Earth Week is just two weeks away! Stay tuned for an exciting schedule of events in next week's Bulletin. Here's the latest in news, events, and announcements from WCU's Office of Sustainability!
WCU Students Advocate for a Hunger Free Campus
Last week, a group of West Chester University students and faculty members joined Swipe Out Hunger and other concerned individuals from across the state in a rally at the Capitol in Harrisburg in support of the Hunger Free Campus Act. Here you see them posing with PA State Senator Carolyn Comitta. Other noteworthy participants at the Lobby Day included First Lady Frances Wolf, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, and Representative Jennifer O’Mara. We're so very proud of our students for leading the way in advocating for a more equitable and accessible system of higher education. For the full story, follow the link below to the press release.
WCU staff members, registration is now open for the next Brandywine Project Staff Sustainability Workshop being held on Wednesday, April 20th from 8am to 12pm (Earth Week)! This is a great opportunity to take a half day to network with colleagues across campus, learn about important sustainability issues and ongoing work, collaborate on solutions, and invest in yourself (not to mention the free food). ;-)
The workshop will begin in the Philips Autograph Library with a light breakfast, and later transition to a tented outdoor space for deeper dives and small, breakout group discussion. The workshop will conclude with a vegetarian boxed lunch that you can enjoy on site or take with you. We hope you'll join us!
One recipe contest down, one to go! Last week we announced the winners from the Plant-Based Recipe Contest. This week the Affordable Plant-Based Recipe Contest opens for submissions! For this round, entries must include accessible, affordable, plant-based ingredients and be simple enough to prepare in a campus residence hall. Fueling any ideas? The deadline to enter is April 22nd so pull together your best and submit your recipe through the link below! The top three entrants will receive $50 gift certificates to the WCU bookstore and all eligible entries will be featured in a free digital cookbook available for download to all WCU campus community members. Good luck and bon appetit!
Zoom in on April 11th at 7pm to chat bats in PA with Rob Schorr, Zoologist, Colorado State University, Director of Climbers for Bat Conservation, Dr. Shawn Davis, Slippery Rock University, and representatives from DCNR & PA Game Commission. Learn how collaborations among climbers, wildlife biologists and land managers can help manage, conserve, and protect our bat population.
Spring 2022 Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar
The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar Series continues this Wednesday, April 6th from 12pm to 12:50pm with a presentation by Dr. Seth Jacobson, Director, WCU Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact, speaking on Student Basic Needs Insecurity at West Chester University. Join us Wednesday at noon on Zoom or in person in Sykes 255A/B.
This week for our Spotted in the GNA feature, we've received a photo of the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) captured recently by GNA intern Kathryn Krueger. The inspiration for two beloved cartoon characters often portrayed as up to mischief, the chipmunk derives its name from the Ojibwe word "ajidamoo" meaning "one who descends trees headlong." Skilled climbers, one would assume that these creatures nest above ground. The image of chipmunks living in hulled out tree trunks amongst hordes of acorns has been popularized in cartoons, but did you know that they actually nest underground? These nests include extensive tunnel systems, lined with leaves, sticks, rocks, and other debris making them difficult to see. I think we can all suspend our disbelief for the sake of a classic though, don't you?
The Gordon Natural Area is home to 1,872 known species, with the list growing longer every day. These are just a small sampling of the amazing organisms you can find while visiting the GNA. Find more information, directions, and visitor etiquette on theGordon Natural Area webpage.
Faculty members, if you're interested in incorporating a tour of the GNA into your courses, reach out to GNA Stewardship Manager Dr. Nur Ritter.
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.
There are a number of exciting student employment opportunities opening up for the 2022-23 Academic Year both in the Office of Sustainability and the Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact. Click on the links below to see position details and apply through Handshake.
CCESI RamCorps DIRECT positions in Environmental Justice, Health Equity, Food and Housing Security, and Education Equity (work study eligible only) https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/5900982
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.
Did someone forward this edition of the bulletin to you? You can subscribe yourself through the link below!
