We're back with weekly editions of the Bulletin, filled with upcoming meetings, events, announcements, and news from WCU's Office of Sustainability. Here's to a great Spring 2022 semester, Golden Rams!
Spring 2022 Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar
Make room in your calendar this semester for the Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar Series, set to return on Wednesday, February 2nd and continuing every Wednesday from 12pm to 12:50pm for the remainder of the semester. The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar is an opportunity to hear from researchers and practitioners like you, integrating the concepts of sustainability across a wide variety of disciplines and departments. Next week we'll be posting the speaker schedule for Spring 2022, so be sure to check next week's edition and highlight the speakers you don't want to miss.
Interested in browsing presentations from previous semesters? The Digital Commons for Sustainability Research and Creative Activities at WCU houses a collection of recordings available to you 24/7.
The Office of Sustainability celebrates West Chester University's continued partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics! This partnership is organized by WCU's Outdoor Adventure Pursuits program, led by the Associate Director for Experiential and Adventure Education, Steve Sassaman. The Outdoor Adventure Pursuits program helps educate and equip student leaders through a broad range of outdoor experiences and excursions offered each semester. A big part of that education is outdoor ethics. With such clear implications on environmental sustainability, it's no wonder we're cheering!
You can find a list of upcoming trips and more through the link to the Outdoor Adventure Pursuits webpage below.
The Post-Landfill Action Network hosts its annual Plastic Free Campus Action Camp this February 7th through March 3rd, 2022. The camp is designed for current students who'd like to see their campus go plastic free. Over a series of weeks, you'll engage with knowledgeable staff committed to helping you design and implement a campaign specific to your university campus.
The Office of Sustainability is looking to support several WCU students' participation in the camp by providing the cost of registration and any support needed to kick start their campaign on campus. If you're interested, please contact sustainability@wcupa.edu. Details on the Plastic Free Campus Action Camp can be found on the PLAN website by clicking the link below.
For this week's Spotted in the GNA feature, we have two examples of lichen species that are revealed as fluorescent under UV light, the Jack O'Lantern or Mustard Lichen (Pyxine subcinerea) on the left, and an unidentified species of Parmeliaceae on the right. Notice the different colors visible in these two distinct species. Not all fluorescence appears the same! While the colors differ across species, both the yellow and blue that you see show the same positive reaction to UV light. It's these positive reactions that provide protection for the lichen from UV rays, acting essentially as sunscreen. The purple area in the photo on the right is an example of a negative reaction to UV light.
Remember, you can find a whole host of images and information about the hundreds of species found in the Gordon Natural Area by accessing the GNA'sBiotapage.
Upcoming Meetings
SC Zero Waste Committee Meeting
The Sustainability Council (SC) Zero Waste Committee will hold its first meeting of the Spring 2022 semester this Friday, January 28th from 1:30pm to 2:30pm via Zoom. Those interested in joining and getting involved can contact Committee Chair,Professor Gretchen Studlien-Webb.
SC Campus Tree Committee Meeting
The Sustainability Council (SC) Campus Tree Committee will meet for the first time this semester on Monday, January 31st from 1pm to 2pm via Zoom. Those interested in attending the meeting and becoming a member can email Committee Chair,Professor Rodney Mader, for the link to join.
Sustainability Council Meeting
The Sustainability Council will meet, kicking off the Spring 2022 semester, on Friday, February 4th,from 1:30pm to 3:00pm on Zoom. Any student, faculty, or staff member is invited to join, learn more, and get involved. New members are always welcome! Please email Council Chair,Professor Aliza Richman, for the meeting link.
Exciting Opportunities
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance Watershed Conservation Internship The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance is accepting applications for a Watershed Conservation Internship now through February 5th. This is a 10 week, 24 hour per week paid position. The intern will be working on important watershed conservation efforts such as the restoration of riparian buffers and creek clean-ups, as well as web-based and data related tasks. Those interested in learning more can find the full job description below.
Student Partner for West Chester Green Team The WCU Center for Community Solutions and the West Chester Green Team have an opening for a student partner to aid and contribute to West Chester Green Team efforts over the course of the Spring 2022 semester. The West Chester Green Team is a local environmental advocacy organization based in the borough of West Chester. Applicants should have prior experience with sustainability, research-based writing, social media, and gardening. This is a paid position. Details can be found on Handshake through the link below.
2022-23 Fair Trade Campaigns Fellowship
Fair Trade Campaigns is hiring regional fellows to support their work growing the Fair Trade Movement over the course of the next year, beginning April 2022 and continuing through May of 2023. Applications are being accepted through January 31st (newly extended deadline) for those interested. You can learn more about the position and application process by following the link below.
Tree Planting Coordinator
The Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association is seeking a Tree Planting Coordinator to work on riparian buffer restoration by orchestrating the purchase, installation, and care of trees in the watershed region. This is a part time position and requires prior experience working with trees and tree planting. More information on the position and application process can be found on the CRC Watersheds Association website.
We'd love to help you spread the word! If you would like to have an announcement included in the weekly Office of Sustainability Bulletin, please send the details to sustainability@wcupa.eduby 8am Monday, the week it should go out.
Office of Sustainability, West Chester University
114 W Rosedale Ave, West Chester, PA 19382
610-436-2736 sustainability@wcupa.edu
