, June 22 6:30-8:30 pm, Fulton Park Community Center, 68 SW Miles St

Northeast
Thursday, June 25 6:30-8:30 pm, Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St

Downtown/Central Westside
Monday, June 29 6:30-8:30 pm, Lincoln High School Cafeteria, 1600 SW Salmon St

North
Tuesday, July 7 6:30-8:30 pm, University Park Community Center, 9009 N Foss Ave

Wing Grabowski
City of Portland, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Events & Outreach
wgrabowski@ci.portland.or.us
503.823.4309
BPS Events, Online

Polar ice caps are melting, melting, melting because it is so hot in Portland.

Week of Spring weather

2009-05-18T02:12:00.000-07:00

Environmental Club members & supporters,

There is a meeting this evening at 6:30 pm! We'll be reflecting on this last year and discussing new coordinators. This meeting will include nominations and discussions, and final meeting (June 1) will be elections.

Last two meetings this year:

* TODAY, Monday, May 18 at 6:30 pm in SMSU 229
* Monday June 1, time TBA in SMSU 229

Electing Environmental Club Coordinators for next year

This evening at 6:30 pm, we'll be having a meeting to reflect and analyze on how this last year went as far as meetings, campaigns, and Environmental Club events. Your feedback will be helpful in determining how we can improve for next year.

We are also electing coordinators for next year. Below is a series of questions for you to answer if you are interested in a coordinator or assistant coordinator position:

your motivations for applying
previous organizing experience (don't worry if you don't have any, and organizing a study group does count)
time availability next year
people skills - ability to compromise, fulfill obligations, etc
do you have easy access to campus? (live near, bike, or etc)

Please email your responses to ecpsu@pdx.edu by May 25th, and be prepared to talk about them at our final meeting when we make coordinator decisions.

If you aren't interested in a coordinator position, plan on coming to the final meetings of this year to give your opinions and ideas, to share in snacks and fun activities, and to enjoy the company of your fellow members!

Take Back the Tap shows "Addicted to Plastic" - documentary
12:30 pm, Thursday, May 21
SMSU 238
Hot Lips Pizza Provided!

"The truth is, only about 5% of all plastic actually gets recycled." Ian Connacher

"From early plastic like bakelite, now a collectible, to plastic water bottles, the use of plastic is pervasive. The cheapest, strongest, most ubiquitous material ever invented, that might be quietly poisoning us," states Connacher, in this point-of-view documentary that takes him to 12 countries, five continents, and to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. Through interviews and expert views, he offers possible solutions to recycling, toxicity, and biodegradation. At the forefront of Addicted to Plastic (2008) is how we might rethink future consumption and production of plastic. A wake-up call becomes a call for change for the rest of us. http://www.crypticmoth.com

Also, it's your chance to buy the last of the Klean Kanteens!

PSU's Annual Sustainabilty Presentations

What: Please join PSU students, faculty, and staff for a celebration of our successes in sustainability during the 2008-2009 academic year.

When: Friday, May 29, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Where: PSU Native American Student and Community Center (710 S.W. Jackson St.)

This annual celebration gives the PSU community an opportunity to recognize those individuals and efforts that have made this past year a transformative time for the University's many sustainability initiatives. The event includes:

Poster session of those faculty and student projects funded by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation grants;
Highlights from the year in operations, academics, student leadership and "Green Teams";
Recognition of graduating student cohorts in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs focused on sustainability;
Recognition of outstanding graduating student employees;
Remarks from campus leaders and a look ahead at plans for 2009-2010.

Denver University students plant community Learning Garden

DU students Erin Hough and Ben Waldman spent a recent Saturday with classmates and neighbors creating a community garden from an unused plot of land owned by the University....

“We’re trying to look at how to break down big-picture problems and apply solutions in our own little world,” Hough says. “It’s kind of inspiring because you can get direct feedback for what you’re doing.”

One of their most concrete projects involves creating a community garden on university-owned land located at 1817 S. High St. “It was quite the process getting all the necessary approvals,” Waldman says. The environmental team held community meetings of students, faculty, and neighbors and worked with Denver Urban Gardens on design and resource management. “I first saw community gardens in Seattle a few years back, and it seemed like it didn’t make sense for DU not to have one, if it wants to be a ‘green’ school. It also seemed like a great way to break down that invisible wall between DU students and our neighbors.”

Sound familiar to our attempt at getting a Learning Garden at PSU? Fortunately, PSU already has a community garden - now if only we could get some learning garden programs for classes to use. How cool would that be? Take a geology class and do soil testing on campus? Or sign up for an economics class and learn the business of growing your own food? Or sit in a permaculture class but set up a garden right out the classroom door?

Do they have solar-powered fans?

Meeting tonight

2009-05-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

Elections, elections, elections!

One more day to vote for next year's student government. Vote online at http://banweb.pdx.edu under Student Election 2009 (Personal Information Tab). Polls are open until Monday, May 11 at 5:00 pm.

Regarding the Environmental Club, we will be electing coordinators for next year. Next two meetings (May 11 and May 18) will be nominations and discussions, and final meeting (June 1) will be elections. Think you might be interested? Come to one of the next two meetings or email us (ecpsu@pdx.edu).

Last three meetings this year:

* TODAY, Monday, May 11 at 5 pm in SMSU 229
* Monday, May 18 at 6:30 pm in SMSU 229
* Monday June 1, time TBA in SMSU 229

Rally for the Climate, Green Jobs, and Clean Air in Seattle - Bus ride up!
12 pm, Thursday, May 21
Bus departs Portland at 8 am (see below for more info)
Seattle's Bell Harbor International Conference Center pier 66 on Alaskan Way

Support the Obama Administration’s Powerful New Stance on Global Warming!

YES WE CAN reverse global warming to protect our families and communities and create millions of new green jobs! And, finally, the federal government is moving to deliver on that promise! We need the federal government to step up, and there's never been a better time.

President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency need to hear from you. The EPA has concluded there is overwhelming evidence that greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion and vehicles endanger our health and welfare. Now that it has recognized the threat, the EPA must develop rules under the Clean Air Act to safeguard the environment and develop a new green economy. But the coal and oil lobbies will fight the Administration every step of the way. President Obama and the EPA need you to stand up and help them fight for what’s right! This is one of only two hearings in the entire country – the other is in Arlington, VA!

Ways you can help:

* Attend the rally on May 21st at noon to show support and to help end our reliance on dirty energy. RSVP on-line now!
* Find out more about the all day hearing itself and consider signing up to testify.
o How to testify.pdf
o Script.pdf
o Sign up to speak at hearing

It’s been so long since the EPA did its job – enforcing our environmental laws and protecting the public. We protested when they failed; now we need to step up and help them succeed!

BUS RIDE from Portland:
Get on the bus!!! Sierra Club is hosting a bus from Portland to Seattle. Enjoy a free ride with breakfast, issue briefings, and awesome company!

Thursday May 21st, bus departs portland at 8:00 am and arrives in time for the noon rally and guest speakers. Bus will return by 5pm.

EMAIL FOR MORE DETAILS!
ecpsu@pdx.edu

City of Portland: Polarized or Powerful? Now We're Talkin' dialogue
Thursday, May 28
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Stark Street Meetinghouse
4312 SE Stark St

Diversity, Engagement, Togetherness, Development, Socio-Economic Impact, Acceptance, Relationship building, Class, Growth, Learning...

Have you had the feeling you're not in Kansas, anymore? Things are changing so rapidly, it's difficult to figure out which end is up.

Between the economic recession, the stimulus package and local plans to update the policies that will drive growth in the City of Portland for he next generation, everything is up in the air.

* How can we make good decisions in a climate of uncertainty?
* How can the community come together to support each other?
* How can we know that what we think is our best interest is good for our neighbors?
* Can we influence any of this?
* What do we need to change about our relationship with each other to not only weather the change, but create the community of our dreams together?

Yes, You Can!

Please join us for a new community dialogue series - "Now, We're Talking, Polarized or Powerful" the last Thursday of the month for the next five months.

RSVP for additional information or to reserve childcare or language translation. To RSVP please call 503 823-4112 or email judith.mowry@ci.portland.or.us

Transportation: Trimet Bus #15

To help ensure equal access to city programs, services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify policies/procedures and provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities. Call 7 days in advance to request special assistance for ADA accessibility or language interpretation. TTY 503 823-6868

Co-sponsored by:
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Southeast Uplift
Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods
Oregon Action
Central NE Neighbors

2009-05-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

Student elections are here! Vote online at http://banweb.pdx.edu under Student Election 2009 (Personal Information Tab).

Vote between:
May 5 (Tues) 8:00 am to May 8 (Fri) 5:00 pm
May 11 (Mon) 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

PSU Student Elections May 5th - May 11th
http://banweb.pdx.edu
Why does it matter? You know that $200 in student fees we pay each term? It adds up to at least $12 million a year, and the student government is the main allocator of that money. Specifically, the SFC decides where that money goes - some of it goes to student groups (including the Environmental Club), some to the maintenance of Smith Memorial Student Union (it's half owned by students), and some to Campus Rec and Athletics. Additionally, the Senate has oversight of the SFC, while also working for students on various campaigns from childcare to better student orientations to equal rights. The student body president and vice president represent students when working with administration. Their competency can go a long way in convincing administration to make PSU better for students. The president and vice president also hire an executive team that works on issues ranging from equal rights for students, leadership development, lobbying in Salem for financial aid, student voice, and education access.

That's why it's important you vote. Last year, less than 2,000 students out of 27,000 enrolled students voted. Your money, your tuition, your student groups, and your campus depend on you speaking up. And with such small turnout, your voice carries a lot of weight!

Info about candidates at http://www.aspsu.pdx.edu/eboard/docs/0809eboard-statements.pdf

Environmental Club endorses Lavallee-Proudfoot of the ACT slate
At the last meeting, the Environmental Club decided to endorse presidential candidate Collin Lavallee and vice presidential candidate Chris Proudfoot of the ACT slate after listening to their platform values. The other two slates (Multicultural and Sustainability slates) were invited to speak, but did not show up. The ACT slate includes Collin Lavallee for President, Chris Proudfoot for Vice President, and Amina Ali, Nicholas Mercury Carlstrom, Daniel Lyons, Daria Raskova, Fallon Roderick, Johanna Rose, Robert Lowe, Pakou Xiong, and Jarrell Townsend for the Senate. Check out their Facebook page.

Candidate for SFC chair, Johnnie Ozimkowski, promotes sustainability
Johnnie Ozimkowski stopped in at the last Environmental Club meeting and shared his vision for student group sustainability. He states that he would like to work towards conservation. In a time of economic hardship, wise environmental sustainability can save money and the planet. He hopes to encourage student groups to work towards wise economic and environmental uses of their student fees (less bottled water, utilizing the local and sustainable Food for Thought, less air travel, etc).

Also on the ballot: The Green Initiative Fund
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) is a proposed student fee that will help create several new sustainability initiatives to save PSU students money, create new opportunities for students to learn and participate in sustainability, and reduce our community’s carbon footprint. PSU students will pay only $5 per term to help fund:

1. FlexPass Subsidy: Provide a subsidy to decrease the cost of the current FlexPass program. This is the first of many steps to creating a universal pass for all students at PSU.
2. Special Sustainability Projects Fund: Establish a student-governed grant making committee called the “Gravy Fund” for small scale sustainable capital projects, such as bike parking stations, bikes for the new bike loan program, water bottle refilling stations, etc.
3. Green Revolving Loan Fund: to support sustainability projects that will result in long-term savings for students. Such projects include energy efficient lighting, energy and water conservation projects and highly efficient computer labs. The Revolving Loan Fund will be self-sustaining and grow over time as the funds are constantly “revolving” or being used, earned back, and reinvested.
4. Conservation and Renewable Energy Manager: Provide a living wage salary for a new energy manager, who will focus on coordinating energy efficiency projects, as well as managing the Green Revolving Loan Fund.

Vote for TGIF May 4-8!

*The Green Initiative Fund has been endorsed by all three slates - ACT, Multicultural, and Sustainability. The Green Initiative Fund is neutral and does not endorse any particular slate.

Sunroot Gardens - let's get our hands dirty
We are planning on having a gardening day (TBA) with Sunroot Gardens. Sunroot Gardens transforms people's lawns into gardens (given their permission, of course), and runs a CSA with the food produced! They're always in need of helping hands, and when in season, labor earns some fresh produce. The plot will be within biking or bus distance from campus. Watch the next couple newsletters for more info.

Here's an excerpt from their website:
Ready to get serious about growing food for survival in these changing times? Here's what Sunroot Gardens is doing:

* planting veggies in the city; in front, back & side yards, empty lots & anyplace else possible
* raising staple crops like wheat, beans & quinoa in large plots, in & out of town
* bartering produce & staple crops for land, labor, goods & services needed to farm
* harvesting & distributing to the people who contribute, from a central Southeast location

Sunroot Gardens is not a business or a non-profit, and is not affiliated with any political group, religion, or philosophy. It is simply an effort to feed as many people as possible by offering them ways to participate in the growing of the food.

Have you seen sustainability in action this year?
The Campus Sustainability Office is seeking information about exciting contributions that have been made in our community during the 2008-09 academic year. Please respond to Heather Spalding (hspaldin@pdx.edu) before Friday, May 15th with any information you may have about innovative changes that have happened around campus.

These may include:
* Individuals who have shown outstanding commitment
* Projects and proposals
* Partnerships
* Stories
* Events
* Photos

Responses do not need to be formal or in-depth. Just brainstorm and send whatever ideas you can think of. We will use this information for our 2nd annual Sustainability Celebration which will be held on May 29th from 3:00 - 5:30.

Thanks for your input!

Help decide the future of PSU Cycling: Win prizes!
The PSU Cycling Club is looking for responses to their Future of PSU Cycling survey. They are looking at what kind of activities people are interested in (regardless of if those people are members or not). This will help the club plan for the coming years. Respondents will be entered into a drawing for one of five (5) PSU Cycling t-shirts.

This short survey is online: http://tinyurl.com/c6otu6

Volunteer with OLCV tomorrow night: easy phone banking on key global warming bill
6 - 8 pm, Tuesday, May 5
Oregon League of Conservation Voters office, 320 SW Stark, Suite 530, Portland

Will the Oregon house support this key bill, which would reduce fuel pollution by 10%, improve truck efficiency, protect consumers, and reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels? Or will they shy away, blinded by scare tactics from polluters, who have dug in their heels and are pulling out all the stops?

Come on down! Tomorrow night (Tuesday), we're phone banking on this key bill from 6 to 8 pm at OLCV. We'll be calling constituents in at least two, and up to five, key districts. As those of you who've worked in the capitol know, legislators take notice based on just a few calls from constituents -- it can make all the difference!

These are super-easy phone calls: you're not asking for money, you're letting people take one minute to speak out and help them contribute to key laws! In fact, last week when I called on this every single person I reached said "yes" and several said "thank you"!

If you can make it, please let Melissa (melissa@olcv.org) know so we can provide snacks.

About the bill:

Vote YES on HB 2186

Good for Consumers and Emerging Businesses, Reduces Our Dependence on Foreign Fossil Fuels

House Bill 2186 takes common-sense steps to reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels and reduce global warming pollution.

House Bill 2186 would reduce Oregon’s global warming impact and spur Oregon innovation and businesses. The bill focuses on actions that create significant benefits and have health, consumer, and energy benefits. Tire efficiency, idling reduction, low-polluting fuels, product composition, and truck aerodynamics have been studied for decades, and other states have moved forward on these issues.

Helping Emerging Oregon Businesses: Reducing Pollution from Fuel by 10% by 2020

A low-pollution fuel standard could reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of fuel by 10% by 2020. Many Oregon companies -- such as SeQuential Biofuels (Salem), Green Fuels of Oregon (Klamath Falls), Willamette Biomass Producers (Rickreall), and EnviroFuel (Corvallis) -- could benefit, as would new entrepreneurs. Oil and utility companies supported a similar effort in California.

Saving Money on Fuel: Improving Aerodynamics in Trucks

Truck owners can add fairings and other items to increase efficiency. Improving aerodynamics reduces drag, saving money on fuel and reducing air pollution. With the help of Coburg-based Cascade Sierra Solutions, truck owners can borrow money for equipment and pay it back over time from fuel savings.

Saving Consumers Fuel and Money: Low Rolling Resistance Tires

Since the 1980s, car manufacturers have used low rolling resistance tires as an affordable way to increase miles-per-gallon. However, replacement tires don’t always meet those standards. Efficient tires can cost $2 to $3 more, but that is quickly returned, as tires can reduce fuel consumption by 1.5% - 4.5%, saving $12 to $40 over the lifetime of a tire. The bill prohibits rules adversely affecting safety or tire life and exempts deep-tread tires, snow tires, specialty tires, and motorcycle tires.

Smart Choices: Substitutes for Products Containing High-Potency Greenhouse Gases

Substituting safe, cost-effective alternatives for the high-potency greenhouse gases found in certain consumer and commercial products (used as refrigerants or propellants) makes environmental and economic sense.

Join the Willamette River Clean Up -- May 16
Willamette River Clean-Up
Down By the Riverside Event
Saturday, May 16
9:00 a.m.

The City of Portland is teaming up with SOLV to assure a big turnout at this year’s Down By The Riverside event on Saturday, May 16. Riverfront businesses and residents, as well as hundreds of public-spirited individuals, will be picking up litter along the Willamette River that day starting at 9:00 a.m.

The City and SOLV have lined-up locations from Kelley Point Park to the Sellwood Bridge where the public is encouraged to come down to the river for a few hours to show how much Portlanders care about the Willamette.

Advance registration is required. To sign-up for a site, visit SOLV’s Down By the Riverside webpage… http://www.solv.org/programs/down_by_the_riverside.asp or contact Brett with SOLV at 503-844-9571 ext 332.

People with questions specific to the Willamette Clean Up can also contact Rick Bastasch, City of Portland River Renaissance/Office of Healthy Working Rivers, 503-823-0275.

Clean-up starts at 9:00 a.m. and will go no later than 1:00 p.m., with most sites requiring just a couple of hours work. Each site will have a coordinator to hand out litter bags and gloves and explain safety procedures. Participation is restricted to kids 12 and older, unless otherwise noted on the site registration.

We hope to see you Down by the River!

Bling H20 - Celebrating absurdity with crystal-studded bottled water
(Taken from Portland Online)

Check this out - Bling H20! And more about extreme bottled water - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/bling_h2o.php!

What is Bling H20? Sexy water? What sort of product could this be? The site boasts that Bling is "More Than a Pretty Taste" and that it's "more expensive than wine."

In reality, Bling H20 is just really, really expensive bottled water. Evidently, it is the brain-child of a Hollywood writer-produced who surmised that "...you could tell a lot about a person by the bottled water they carried." So he bottled his water in Swarovski Crytsals. Yes, that's right -- you too can pay anywhere from $10 for a small, plastic bottle to more than $400 for a case of crystal studded glass bottled water.

...or you can grab a reusable stainless steel bottle and refill it multiple times from your tap for many, many less dollars... but I guess that wouldn't really be putting out your best Hollywood image would it?

Wash your hands often and beware of the pig sniffles!

Week of May Day

2009-04-27T01:48:00.000-07:00

Next meeting is tomorrow, Monday, April 27 at 5:00 pm in SMSU 229. We'll be looking at photos from our Earth Day fair, planting some seeds, discussing the upcoming elections week and a movie night, and what we hope to accomplish by the end of the year. If you missed our Earth Day fair and want to plant some seeds, bring some containers for yourself. Egg crates, coffee cups, and plastic tubs work well! We have the soil and tons of vegetable and herb seeds.

Thank you to all our Earth Day volunteers! You were amazing and made this event a success. We will be posting photos on the Environmental Club website soon. Many many herb and vegetable seeds are probably starting to sprout too - planted on Earth Day at the event!

PSU Student Elections May 4th - May 8th
Environmental Club endorses Lavallee-Proudfoot of the ACT slate

Elections for PSU student body president, vice president, Student Fees Committee (SFC), and Senate will be occurring next week. Starting Monday, May 4th, VOTE at https://banweb.pdx.edu/!

Why does it matter? You know that $200 in student fees we pay each term? It adds up to at least $12 million a year and the student gov't is the main allocator of that money. Specifically, the SFC decides where that money goes - some of it goes to student groups (including the Environmental Club), some to the maintenance of Smith Memorial Student Union (it's half owned by students), and some to Campus Rec and Athletics. Additionally, the Senate has oversight of the SFC, while also working for students on various campaigns from childcare to better student orientations to equal rights. The student body president and vice president represent students when working with administration. Their competency can go a long way in convincing administration to make PSU better for students. The president and vice president also hire an executive team that works on issues ranging from equal rights for students, leadership development, lobbying in Salem for financial aid, student voice, and education access.

That's why it's important you vote. Last year, less than 2,000 students out of 27,000 enrolled students voted. Your money, your tuition, your student groups, and your campus depend on you speaking up. And with such small turnout, your voice carries a lot of weight!

At the last meeting, the Environmental Club decided to endorse presidential candidate Collin Lavallee and vice presidential candidate Chris Proudfoot of the ACT slate after listening to their platform values. The other two slates (Multicultural and Sustainability slates) were invited to speak, but did not show up. The ACT slate includes Collin Lavallee for President, Chris Proudfoot for Vice President, and Amina Ali, Nicholas Mercury Carlstrom, Daniel Lyons, Daria Raskova, Fallon Roderick, Johanna Rose, Robert Lowe, Pakou Xiong, and Jarrell Townsend for the Senate. Check out their Facebook page.

Also on the ballot: The Green Initiative Fund
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) is a proposed student fee that will help create several new sustainability initiatives to save PSU students money, create new opportunities for students to learn and participate in sustainability, and reduce our community’s carbon footprint. PSU students will pay only $5 per term to help fund:

1. FlexPass Subsidy: Provide a subsidy to decrease the cost of the current FlexPass program. This is the first of many steps to creating a universal pass for all students at PSU.
2. Special Sustainability Projects Fund: Establish a student-governed grant making committee called the “Gravy Fund” for small scale sustainable capital projects, such as bike parking stations, bikes for the new bike loan program, water bottle refilling stations, etc.
3. Green Revolving Loan Fund: to support sustainability projects that will result in long-term savings for students. Such projects include energy efficient lighting, energy and water conservation projects and highly efficient computer labs. The Revolving Loan Fund will be self-sustaining and grow over time as the funds are constantly “revolving” or being used, earned back, and reinvested.
4. Conservation and Renewable Energy Manager: Provide a living wage salary for a new energy manager, who will focus on coordinating energy efficiency projects, as well as managing the Green Revolving Loan Fund.

Vote for TGIF May 4-8!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Contact Brendan Castricano (donbrendoni at gmail.com) or Sam (samanthaspies at gmail.com) if you want to help with the campaign!

*The Green Initiative Fund has been endorsed by all three slates - ACT, Multicultural, and Sustainability. The Green Initiative Fund is neutral and does not endorse any particular slate.

The Human Revolution - Mystic Country Jam Rock Rocks Portland with Wake up America Tour!
The Human Revolution Love Revolution CD Release Party with special guests Medicine for the People & The Volt Per Octaves
Where: The Fez Ballroom. 316 SW 11th Ave Portland, OR
When: May 6th, 2009. Doors open at 8pm. $8 cover.

Also playing at...
Where: Chaos Café Parlor 2620 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR
When: May 1, 2009. Show starts at 8pm. $5 cover.

Members of the mystic-country-jam-rock band The Human Revolution, based Mendocino Coast in Northern California, are coming to Portland, Oregon to perform their high energy, spiritually uplifting, non-dogmatic country-folk-funk music. The ‘Wake Up America Tour’ has multiple dates scheduled in Portland. From Portland, the tour will make its way through to New York and back across to California and will promote the values of peace, sovereignty, and freedom America was founded on, and to encourage people to become active participants in the emerging culture of social, spiritual and environmental awareness.

“We can regain the trust of the world and once again become a leading example of a culture free of hunger, destruction, and pollution, leading the way with modern technology…but for that to happen we’d better start wakin’ people up!” says Human, the group’s songwriter and front man.

The Human Revolution wowed audiences last fall with an opening gig for Willie Nelson in Humboldt, CA. These exciting performances will feature some of the finest in eco-conscious, and spiritually awakened music available.

For additional ‘Wake Up America!’ tour dates, videos, and music, log on to www.thehumanrevolution.org

~~~~
Earth Day is everyday!

Week of Earth Day!

2009-04-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

Wednesday is Earth Day!! Get involved to help the planet and our future. Environmental Club is hosting a fair in the Park Blocks next to Smith. Come out and visit us between 11 and 3.

The next meeting is Monday, April 27 at 5:00 pm in SMSU 229.

PSU's Learning Gardens forum went really well! We had several panelists with educational gardening experience, ranging from Portland Community College's Learning Gardens, Southeast Learning Gardens Laboratory, and Tryon Life Community. A few administrators and students were present and all asked great questions of the panelists.

Focus the Nation townhall went really well also! Hoffman Hall was packed with people from all over Portland. I met a bunch of students from University of Portland, a high school teacher, and listened to Earl Blumenaeur!

Earth Day Fair
The Environmental Club is hosting an Earth Day Fair on Wednesday, April 22 from 11 to 3. We have invited a ton of sustainability groups to table with us in the Park Blocks. Come by and visit us!!

We have 4 tables that are Environmental Club related.

* Take Back the Tap
* Planting your own vegetable starters & Learning Gardens
* Letters to your legislator (with Sierra Student Coalition)
* Environmental Club main table & "To reduce my footprint, I will..." poster

PSU Senior Capstone - Nicaragua, Community, Sustainability
Be part of the solution! Join the next group of PSU students to travel in Nicaragua to make a difference with rural farming communities. In this two quarter Capstone, you will work with local and international NGOs to help design and implement a project that focuses on food security, watershed restoration, renewable and appropriate energy, and community development. Students will learn sustainable energy alternatives (ex. photovoltaics, micro-hydro, & wind).

This Capstone has two phases:
1) At PSU, students will address small-scale deployment of sustainable energy to support community health and economic development. You will have an opportunity to write a grant or fundraise for continuing the project; and
2) In Nicaragua, students will tour rural, community based renewable and appropriate energy projects and talk with men, women, and children about the local successes and challenges.

This Capstone is for the Fall 2009/Winter 2010 quarters. During winter break, students will travel to Nicaragua for 10-12 days and work directly with villagers on a variety of renewable and appropriate energy oriented service projects.

Dates: Fall and Winter Quarters. Travel Planned for Dec. 9 – Dec 18 (subject to change)

Want to see what we have done?
Go to: http://nicaragua-pdx.pbwiki.com/

If you are interested please contact:
John Rueter
Professor of Environmental Sciences and Management
rueterj@pdx.edu 503 725 3194

Cycling Club events
Coming up there are some fun cycling club rides you can go on and ride your bike. You can find specific information about these rides on the cycling club calendar
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=dmlraW5nLmN5Y2xpbmdAZ21haWwuY29t

Here's the FUNdamentals:
LHTuesday: Meet in front of SB2 at noon, ride for a while. good training for the STP or any long ride you want to do this summer. Last week we rode up to skyline and then back down Germantown road, over st johns, and stopped at voodoo donut. It was fun. This week will be different, but hopefully still fun. Also, we might be making a movie about the cycling club so I'm going to wear my jersey, you should too! Bring water, snacks, tools, and some cash. Be prepared for flats, mechanicals, rain, wind, and fatty tasty sugar treats.

Hump Day Hustle (Wednesday):
Meet in front of SB2 at 6:30-ish. ride leaves at 7. This will be more urban, so bring your lights and lock. we'll ride up a hill or two, but not hammer on them. This is NOT a training ride, but is intended to be fun, and a little challenging, and social. We'll try to wrap it up around nine, depending on how folks are feeling.

BIKE POLO:
It's polo, but on bikes, so no horsies. Sorry. However, it is on campus, at the tennis courts just south (uphill!) of Shattuck hall, and will be wicked awesome. Starts at 6PM, but show up as soon as you can. Goes until everyone is tired or it is too dark to play, though the calendar says 8.

As always, there will be a Saturday ride. check the calendar!

Also: If you have ideas for awesome rides you want to lead, or you know of a neat place we should go, or something else, please come on a ride and tell us about it, or email, or call.

City of Portland: Overlook clean-up starts at new Pittman Addition HydroPark
10 am - 12 pm, Sat April 25
Pittman Addition HydroPark

Help out with the annual Overlook neighborhood clean-up!

Bring leather gloves, and heavy boots or shoes. Community members will meet at the newly developing Pittman Addition HydroPark at the north end of the Concord Street pedestrian overpass (just west of Interstate and N Going). Volunteers will help remove some non-native plants at the new park site and then move on to other nearby sites and finish up with litter pick-up along Going Street down to N Greeley Avenue.

The clean-up is being sponsored by the Overlook Neighborhood Association, Portland Water Bureau, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, and Metro.
http://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?mode=calendar&cal=DisplayEvent&event_id=40562&c=30155

YouTube's Live Green channel
Tips and Ideas for Eco-living... and a bunch of videos!
http://www.youtube.com/ytlivegreen

Drop your homework and go outside!

April Rain showers

2009-04-13T03:42:00.000-07:00

We have a meeting today, Monday, April 13 at 5:00 pm in SMSU 229.

We also have a new Learning Garden Research Coordinator! His name is David, he's a graduate student here at PSU. He's had several years of experience creating, maintaining, and teaching in Learning Gardens. David will be helping us research and develop the Learning Garden.

Water Awareness Week was awesome - tons of Klean Kanteens sold!

Earth Day Fair volunteer opportunities
The Environmental Club is hosting an Earth Day Fair on Wednesday, April 22 from 11 to 3. We have invited a ton of sustainability groups to table with us in the Park Blocks.

We need some help with:

* getting donations for a raffle
* being at the tables. We have 4 tables that are Environmental Club related. If you can spare an hour, 2 hours, or even more, sit at the table & help interested students! All the tables will be next to each other, so you won't be alone!
o Take Back the Tap
o Starting your own vegetable starters & Learning Garden table
o Letters to your legislator table
o Environmental Club & "To reduce my footprint, I will..." poster
* helping us create a giant poster & pieces of paper for people to write on

PSU's Learning Garden forum
11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 14
SMSU rm 298

What: A panel of experts will share their experiences and answer questions about garden-based education. Afterwards, audience members will be able to share their ideas for PSU's Campus Learning Garden.

Why: In the effort to create an on-campus PSU Learning Garden, we want to give PSU administrators and students a chance to learn and plan with the professionals - those with experience creating and sustaining a Learning Garden.

The Environmental Club and ASPSU have been working on creating a Learning Garden on the PSU campus. The garden will provide hands-on experience with urban agriculture and will be used as an educational tool by classes and student groups. Local food production will be a central theme of the Learning Garden.

The Environmental Club was recently awarded a small grant through the Miller Gift and the Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices and has hired a graduate student to begin the development of a Learning Garden program. This forum will bring together experts, students, and decision-makers and will guide the next steps in the creation of a Learning Garden.

We'd like you to attend because students are the main benefactors of a Learning Garden. We have invited several administrators who are key in the decision to allow a Learning Garden - this is their chance to learn why a Learning Garden is so great and address their concerns. As students, this is also our chance to learn the benefits of a Learning Garden, ask questions, and provide ideas, but most of all, this is a chance to show our support of a Learning Garden to the administration.

Please email any questions to PJ Houser of the Environmental Club, ecpsu@pdx.edu

Focus the Nation - townhall at PSU
Friday, April 17th, starts at 6 pm. Show up as early as 5 pm.
PSU's Hoffman Hall

Join Town Hall participants Senator Jeff Merkley (via video message), Congressman Earl Blumenaeur, Representative Ben Cannon, Representative Jules Bailey, Mayor Sam Adams, and Commissioner Jeff Cogen for an examination of current federal and local climate policy, and how it translates to the Portland/Metro area.

Mayor Sam Adams will release the Multnomah County Climate Action Plan for the first time to the public, and we will be the first people to provide feedback, raise questions, and insert our value bases into this city-wide document!

Interested in asking a question to the reps who will be there? There will be opportunities to develop an idea of the question that you want to ask ahead of time, and also time to develop questions at the town hall. We suggest that you:
1) Identify a topic area of interest you feel passionate about (for example... know of any state policy up for vote? got a sweet idea for how the city can improve their waste reduction? are you working on a sweet campus project/ or do you have ideas for uniting the state's climate needs with centers of education?)
2) Write it down
3) Bring it to the town hall, listen to the dialogue that's happening and customize it on the spot if necessary to make it as relevant as possible to the conversation.

Power Down for the Planet - sign the pledge!
Have you signed the pledge at http://www.powerdownfortheplanet.org/pledge? If you are interested in helping put out the word, email Kelli at .

Addicted to Plastic - documentary
7 pm, Tuesday, April 21
SMSU 296
Hot Lips Pizza and Soda Provided!

"The truth is, only about 5% of all plastic actually gets recycled." Ian Connacher

"From early plastic like bakelite, now a collectible, to plastic water bottles, the use of plastic is pervasive. The cheapest, strongest, most ubiquitous material ever invented, that might be quietly poisoning us," states Connacher, in this point-of-view documentary that takes him to 12 countries, five continents, and to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. Through interviews and expert views, he offers possible solutions to recycling, toxicity, and biodegradation. At the forefront of Addicted to Plastic (2008) is how we might rethink future consumption and production of plastic. A wake-up call becomes a call for change for the rest of us. http://www.crypticmoth.com

This program is sponsored by SLECL.

Oregon State Board of Higher Education - Sustainability Initiatives Committee
Oregon is a place where sustainability is a core value and its university system puts knowledge, example and experience at the service of the state, student and the larger world but not without your help. The Board’s Sustainability Initiatives Committee is charged to lead a collaborative effort that sets the system and its institutions on a course to become a recognized international leader in sustainability.

The Committee needs your help to prepare for a system-wide workshop on May 27 that will engage students, faculty and staff in developing an action plan. The first step is to assess how well positioned we are now to grasp the opportunity. We invite (and need) your help in answering three basic questions framed around a draft vision and goals:

What does your campus do now that helps us reach our vision?
What else could your campus do?
What is needed, what barriers need to be overcome to reach our vision?

Go on-line to post answers and comment by May 8: http://www.ous.edu/state_board/workgroups/sust/blog.php

David Yaden
Chair, Sustainability Initiative Committee
Oregon State Board of Higher Education

Please send any questions to:
Bridget Burns
Policy and Research Associate
Oregon University System
541.760.4090

Seriously, register now for SPROG - Youth Grassroots Organizing Training
The SSC's Student Environmental Leadership Trainings, are week-long peer-to-peer training programs led by the nation's top youth organizers. Develop your grassroots organizing and leadership skills, network and bond with fellow students, engage in fun activities and enjoy tasty vegetarian cooking (the low carbon diet for the climate). Not only will you come away changed, you'll have the skills and confidence to be a force for change!

* Oregon: August 16-23
* Washington State: June 21-28

COST: It looks like PSU will be able to send students for free. So register away!

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring... Wake up!

Careers in Sustainability Forum

2009-04-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

RSVP today to attend the Careers in Sustainability Forum on Monday,
April 13th brought to you by your PSU Net Impact Chapter in concert
with the School of Business Administration. The first event of its
kind at PSU, the Careers in Sustainability Forum will be the highlight
of the spring term!

Set yourself apart from the competition in the career marketplace by
finding out what sustainable companies really look for in a new hire!
Gain market awareness and potential leads for job opportunities and
internships in a variety of professions.

We designed this event to give students direct contact with
professionals and hiring personnel from firms. This is our response
to the recent job fair. This time it's just PSU students! Get answers
to your burning questions, network, and enjoy free breakfast.

Make connections with representatives from companies such as:
McKinstry - http://www.mckinstry.com/
PECI - http://peci.org/
ECOS Consulting - http://www.ecosconsulting.com/
ShoreBank Pacific - http://www.eco-bank.com/
EnviroMedia Marketing - http://www.enviromedia.com/
Guayaki - http://www.guayaki.com/
Green Building Services - http://www.greenbuildingservices.com/
Seven Planet Green Stores - http://www.sevenplanet.com/
Ned Space - http://nedspace.com
and more!

This event is open to current students in the MBA, MSFA, and MIM
programs.

RSVP by April 8 to impact@pdx.edu

Monday, April 13

SMU 328-329

Event Schedule:

8:30am Check-In and Continental Breakfast

9:00am Panel Discussion featuring leaders from local
sustainable organizations

9:45am Introduction of visiting companies

10-11:30am Networking and informal discussions with companies

While this is not a recruiting event, it is an excellent opportunity
to build your professional connections and gain awareness of local
companies.

See you there!

Water Awareness Week this Week

2009-04-06T00:50:00.000-07:00

The next meeting is next week, Monday, April 13 at 5:00 pm in SMSU 229. Several regular members are unable to attend this term because of our starting time. We may alternate starting times for meetings to allow more participants. If we have half the meetings start later on Monday, will 6 or 6:30 work better for y'all?

We hired a Learning Garden Research Coordinator! We will introduce the new research coordinator next week.

Water Awareness Week - this week! April 6 - 10
Environmental Club's Take Back the Tap Campaign group is working to reduce plastic water bottle consumption on campus by selling Klean Kanteen water bottles at a subsidized price all week, raising awareness of the issues of water sustainability and the negative environmental impacts of plastic water bottles, and lastly, installing a tap water filtration system on campus. Come to the events this week to learn more on the issue!

Tuesday, Apr 7
Blind Water Taste Tests
Tables between Smith and Neuberger, 11:30am
Come watch some of PSU's highest profile staff take the blind water taste test! Can YOU taste the difference?

Wednesday, Apr 8
Portland Water Bureau Speaker
SMSU 238, 7:00pm
Come listen to Briggy Thomas, the Education Program Manager at Portland Water Bureau give a one-hour presentation on the water cycle from the perspective of a drop of water. This presentation will discuss where our water comes from in the Pacific Northwest and Bull Run in particular, and there will be a powerpoint presentation with graphics talking about climate issues, water quality issues, conservation methods, and Portland's status on ending bottled water.

Thursday, Apr 9
Water Sustainability Art Competition and Reception
SMSU 298, 6:30pm
What does water sustainability mean to you? Join in on PSU's first annual Art for Sustainability night! Contribute to the One-Hour-Creations contest- while timing yourself for one hour, create a piece of artwork (in any medium that you wish) that represents what water sustainability means to you. Bring your piece to the event for others to see! If you're not an artist, come look at others' art, join in on discussions about water sustainability, and enjoy snacks from Food for Thought! Please come, and BRING FRIENDS!

Friday, Apr 10
Movie showing of the amazing documentary FLOW
5th Avenue Cinema, 7:00pm
Following the film, there will be a presentation by Nancy Matella from Food and Water Watch!

And... all week from 10 am to 2 pm:
Also, there will be a Take Back the Tap table between Smith and Neuberger. At the table, PSU students can buy a Klean Kanteen and learn more on how to become a more conscious consumer when it comes to water.

COME VOLUNTEER AT THIS TABLE! It will be a fun and great learning experience for everyone! Email Lisa Meersman if you are interested (lisameersman@hotmail.com).

We need lots of support at all these events, so please come to any or all of them!

Earth Day Fair volunteer opportunities
The Environmental Club is hosting an Earth Day Fair on Wednesday, April 22 from 11 to 3. We have invited a ton of sustainability groups to table with us in the Park Blocks. Last year, this turned out awesome despite a little bit of rain. We're hoping to make it awesome again this year!

But we need some help with:

getting donations for a raffle! At the fair, people can enter the raffle by writing a letter to one of our legislators asking them to support a variety of environmental issues (we will provide a list of suggestions). Each letter earns two tickets. We will be providing envelopes, stamps, paper, and legislators' addresses. So we need help getting donations to encourage people to write letters. If you are interested in stopping by any of the following places and helping us obtain donations like gift certificates, bike parts, books, etc, let us know!

local breweries
restaurants
bike shops
food co-ops
bookstores, don't forget PSU's!
coffee shops
grocery stores (like the downtown Safeway or Whole Foods)

setting up a planting table! We have a bunch of seeds, egg crates & pots, and soil, so to encourage people to grow their own food, we will be having a planting table where people can make their own starters.

We need someone to be at the table helping people on Earth Day (Wednesday), Apr 22, from 11 to 3
We also need someone with a vehicle to help PJ pick up some potting soil and egg crates and transport them to the school before Earth Day.
We need help cutting up the egg crates so they're in groups of 4!
We also need some help writing, printing, & cutting instruction sheets for each type of seed

helping us create a giant poster of "individuals add up! ways to reduce your carbon footprint". The poster will be like a bar graph. On the horizontal axis, there will be a list of some things people can do to reduce their carbon footprint. On the vertical axis, there will be lines indicating how much CO2 is reduced! Above each item on the horizontal axis, we will fill in the vertical bars as people verbally commit to doing this or that. The goal is to show how little actions with a lot of people add up!

Tryon Farm Permaculture Design Course and Immersion Program
Permaculture Design Course at TLC Farm
http://tryonfarm.org/share/pdc
TLC Farm will be hosting a full 72-hour Permaculture Design Course this summer. This course will be a two-week non-residential intensive that will meet from June 23rd to July 7th, in conjunction with the Sustainable Community Immersion program. The fee for the course is $850-1000 sliding scale. Limited work trade may be available.

Summer Sustainable Communities Immersion Program
http://tryonfarm.org/share/node/683
Located at TLC Farm's unique seven-acre community farm in Portland, Oregon, this internship program will inspire dynamic leaders in the sustainability movement who will be able to use their new skills and knowledge to benefit their home communities. TLC Farm's internship program consists of two summer sessions, and each session will immerse ten interns, 18 and older, in a hands-on, holistic approach to sustainable living and community.

Invasive plants Google map
One of the members of our listserv completed a website with a map & info on all the invasive plants found on PSU's campus for her ESM class - Ecology and Management of Biological Invasions (585). It's pretty interesting. Check it out: http://psuinvasiveplants.blogspot.com/

Power Down for the Planet - sign the pledge!
We are now in week 2 of Power Down for the Planet competition!! I also hope you all have signed the pledge at http://www.powerdownfortheplanet.org/pledge!

As of now, PSU is in fourth for pledges, but schools are catching up quickly, and we are losing our lead! In an effort to increase student pledges, tabling has been set up in Parkway North from 10 to 2 for 4/8, 4/13, 4/14, 4/16, 4/17. Anybody free to table? Tabling will consist of sitting there, attempting to flag down people to sign the pledge and chatting with students/staff about energy type stuff. Two laptops have been secured with wireless access. These laptops will be set up on the table for students to quickly sign the pledge. Reply to this email (at ecpsu@pdx.edu) if you are interested in helping out. But at least sign the pledge!

Portland: 3rd least wasteful city!
Portland is America’s third-least wasteful city, according to a study.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/03/30/daily13.html

Some other excerpts:

The study found overall that 78 percent of Portland residents consider themselves to be “eco-conscious,” 88 percent plan on being more environmentally conscious in the next year and 57 percent think their city is on the right track to becoming more environmentally responsible.

Portland ranked first for using reusable containers....

San Francisco ranked No. 1 overall and Atlanta ranked last.

Flowers & leaves are appearing everywhere. Don't forget to do your homework amidst the sunshine!

First week of Spring term

2009-03-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back from Spring Break!!

The first meeting of Spring term is tomorrow, Monday, March 30 at 5:00 pm in SMSU 229. Late notice, right? In case you miss this first one, the next meeting will be Monday, April 13 at 5 pm, SMSU 229.

Awakening the Dreamer Symposium
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday, April 4
Native American Center @ PSU

Lisa Meersman, our coordinator, tells me this was the most amazing workshop she attended at Powershift, and now it's coming to the Native American Center on campus this Saturday. You have to RSVP and pay $25. If you can afford it, check it out!

Now HIRING!

2009-03-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

PSU Campus Learning Garden Research Coordinator - Apply by 4 pm Friday, April 3, 2009

The Environmental Club is working on creating a campus Learning Garden which will provide urban gardening experience to students. The Miller Grant committee will fund a temporary coordinator to help research, set up, and plan the Learning Garden. Members of the Environmental Club will contract with an undergraduate or graduate student to spend 12 hours a week for Spring term helping to research, plan, and set up the Learning Garden.

The Learning Garden will consist of plots to be used as garden-based education by classes, student groups, and campus organizations. The Learning Garden will provide hands-on experiences with urban gardening for students who may have limited access to land. Classes, such as Permaculture or Organic Gardening, may use plots in the Learning Garden to earn the "Community-Based Learning" hours they need to complete their course. The plots will give them a chance to implement what they are learning in the classroom. Additionally, the plots may be used by classes for research or horticultural and environmental science classes. Campus groups such as the Multicultural Center or Child-care centers may also use plots for growing theme-based gardens.

To apply, please provide a resume with particular emphasis on experience with garden-based education, research, and any other relevant experience. On a separate sheet (or on the back of the resume!), please include a brief explanation of why you are interested in this job. Finally, include a brief but specific list of what you would do in the first two weeks in this job if you are hired, i.e. "By Wednesday of 1st week - compile contacts, send out emails, meet with Community Garden coordinator, etc." Feel free to drop off applications in the Environmental Club mailbox next to the SALP office in the Smith Building behind the Info Desk. Emails are also fine - send them to ecpsu@pdx.edu.

Hours: 12 hr/week
Wage: $10/hr
Duration: Spring term, April 6 - June 14

Required skills or experience:
- Previous involvement with garden-based education, whether as a volunteer, organizer, or student
- Research experience
- Self-directed with the ability to prioritize and work independently
Preferred but not required:
- Previous experience updating blogs
- Previous experience or knowledge of co-op structure
Duties:
- Provide weekly reports & log of hours

Research and prepare portfolio of garden-based education programs, such as:
- PSU's Learning Gardens Laboratory
- PCC's Learning Garden
Create a customized plan to implement such a progam at PSU
Research and prepare portfolio of existing co-op structures at other schools and PSU, such as Food for Thought
- Create a customized plan to set up such a co-op at PSU
- Identify potential sources of continual funding
Research and identify key components of stable, long-lasting organizations, and prepare recommendations for a PSU program to ensure stability
- Identify existing and relevant programs at PSU and other schools exhibiting stability, such as the Community Environmental Sciences group in Urban Studies
- Identify sources of continual funding for Learning Garden and co-op
Identify and create a list of potential participants in the Learning Garden
Present findings at end of term and advise on next steps for Learning Garden program (I was thinking that this person should also attend some Environmental Club meetings throughout the term and give updates on progress...?)
Help the Environmental Club obtain land for the Learning Garden

Yahoo email users

2009-03-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

Yahoo has been blocking emails from PSU addresses, so if you have gave a Yahoo email address for the Environmental Club email list, you are probably not getting updates.

I will try emailing those with Yahoo email addresses from my personal Gmail account, which apparently has worked for some others at PSU in order to notify them of the problem if they don't see this blog. However, this is not a permanent solution nor something I want to do for every update (and who knows when Yahoo will fix it) so if you do have a Yahoo email account and would like to continue getting updates, please email ecpsu@pdx.edu with a non-yahoo account address for the listserv!

SPROG

2009-03-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

SPROG - Youth Grassroots Organizing Training
Oregon: August 16-23

The SSC's Student Environmental Leadership Trainings, are week-long peer-to-peer training programs led by the nation's top youth organizers. Develop your grassroots organizing and leadership skills, network and bond with fellow students, engage in fun activities and enjoy tasty vegetarian cooking (the low carbon diet for the climate). Not only will you come away changed, you'll have the skills and confidence to be a force for change!

See what past participants have to say.

LEARN to LEAD:

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING: How to start and run an effective youth organization. We cover everything from recruitment, to running a meeting, to developing new leaders to ensure that your organization continues once you graduate.
CAMPAIGN STRATEGY & PLANNING: How to plan, implement, and run an effective environmental campaign. We use the Sierra Club Matrix to teach the most essential skills needed to effect real change. Later in the week you'll get a change to practice your skills.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: How to define your message and get it across confidently and persuasively to the media, to fellow group members, and to the public.
GUEST SPEAKERS: Meet some amazing special guests--Sierra Club experts, leaders of the movement, and experts on various aspects of climate and energy justice.

Oregon: August 16-23
Washington State: June 21-28
Puerto Rico : June 27-July 4 (Participants must speak fluent Spanish).
New Mexico: June 28-July 5
Virginia: July 5-12
Illinois: July 6-13
Texas: July 19-26
New Hampshire: July 19-26
California: Los Angeles: July 19-26

COST: The Environmental Club will be doing a group application, which provides massive discounts, so don't apply on your own!! If you are interested, email ecpsu@pdx.edu. We'll take care of the application details.

Dead Week events

2009-03-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

There are no more general meetings this term. They will start up again next term. Next newsletter will include the new day and time. The two campaigns do have some upcoming meetings:

The Learning Garden group is meeting Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 pm in SMSU 258.

Take Back the Tap group is meeting Wednesday, March 11 and Friday, March 13 from 10:00 to 12:00 in SMSU 2nd floor lounge.

Permaculture Design Presentations
March 12th and 19th
4:00 - 6:30 pm
SMSU 338

Environmental Club members are invited to attend the final site design presentations for for graduating students of Toby Hemengway's Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Certification Course. Presentations include site designs for PSU President Wim Wiewel's home, a horse facility, the Oregon Food Bank, the Learning Gardens and a home residence.

Toby Hemenway is the author of the first major North American book on permaculture, Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, and an adjunct professor at Portland State University. He is also Scholar in Residence at Pacific University.
For more information about the course, click here.

Karen Coulter - "The Rights of Property vs. Equal Rights"
Friday, March 13, 4 - 6 pm
Food For Thought, SMSU basement

Students for Unity & Environmental Club present:
Karen Coulter, Director of Blue Mountain Biodiversity Project, lecturing on her work with POCLAD and the rights of property versus equal rights.

PSU jobs for sustainability
Check out these great opportunities and become part of PSU's sustainability team!

Sustainability & Marketing Internship
PSU Dining Services
Hours/Week: 6 - 10 (negotiable)
Salary: $9/hour
Student Marketing and Education Outreach Specialist
PSU Recycles
Wage Scale: $12.00/hour
Hours: 15/week
Job Length: Spring Term 2009-Spring Term 2010
(apply before 4:00 pm Friday, March 13th, 2009)
Student Recycler
PSU Recycles
Wage Scale: Starting at $8.55 per hour, with a $0.25 raise after 3 months and each successive working year anniversary.
(apply before 4:00 pm Friday, March 13th, 2009)

Volunteer for Sustainability
There are many ways to fulfill volunteer hours for a class, expand your resume and help make PSU more sustainable! If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact Heather Spalding at 503-725-8951 or hspaldin@pdx.edu.
Volunteer opportunities for sustainability at PSU

Volunteer Tasks

* Create promotional fliers and brochures
* Translate sustainability brochures into other languages
* Create sustainability cartoons for promotional materials
* Create sustainability-themed thank-you cards
* Compile news articles
* Write EcoWiki articles
- Interview people from around campus about sustainability issues
- Interview green teams
- Add jobs, volunteer opportunities, scholarships and internships
* Hang paper = trees stickers in bathrooms or organize a work party
* Post light switch stickers around campus or organize a work party
* Work with the Environmental Club's Take Back the Tap campaign
* Create and implement your own project!
* Data entry
* Be a PSU Recycles Crew Member by shadowing the team for a day.
* Staff the PSU office supply reuse room.
* Help out the day of an event.
* Write poems about recycling.
* Work with a PSU Recycles! staff member.
* Help coordinate one of PSU Recycles! large yearly events
- RecycleMania
- Chuck it for Charity
- PSU garage sale
- Move-out
* Hang posters on bulletin boards
* Collect recyclables put them in the correct bins.
* Distribute flyers and posters to academic departments
* Chalk the boards of classrooms, sidewalks, and lecture halls.
* Help Staff the outreach tables on campus
- Includes discussing recycling on campus
- Handing out brochures and outreach materials to raise awareness
- Engaging with the public about sustainability issues

The sky is the limit! If you have another idea, the Sustainability Office can help you raise awareness about issues not listed here.

Powershift update, next meeting today!

2009-03-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Powershift 2009!! 12,000 students, workshops, state break-out sessions, speakers, bands, and LOBBYING! 26 PSU students went to Powershift 2009 in D.C. this last weekend and learned some awesome skills, did some amazing networking, and heard some inspiring speakers. The conference started Friday and ended Monday evening. A couple PSU students stayed through the end and were able join the ranks of other Powershift attendees lobbying legislators in Congress (for all 50 states!!!), pushing for carbon caps, alternative energy, and investments in a green economy. A rally against D.C.'s coal plant was also held!

Of course, PSU students and other West Coast students had to fly across the nation to attend this amazing event. At the end of the conference, many of us pledged to do a variety of things to try to make up for the carbon footprint of this event, such as:
-"for my birthday party, I will invite all my friends and have a tree-planting party with Friends of Trees"
-"I will teach my family to recycle"
-"I came to Powershift mostly for the free ride, but now I will change my own lifestyle towards sustainability because I finally understand what environmentalists are fighting for"
-"I will work with Cascade Climate network"
We also hope that our lobbying of legislators showed them how much organizing power and passion students have. We hope that Congress members will remember this and vote more sustainably because of Powershift 2009. Apparently, conference organizers also managed to get carbon offsets for participant travel emissions by Sterling Planet and offsets for other conference-related carbon emissions through Clean Currents.

Next meeting is today, Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 pm in SMSU 258. It's "Bring your brother to an Environmental Club meeting" day.

Karen Coulter - "The Rights of Property vs. Equal Rights"
Friday, March 13, 4 - 6 pm
Food For Thought, SMSU basement

Students for Unity & Environmental Club present:
Karen Coulter, Director of Blue Mountain Biodiversity Project, lecturing on her work with POCLAD and the rights of property versus equal rights.

PSU Recycles! is hiring for two positions
The application process closes at 4:00 pm Friday, March 13th, 2009.
To learn more, see the Ecowiki

Green Empowerment's Intensive 2.5 day Technical Training
April 17th to 19th ~ 2009
SMSU 229
Electricity for Rural Areas in Developing Countries, Photovoltaics (PV), Water Pumping, Case Studies in International Sustainable Development

* Friday, 4/17: 6-9pm
o Introduction to GE and our development model; phases of a project’s development.
o Case Study on a solar water pump installation in the Philippines.
o Case Study on planning and training at a nationally sponsored conference in Ecuador for utility operators, government officials, and village leaders.
* Saturday, 4/18: 9am-5pm
o Primer on electricity (1.5hr).
o Solar electricity as source of power for rural communities (system components, hands-on measurements, and sizing/design exercises).
* Sunday, 4/19: 10am-5pm
o Solar Water Pumping (system components, sizing exercises)
o Review
o Q & A

Cost is $250 (20% discount available to PSU students) Enrollment is open now. Registration deadline is Friday, March 20th.

Contact: Jason Selwitz, Director of Service Learning: jason@greenempowerment.org
Or, please call (503) 284-5774.
Check out: www.greenempowerment.org

Other Events
Sustainability Presentations
Native American Student & Community Center @ PSU

Mar 6 - 7 Indigenous Perspectives & Practices for a Sustainable Future: Columbia River InterTribal Fish Commission; the Elahka Alliance (Ecotrust Native Program); Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Native Plant Recovery

These events are open to the public; FREE for students; $5 suggested donation
Contact Judy BlueHorse Skelton for more info about the series judyblue@pdx.edu

Summer Internship Program with Sierra Student Coalition

2009-02-23T01:55:00.000-08:00

Summer Internship Program at the Sierra Club's Oregon Chapter

Summary

The Summer Internship Program at the Sierra Club's Oregon Chapter is designed to expose high school and college students to the day-to-day operations of a premier non-profit environmental advocacy organization. Depending on a student's abilities and area(s) of interest, Sierra Club staff will work with qualified applicants to design a meaningful internship program that provides work experience and builds skills in a range of areas including community organizing, policy and advocacy, communication strategies, volunteer engagement, and organizational development.

About the Sierra Club

Named "the most influential environmental organization" in an Aspen Institute poll, the Sierra Club gives the public the information and the means to make their voices heard. As the world's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization, the Club's 750,000 members in 65 chapters and over 400 local groups nationwide possess the unique ability to empower people and influence public policy through community activism, public education, outreach and litigation.

The Sierra Club's Oregon Chapter represents the organization's 20,000 members in Oregon and has worked to protect Oregon's environment and natural resources since 1978. Today, the Sierra Club employs eight staff in Oregon who work with volunteer leaders to advance the chapter's conservation priorities. Current priority conservation efforts of the Oregon Chapter include protecting Oregon's wild forests, Protecting Oregon's high desert, stopping irresponsible liquefied natural gas pipelines and terminals, and promoting clean energy solutions.

Additionally, the Sierra Club maintains a professional presence at the state capitol and is active in efforts to influence legislative and administrative decisions that impact Oregon's environment. The Oregon Chapter also conducts a wide array of activities that engage members and the general public in efforts to explore, enjoy and protect our shared environment; including outdoor hikes, service activities, community forums, and research efforts.

AVAILABILITY: Up to 3 Summer Internship Positions
SALARY: Unpaid. In exchange for a summer of service, the Oregon Sierra Club Chapter will fund students to attend SPROG (Summer Program).*
COMMITMENT: Minimum 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks. Preference will be given to applicants committing to a 37.5 hour work week for a 10-12 week period.
DEADLINE: Rolling deadline. Applications will be reviewed beginning March 15, 2009, interviews will be conducted with selected applicants, and positions will remain open until filled.
* SPROG is a nationally-recognized week-long summer training program. Run by the Sierra Student Coalition (the student branch of the Sierra Club), SPROG offers trainings to high school and college students in an outdoor setting on grassroots organizing and leadership skills. For more information: http://www.ssc.org/trainings/

Responsibilities

The following are examples of the types of responsibilities that an intern's work might include depending on the applicants skills, experience and interests:

* Research and write, articles, letters, reports and/or fact sheets related to the Oregon Chapter's conservation priorities and advocacy work
* Assist in drafting and submitting comments to federal, state, or local agencies concerning projects and proposals that impact Oregon's environment and natural resources.
* Assist in lobbying activities and monitoring policy making at the state capitol and/or administrative bodies.
* Plan and implement public outreach events such as a press conference, public rally, or house party; engage and recruit volunteer attendance at important community meetings or public hearings.
* Draft web content, action alerts, and news releases.
* Attend SPROG

Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following traits and qualifications:

* High-energy, creative, and detail-oriented team players who are able to work independently as needed.
* Superior oral and written communications skills.
* Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to listen well.
* Self-starter. Strong initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision.
* Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks successfully.
* Computer literate: proficiency in Word, Excel, and internet search engines.
* Passion for protecting Oregon's environment and natural resources.

To Apply

Provide (1) a resume and (2) a letter of interest that describes:

1. The dates and hours of your availability during Summer 2009
2. Any deadlines you might have for securing outside funding for this internship
3. The specific aspects of the Sierra Club's conservation work that interest you
4. Why you believe a Sierra Club internship would help you grow both personally and professionally

Materials can be sent to brian.pasko@sierraclub.org or mailed to:

Brian Pasko, Director
Sierra Club Oregon Chapter
1821 SE Ankeny Street
Portland, Oregon 97214

No telephone calls, please.

Rainy week bowling update

2009-02-23T01:54:00.001-08:00

We went bowling at the last meeting. Jealous? It was awesome, and I scored terribly. Next meeting is March 5 at 6:30 pm in SMSU 258. Thursday is "Bring your brother to an Environmental Club meeting" day.

If you recently got an email that said you've been unsubscribed to e-club lists and you didn't intentionally do os, don't worry about it. I've been experimenting with the listserv, but you are all still on the email list! And again, if you don't want to be, just email me and let me know.

Recylemania 2009 - looking for volunteers, 20 minutes or 20 hours, everything helps!
PSU Recycles! is in full swing of RecycleMania 2009 and is looking for volunteers to help move PSU to the top of the rankings. RecycleMania is a friendly 10 week competition among more than 500 schools.

List of different volunteer oppurtunities:
-Chalk the boards of as many classrooms, sidewalks, and lecture halls as possible. (What to write is in attached document)
-Hang posters on as many bulletin boards as possible
-Collect recyclables you see lying around and put them in the correct bins.
-Distribute flyers and posters to academic departments
-Help Staff the outreach tables on campus
-Help out the day of an event.

If you are interested you can send an email to jcousins@pdx.edu

Green Empowerment's Intensive 2.5 day Technical Training
April 17th to 19th ~ 2009
SMSU 229
Electricity for Rural Areas in Developing Countries, Photovoltaics (PV), Water Pumping, Case Studies in International Sustainable Development

* Friday, 4/17: 6-9pm
o Introduction to GE and our development model; phases of a project’s development.
o Case Study on a solar water pump installation in the Philippines.
o Case Study on planning and training at a nationally sponsored conference in Ecuador for utility operators, government officials, and village leaders.
* Saturday, 4/18: 9am-5pm
o Primer on electricity (1.5hr).
o Solar electricity as source of power for rural communities (system components, hands-on measurements, and sizing/design exercises).
* Sunday, 4/19: 10am-5pm
o Solar Water Pumping (system components, sizing exercises)
o Review
o Q & A

Cost is $250 (20% discount available to PSU students) Enrollment is open now. Registration deadline is Friday, March 20th.

Contact: Jason Selwitz, Director of Service Learning: jason@greenempowerment.org
Or, please call (503) 284-5774.
Check out: www.greenempowerment.org

Feb 5 Meeting notes

2009-02-06T01:37:00.001-08:00

Env Club meeting in rm 258

Thursday, Feb 5, 2009

6:30 pm

Present: Laura, Heather, Honore, Asami, Scott, Miranda, Jessi, Michelle, Becca, Lisa, Brendan, Blake, PJ, Andy, Elysabeth

Assistant coordinators - email & involve
1. Andy
2. Laura
3. Elysabeth
4. Miranda - wants to set up Karen Coulter & movie night (Scott will help)
Project updates;
1. Take back the tap
  1. $6000 to purchase waterbottles from Kleen Kanteen, to sell, then take money back
  2. waterbottles, sell at:
    1. Food for Thought
    2. events
    3. Water Awareness Week
  3. 500 surveys - why students drink from bottled water
    1. impure water = #1 reason
  4. Water Awareness Week
  5. Use water bottle sales to reinvest in water bottle refiller stations
  6. Goal: 15% reduction in bottled water sales by June
  7. Proposal at Idea Generator:masked for $8000
    1. but the money will be earned back - and then used for water filtration system
2. Learning Garden
  1. Goal: plots for classes & groups
  2. Proposal @ Idea Generator: asked for $2500 for supplies & co-op coordinator until June
  3. land space - near Research Greenhouses
    1. may be conflict
    2. need secondary options
  4. continuity needs to be worked on
    1. co-op - how to set one up
  5. Idea Generator notes:
    1. Wiewel wants one
    2. collaborating with Container Gardening
    3. Garden co-op can be used for : resources & tool rental
  6. So I need help
    1. distinguish between community garden & Learning Garden
  7. PCC - Rock Creek has nice Leraning Garden (Asami)
3. Earth Day Event
  1. Earth Fair - got list of interested people in forming Earth Day committee to plan it
    1. music
    2. sell water bottles
    3. sustainability related groups
    4. advertise for other events
    5. tie together all events Earth Day week
    6. Lacey Riddle = important contact
    7. Cycling Club - fixed gear tricks!
    8. frisbee competition
    9. speakers
      1. Kevin Tuerneff: share stories of going to UN Climate Convergence
        
        ask fee again
4. Karen Coulter - Miranda is arranging this
6. Brendan: - Green fee
7. Split into groups

2009-02-01T23:53:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting will be Feb 5 at 6:30 pm. And I don't have a room yet. I'll email you, I promise. I'll know in 2 days!

Other Events

RecycleMania
Welcome to week three of RecycleMania! This week, PSU Recycles! focuses on Energy Awareness. As PSU continues to save energy and money through the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, a question continues to pop up... what to do with CFLs after they have burnt out? Imagine a campus where all CFLs are recycled properly?

If a CFL burns out in your office or residence hall room, request a waste pickup by completing a work order request at www.fac.pdx.edu/workorder/index.html. If you have any questions or need supplies, please call the campus waste lab at 503-725-3403.

PSU Recycles! will be tabling in Parkway North this week. Stop by and keep your eyes and ears open for more recycling opportunities during this exciting ten week competition, and check in with www.ecowiki.pdx.edu for PSU's stats, rankings, and recycling information! Go Viks!

last week of Jan update. New coordinator!

2009-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

We have a new coordinator - Lisa Meersman is now our third coordinator. Congratulations! The position was filled by consensus at last week's meeting. A couple members expressed interest in being assistant coordinators. Soon, oh so very soon.

Our next meeting will be Feb 5 at 6:30 pm

Other Events

Look Up and See Green:
Eco-roof on the Urban Plaza! Go to 4th floor and check it out! Interested in helping maintain it and learn about eco-roofs?
Contact Derek at dereka@pdx.edu

Karen Coulter
Karen speaks on a variety of projects. Currently, she resides in Eastern Oregon, monitoring timber sales. She can speak on forest sales and laws, biological and medicinal characteristics of plants, deep ecology, or nonviolent direct action. Interested in any of these?

Sustainability Presentations
Feb 6-7, Feb 20-21, Mar 6-7
Native American Student & Community Center @ PSU

Feb 6 - 7 Local/Sustainable Food Systems: Kristy Obbink (PPS Nutrition Services - Farm to Schools – “Eat, Think, Grow); Portland Farmers Markets; Farmers; Growing Gardens

Feb 20 - 21 Sustainable Cities & Community Governance : Reps from Metro, Coalition for a Livable Future, City of Portland Office for Sustainable Development

Mar 6 - 7 Indigenous Perspectives & Practices for a Sustainable Future: Columbia River InterTribal Fish Commission; the Elahka Alliance (Ecotrust Native Program); Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Native Plant Recovery

These events are open to the public; FREE for students; $5 suggested donation
Contact Judy BlueHorse Skelton for more info about the series judyblue@pdx.edu

week of MLK day

2009-01-20T23:27:00.000-08:00

Next meeting is Thursday, Jan 22 at 6:30 pm in Smith 229. If you're feeling generous, bring raisins. Or something edible. I, PJ, like raisins, but I understand not everybody feels fondly about raisins, so I will bring something different.

Coordinator decision, this next meeting, Jan 22

We now have 3 members interested in being the third coordinator, and 1 member interested in acting as an assistant coordinator. I am listing the most recent nominee plus re-listing the others. Hopefully, we'll be able to make this decision in one meeting. Remember, everyone must agree to successfully elect someone.

In addition to the coordinator nominees in the previous blog entry, we have one more -

Lisa:

Hello fellow Environmental Club members!

My name is Lisa, and I am a freshman here at PSU.

I am motivated by positive interactions.

I first came across Environmental Club last July, when I circled around the ballroom in Smith Center, collecting information from various clubs that were representing themselves to all the incoming freshman at orientation. When I approached the Environmental Club booth, I specifically remember the kindness and enthusiasm that Becca and Heather welcomed me with, and while joining environmental club was already in my plans, my interaction with the two of them made me even more excited about attending PSU and getting involved in the club.

The welcoming first impressions of the Environmental Club that I experienced last summer have remained true throughout my first year at PSU. I appreciate the friendliness and openness that I have come across with each member that I have met. It is inspiring to be around, and collaborate with people that are all passionate and dedicated to promoting positive environmental change in our community.

By taking the role as one of the coordinators in this club, I hope to carry out and strengthen the positive community that the existing coordinators have already put in place. I believe that through a strong core community of environmentalists and an optimistic approach toward every project, person, or group that we encounter, we will be able to accomplish any goal that we set for ourselves.

As for time commitment, I cannot say that I have an extremely flexible schedule, however, I am willing to give any time that I have to Environmental Club. I work sixteen hours a week in the Architecture Department, but I am free every evening and weekend (except for Wednesdays), and I am also available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Although I am fairly busy, I work best when I am involved and busy with projects that I am passionate about, so I feel that you can count on me to be a dependable coordinator!

I do not have an abundance of experience in organizing, although I have really enjoyed the few things I have organized in the past. Last May, I put together a “Ride Your Bike to School Day” at my high school, and talked with local businesses to donate items such as organic seeds for me to hand out to bikers. In addition, as a senior project in my high school, I facilitated the development of an annual student exchange between my school and a school in China. I raised money to get the program started, and went to China to meet with school administrators.

While PSU is one of the most environmentally-conscious schools in the nation, it still has a long way to go. My hope is that since I am still very new to PSU, I will have a lot of time to work with the Environmental Club to make changes toward environmental awareness and sustainability in our community.

Thank you to all of you!

Welcome back from Winter Break!

2009-01-14T00:21:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting is Thursday, Jan 22 at 6:30 pm. The location will be announced soon. Regular meetings will probably be held every other Thursday at 6:30 pm, though we may alternate meeting days this term if the time slot doesn't work for some people. Does Thursday work for you?

Open coordinator position
To be decided at this next meeting on Jan 22!

We have 2 members - Caitlin and Miranda - interested in being the third coordinator, and 1 member - Hanna - interested in acting as an assistant coordinator. If there are any last minute nominations, send me your info or bring it up at the meeting. The decision of who will serve as the third coordinator and approval of assistant coordinator/s will be made with consensus (everybody must agree, or at least, nobody must disagree - a person can abstain).

Powershift 2009
Fri, Feb 27 - Mon, Mar 2
Washington D.C.
Power Shift 2009 is the second national youth summit to solve the climate crisis. Join 10,000 other young in Washington DC to demand bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action from our new Congress and President. Young people have the political power. Now we need to use it! Help us demand a better future, with more investment in a new green economy, a shift from dirty power to clean renewable sources, and a national climate plan that gets us back on track.

Deadline: Jan 21 to register people at reduced rate. Funding may be available to help with airfare.

Facebook events page - http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=108737550356

Winter break

2008-12-24T18:26:00.001-08:00

Both Environmental Club coordinators will be out of country until Jan 7 and Jan 12. We will start up again in the second week hopefully! Emails will be sent out at end of first week.

Have a good winter break.

12.3.08 Meeting notes

2008-12-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

12.3.08 Meeting notes!

Post-Thanksgiving update

2008-12-02T02:48:00.000-08:00

Hope everybody's Thanksgiving break was relaxing. Since it's the end of the term and a lot of us are overwhelmed with finals, we're putting off the coordinator selection until next term. See below for more information on what to do if interested in the coordinator position.

We need to decide what nights to have general meetings next term. Please email me and let me know which of these times works for you:
Monday after 6:15 pm
Tuesday after 7 pm
Wednesday after 6:15 pm
Thursday after 4:15 pm

Upcoming events:

Next meeting:
This Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008 @ 5:45 - 7:15
Smith rm 328
Bring your own food or to share!
Relaxed meeting... discuss the campaigns a little bit but the meeting will be short so we can keep studying for finals.

Other announcements:

Open coordinator position
The position is paid, and the expectations are listed on our website blog.

WE ARE DELAYING THE SELECTION UNTIL THE 2ND WEEK OF NEXT TERM (when our first winter term general meeting is), so the nomination process is open until then. At that time, we'll decide!

At the last meeting, members mentioned some things they would like to know about potential coordinators, so if you are interested in the coordinator position, send me an email with the following:
-what inspires and motivates you
-previous organizing experience (don't worry if you don't have any)
-how much time you can commit to the club, how busy your schedule is Winter term and Spring term
-social skills that you feel will help you in this job
-what area of Portland do you live in? And what is your mode of transportation?

Those who are interested can attend the first coordinator meeting at the beginning of Winter term to get a glimpse of what the planning entails. More information when we know the date, time, & location.

National Global Warming Teach In
Thursday, February 5, 2009

Anybody interested in being involved?

Here is an easy way to impact events in Washington, DC, and overcome business-as-usual politics. Just reply to this e-mail, and I'll let the national organizers know that we would like to invite our Congress member to engage with us in a round-table dialogue next February 5th as part of the National Teach-In.

A national group did this last year apparently. They set up a bank of computers in the capitol that will allow political leaders to sit down at a laptop and have a dialogue with a campus audience back in their district. They invite them to participate on our behalf. If they say no, then, no further work on our part. But the invite still gets climate on their radar.

The Green Scare: What it is and how to fight back
Winter term, TBA

Corporations and politicians consider modern environmental and animal liberation activists America's # 1 terrorist threat. Their hype, termed the "Green Scare" by many, is focused in suppressing all nonviolent direct action and chilling radical activism. This workshop will describe methods in recognizing tactics of the "Green Scare," and will demonstrate combative tactics of security culture while fighting back with knowledge and solidarity. Presented by Steph and Tim from Animal Defense League (Activists involved with Portland Animal Defense League, Cascadia Earth First!, and Cascadia Rising Tide)

Should the Environmental Club consider co-sponsoring this?

Green Empowerment

2008-11-19T23:28:00.001-08:00

Article by Jazmin Ogle, one of my teammates for Green Empowerment
November 12, 2008

Green Empowerment sounds like it could be Portland's premier green revolution yoga "joint", a new stationary store specializing in recycled paper, or a second hand clothing shop on the corner of Main and 6th... but it's not. Green Empowerment is a narrow office with large green logos and even larger windows. Understated though it may be, the work they do is far from small. Green Empowerment is a not-for-profit organization located in our own downtown Portland. Green Empowerment partners with rural communities in the developing world to implement renewable energy and water systems that alleviate poverty and preserve the environment. Although they may be small, they are mighty!

Green Empowerment’s mission is what first attracted me to the organization. I am your average PSU senior studying international studies with focuses in development studies and the Latin America region, who wanted to do more. Dr. John Rueter, PSU Environmental Sciences, tracked me down for a very intriguing project; he needed an international development studies perspective on a very small, intimate study team traveling with Green Empowerment to remote villages in Nicaragua. As you can imagine, I jumped on the opportunity.

And what a unique opportunity. Our team will apply what we learn on our study tour towards a business model or innovative project which we will, in turn, apply towards Green Empowerment’s development work in the region. This project is funded by a generous grant from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) which will not only enable us hard working students to gain academic credit but to also fly us to the region for next to nothing.

One of the great and unique things about this trip is the involvement of senior capstone students. I am in the unique position to double dip in both aspects of this trip; I am part of both the small study team as well as part of the capstone group. This capstone group will be responsible for writing a grant which will fund development projects.

These two groups will come together with professor Dr. John Rueter, ESR, and Jason Selwitz, Green Empowerment’s Director of Service Learning, for a study tour/service project trip to several villages in Nicaragua. During our trip, we will learn about and visit recently installed water systems, meet with community members, build solar cookers and improved cook stoves, help install a wind turbine demonstration and solar panels, as well as celebrate with the families of a community who will have electricity for the first time.

Having never seriously stepped outside of a social science academic bubble, I find myself suddenly surrounded by engineers, environmental science and business students. Our academic backgrounds, expertise and perspectives on development are varied but we are coming together with guidance from Green Empowerment to address development issues through sustainable renewable energy systems. Green Empowerment is our beginning so that we may empower ourselves, our international partners and our global community.

And now I empower you, dear reader, to join us in making our world a better place. If you are a PSU student interested in renewable energy systems, travel or innovative thinking, join us! NCIIA is a two year grant. This means that you can continue our work in 2009-2010! Spots on both the NCIIA study team and the Capstone team could be yours. If you are interested, touch base with Dr. Reuter in the Environmental Science Dept.

If you can't join us abroad but would like to help out, check out Willamette Weekly instead. Now on the internet and on a newsstand near you, it’s the Willamette Week Give Guide 2008. And guess who is in it for the first time among 55 select organizations? Green Empowerment! This means that you can donate online to Green Empowerment via the Give Guide website from November 12th through December 31st.

In recognition of your donation, the Willamette Week will send you a little something special in thanks. For just $25 dollars you can, not only help support Green Empowerment and our work in Nicaragua, but also receive a couple of TriMet bus tickets, a coupon for a loaf of Dave’s Killer Bread, a coffee drink at Peet’s, two scoops from Staccato Gelato, a stash tea bag, and a coupon good for a discount at Trebol restaurant. All that for your donation! That's less than making a donation to support Green Peace canvassers on campus. And you get gifts. As a college student, I know that it can be hard to give out hard-earned money, but the first $2,500 in donations to Green Empowerment will be matched! That means your contribution will have the biggest impact on the communities they reach. So think, if you cannot be there with us in person, be with us in spirit as we reach out to families in need.

For more information I encourage you to explore:

Willamette Weekly’s Give Guide 2008: https://www.giveguide.oaktree.com/
Green Empowerment: www.greenempowerment.org

Re-Energize the Northwest Notes

2008-11-17T17:44:00.001-08:00

Heather's notes from Re-Energize the Northwest Summit Nov 14 - 16 in Seattle!

Online Organizing
You can embed maps in any site (see the contacts area of CCN site)
Student Sustainability Initiative at OSU has a google site
citizenspeak.org - create a campaign
ipetitions.com - $40 for a custom petition or free for a simple one
uncoverintelsecrets.blogspot.com

Working with Volunteers
Operation Green Beaver

Components of Delegation
1) tasks - are they meaningful? Let peole start their own projects but connect to a common vision
    Give titles to the individual tasks
2) Timing - set deadlines for things to be done. How consequential is it? How important to the person?
3) Measures - how to quantify the task so people know what's expected of them

3 Components of Commitment
    1) Recognition
    2) accountability
    3) Feedback

Jefferson Smith has called our generation the "Coalition of the Irrationally Benevolent"

Volunteers who come to help should get almost as much recognition as the organizers. Step back and allow them to get it.

Set up a structure of group accountability rather than having just one person blaming.

Check in during the process to make sure they know what's going on

Enabling conditions - structure, coaching/mentoring, context

Making a career out of social change
Switch off between working a higher paying position and volunteer-type work
become a "development director" and have side schools to offer organizations

Create green teams and terminology in job descriptions
Make sust. related terminology part of organization objectives
Do informaitonal interviews - just ask if you can come and hang out with the staff and tell them about yourself without a specific position in mind. If they don't want to, you probably don't want to work there anyway.
Require that you receive 3 weeks of vacation a year if you're in activism type stuff - because you're going to work more than 9-5

Equity in elementary education at rural and tribal schools
Alternative Spring break at UW
research state science standards
Pea Patch gardens
Read Last Child in the Woods
Hanna wants to teach outdoor education with kids
Send Kristiane the Story of Stuff
What are the mandatory minimums for environmental education in Oregon.
Look at the Multnomah educational service district (MESD)
James John Elementary School needs volunteers for projects.

LNG
nolng.net
longpollutes.org
Contact Dan Serres (503) 890-2441 or dserres@gmail.com
LNG working groups are needed on college campuses (would someone at PSU like to start this like Scott?)
January 13th - rally for renewable energy/no LNG
Eddie said Zach will organize a group to go to Salem

Coordinator position open

2008-11-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

A coordinator position has opened up for the Environmental Club! Heather has decided to commit more time to her position in the Sustainability Office and as an ASPSU senator. We'll miss her - she'll still be involved, just not as a coordinator. Join Becca & PJ as a coordinator! If you are interested or you know someone else that you think would be good, email ecpsu@pdx.edu with your nomination (you can nominate yourself). The nomination process is open for 2 weeks. The position is paid, and the expectations are as follows. If you have questions, feel free to email us at the previous address. We will be discussing this at the next meeting Wedn, Nov 19, 5:45 pm, Smith 327.

Tasks automatically assigned to all coordinators:

Organize 2 events above and beyond the default tasks per term (this may change to 1 event). For each event:
- Email person responsible for webmail event info for weekly update 24 hours before newsletter is sent on Sunday
- Maintain contact with those involved
- Fill out necessary forms, expenditure forms, room requests, etc.
- Turn in receipts within 48 hours after events to SALP office
- Advertise to the public/members
Attend 80% or more of officer & general meetings
- Excused absences will not count against the 80% only if approved by the other coordinators
- Excused absences must be called in 8 hours ahead of time to the other two coordinators
- Over 15 minutes late to a meeting will be considered an unexcused absence
Maintain a Google account
Send new member info to coordinator in charge of membership list
Give budget bookkeeper copies of receipts and/or expend requests
Input budget transactions to Google doc “Env Club official budget”

Tasks to rotate amongst the coordinators:

Plan and facilitate general meetings. Additionally:
- Advertise (includes display case)
- Prepare agenda
- Maintain sign up sheet
Notetaker and timekeeper in general meetings. Must post meeting minutes to Google documents. Must not be the same person as facilitator.
Plan and facilitate coordinator meetings. Additionally:
- Prepare agenda
Notetaker and timekeeper in officer meetings. Must post meeting minutes to Google documents. Must not be the same person as facilitator.

Specifically for Heather's position:

Possibly plan and facilitate Native Garden and work parties - ideally will be transferred to a Native Garden assistant
Maintain contact with sustainability director - Heather or Noelle
SALP liaison
- Maintain communication with SALP advisor
- Keep up on SALP updates and deadlines
- Does not include filling out paperwork for other coordinators’ events
Reserve & maintain display cases
Maintain Facebook page & website blog

Expectations of all coordinators:

Attendance policy as described above must be met
Respond to emails & Google doc requests within reasonable time (preferably 48 hours)
Organize 2 events each term (this may change to 1 event)
Complete to-do list created at each officers’ meeting within chosen timeframe (include with minutes for reference)

Re-energize Northwest Summit and volunteer opportunities

2008-11-13T01:08:00.001-08:00

Environmental Club members and supporters,
Is everybody surviving the rain and midterms? Our last meeting went well - if you missed it, here's a quick update! We settled on two issues to focus on:
-acquiring land on campus for a collective garden for students, with the long term goal of increasing garden access for students
-an expanded free store, possibly including book trades

If you're interested in being more involved in one of these, let me know, and I'll send you the notes from our last meeting! Also, if you're interested in working on something else, email me and we can bring it up at the next meeting.

Upcoming Events:
No Environmental Club meeting this Wednesday.
Next meeting is the following Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:45 pm Smith rm 327

Re-energize the Northwest Summit
Friday evening, Nov 14 thru Sunday afternoon, Nov 16
Several members will be attending a Youth Climate Summit at the University of Washington where they will meet young people from across Washington and Oregon who are working to solve the climate crisis.

Workshops, trainings, discussion and planning sessions will all be offered on issues ranging from a fossil fuel free Northwest to campus community gardens.The summit is free and open to high school and college students and youth in general. Attendees will also learn how to effectively take part in the political world with briefings on important environmental legislation and lobby training.

The summit is sponsored by the Sierra Student Coalition (SSC) and the Sierra Club and hosted by the Cascade Climate Network.

Residence Hall Waste Sorts - call for help!
Volunteers needed for residence hall waste sorts! This is your chance for a hands-on experience examining PSU’s waste stream while contributing valuable help to the PSU Sustainability Department. As we prepare for Recyclemania 2009, these waste audits will provide a baseline for pitting dorms against each other in competitions to see who can best minimize their waste.

Taking Back the Tap: Why You Should Quit Your Bottled Water Habit
Did you know that PSU is ranked #1 in consumption of bottled water in the state of Oregon? We need to work to stop buying so much bottled water. Consider buying a reusable container if you don’t already have one. The PSU Bookstore sells reusable bottles in all kinds of stylish colors and designs. If you’d like to be involved in the Take Back the Tap Campaign to end bottled water consumption at PSU contact Liz at this email address: esimmons@pdx.edu

Visit the Take Back the Tap website for more information: http://takebackthetap.org

Other things:
Check out the Ecowiki for sustainability-related events, discussions, and news for campus, our community, and the nation.

Your Burger or Your Car?

2008-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder about Mia MacDonald coming to discuss the environment and our diets! Please be there to learn about the effects of the animal production industry on the global level Come no matter what you eat!

Which is more destructive to the environment—what you eat or what you drive? The answer may surprise you. International public policy expert Mia MacDonald, executive director of New York-based “action tank” Brighter Green, provides fascinating and compelling evidence on how animal agriculture is at the root of a host of environmental problems, including deforestation in the Amazon, desertification, and climate change. At the same time, meat consumption is soaring as McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King and huge “protein producers” like Tyson and Cargill expand into markets in Asia and Latin America. It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Just as we can develop alternatives to fossil fuels, we can also change our agricultural practices and eating habits. It all comes down to recognizing the true costs of our lifestyles and adjusting policies and practices accordingly.

When: Friday, May 9, 2008
Time: 1:30PM to 2:45PM
Where: SMSU 229

Robert Swan - Order of the British Empire

2008-03-27T20:33:00.000-07:00

When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Where: Portland State University - Smith 327-329 (joined rooms)
Time: 2:00PM - 3:30PM

Robert Swan will discuss his travels, the future of energy, the 2012 World Summit, and his mission to extend the moratorium on excavation and drilling in Antarctica past the current limit of 2041. Robert will be traveling to most of the world's major cities for the next four years to inspire students to effect change in their communities and the world.

Among his many accomplishments, Robert is the only person in history to have walked to both the North and South poles. He is reputed to be a very inspiring, lively speaker. His team has removed 1,500 tons of waste from and set up the first wireless research base in Antarctica. Each of the group's projects are powered by clean energy.

More information can be found at 2041 and Wikipedia. You can also view and download Robert Swan's "The Journey So Far" PDF document HERE.

This event is co-sponsored by ASPSU.

AEG Brown Bag Presentation

2008-02-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

The Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists' Student Chapter presents:

Grounding Line Forensics The Movie (and some science) by Dr. Christina Hulbe of the Department of Geology, Portland State University.

When: Wednesday March 5th, 2008 11:30-12:30
Where: Cramer Hall rm. S17
Time: 11:30AM - 12:30PM

Dr. Hulbe will tell us about her most recent trip to Antarctica, the work she conducted, and show us a movie!

Visit the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists or email aegeol@pdx.edu for more information.

Movie Night at The Green House

2008-02-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

The Power of Myth: The Message of Myth

When: Thursday, February 21st, 2008
Where: The Green House Collective - 4407 SE Tibbetts St. (close to the 74, 14, and 9 bus lines and the Clinton St. super bikeway!)
Time: Vegan Potluck at 6:00PM, film & discussion at 7:00PM

Contact Jake at jacobmcohen@gmail.com if you would like more information.

Native Garden - Preparing to Plant!

2008-02-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

When: Friday, February 22nd and Tuesday, February 26th
Where: Portland State University - In front of Science Building 2 (across the street from Starbucks at the corner of 10th and Montgomery)
Time: 12:30PM - 1:30PM on both days

We're still doing some touch-ups on the garden before putting in our order for plants. We'll be putting up name tags, planning our garden sign, taking pictures, and weeding. Stop by to chat or help anytime between those times. See you there!

Brown Bag Speaker Series

2008-02-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

"Diversifying Environmentalism: The Environmental Movement's Greatest Challenge?"

Speaker: Marcelo Bonta, founder of the Young Environmental Professionals of Color and Director for the Center for Diversity & the Environment.

When: Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
Where: Portland State University - Urban Studies Building, Second Floor Gallery
Time: 12PM - 1PM

Description:
As the nation continues to diversify, the environmental movement is left with one of the greatest challenges it will face this century. In order to become an influential and sustainable movement for generations to come, it needs to successfully address its diversity crisis. Currently, nearly one-third of the US population can be classified as people of color, but barely 11% of the staff of natural resource organizations fit in this category. Marcelo Bonta will share his thoughts on how to address this issue in a comprehensive, action-oriented way.

PSU Bike Advocacy Meeting

2008-02-21T12:38:00.000-08:00

When: Thursday, February 21st, 2008
Where: Hotlips (corner of SW 6th and Hall).
Time: 7:00PM

To be discussed:
1. Does TriMet have something against Bikes? Why did they remove a bunch of bike parking from their plans? We'll look at a construction map and formulate a plan of action to represent bikers' interests.

2. Leadership nominations open now! Elections on Thursday!

3. We'll hear from the various teams like Parking, Safety & Security, Outreach, and Housing about what they're working on and what they need help with.

4. We'll discuss starting a Bike Buddy system and other joint social marketing opportunities with the Transportation office.

You can sign up for the PSU Bike Advocacy Committee's Google group HERE or contact Peter WelteCat weltepe@gmail.com.

Women's Resource Center - How to make it green?

2008-02-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Women's Resource Center is looking for ideas on how to make its office more sustainable, and they thought our club members would be a good place to find feedback. If you have any ideas or want to see their newly remodeled office, please visit their posh space in the Montgomery Building (behind the alumni house) anytime.

You can also send ideas to their sustainability coordinator, Blythe Pavlik at bpavlik@pdx.edu.

Club Meeting (informal discussion)

2008-02-13T20:59:00.000-08:00

When: Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
Where: Food For Thought Cafe
Time: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Chat about club happenings, brainstorm event ideas, and meet like-minded folks. If you have plant ideas for the native garden, please let us know at the meeting or by email. Just look for the "Environmental Club" table sign.

Volunteer Opportunity: Learning Gardens

2008-02-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are needed to help out the The Learning Gardens Laboratory, a partnership between PSU and Portland Public Schools. One of the goals is to include a greenhouse and 13 acres of gardens and orchards into the curriculum of neighboring schools.

If any Environmental Club members want a chance to experience and learn about gardening, the greenhouse or sustainable farming is a great opportunity. Please contact Hans Albing at (360) 798-4401 or email hans@pdx.edu.