Here's the latest in news, events, and announcements from WCU's Office of Sustainability!
Fall 2022 Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar
The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar is well under way thanks to last week's presentation by Professor Marc Gagne (recording available soon)! This week, we'll continue our weekly series with a presentation by Professor Matthew Caulfield, Management on Sustaining the Old or Making Anew? A Paradox of 'Social Sustainability' in an Era of Social Change. The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar is held every Wednesday of the Fall '22 semester (excluding Thanksgiving Week) during the lunch hour of noon to 1pm in Sykes 255A/B. There's also a Zoom option available for those unable to tear themselves away from home and office. You'll find the link to join virtually below. We hope you'll join us this and every week this semester, as we hear from researchers and practitioners across a wide variety of disciplines, finding ways to engage in the conversation and create solutions for a more sustainable future for all.
West Chester University Participates in the Annual Solar Tour
Once again, West Chester University will act as one of many Chester County hosts in the ASES National Solar Tour, taking place virtually on October 1-2, 2022. See the full list of local participants from the Chester County Clean Energy Tour below and join us this October as we explore all the ways businesses, homeowners, educational institutions, and religious organizations are innovating and making a difference for clean energy right here at home.
Study Abroad Experience with NDT435 Workshops: Climate Change and Community Food Security in Puerto Rico
Do you care about environmental sustainability and hunger? Join course NDT435 Workshops for a study abroad experience in beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico, as they explore:
Food security and sustainability eco-tours: La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce Farmer’s Market; local food and restaurants; urban, coffee, and pineapple farms and sustainability; local university efforts in community food security
Climate change and resilience tours: the only tropical rain forest in the US, El Yunque and rainforest restoration; Charco Azul at Carites National Forest
Cultural and historical contexts walks: historic “barrio” La Perla; Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Park; Fort San Cristóbal; La Parguara bioluminescent beach tour and swim
Service learning: foodbank and disaster relief; Hurricane Maria restoration projects
This study abroad experience is part of the course, NTD435 Workshops: Climate Change and Community Food Security in Puerto Rico. Students examine sustainable food systems through a hands-on experience with climate change and food security based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The course will be a hybrid course, meeting asynchronously online on a weekly basis, three required in-person meetings via Zoom and 9 days, 8 nights of study in Puerto Rico, May 18-26, 2023.
Bike Maintenance at the FHG Library: Thursdays at 5pm
Weekly Bike Maintenance Workshops are up and running as part of the new Bicycle Lending Library located in the Francis Harvey Green Library! Learn and get help with with basic bicycle maintenance skills and enjoy a time of community with other cyclists. The workshops are held every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm by the loading dock behind the FHG Library, on Rosedale Ave. Find details on Ramconnect!
West Chester University, Host Institution for the GCSHE Conference Yet Again!
GCSHE offers 3 full days of live content and networking, plus eighty days of on-demand access (through December 31, 2022). Educational sessions will be organized in 8 thematic tracks:
Campus Operations,
Culture & Communications,
Emerging Issues,
Governance & Administration,
Public Outreach & Engagement,
Racial Equity & Social Justice,
Student Organizing & Activism, and
Teaching & Learning.
As a Host Institution, WCU has 100 free registration passes.
Want to attend? Contact Amy Maxcy in the Office of Sustainability (amaxcy@wcupa.edu) for registration instructions!
Government Request for Public Input on the Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health and Equity
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is looking for public input on how they can best address the impacts climate change is having on issues of mental health and equity. Comments are due by October 31st and will be received via email toClimateChange@SAMHSA.HHS.gov.
For this week's Spotted in the GNA, we're featuring a unique fungi, seen only now for the second time in Gordon Natural Area history, the Eastern Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis spathulata). These large mushrooms, appearing as rosettes, grow singly, often at the base of oak stumps, as was the case in this instance. They can appear in the same spot year after year, and their unique appearance makes them easy to spot. There are several lookalikes however, for instance, Hen of the Woods, so if you're trying to make an identification, look for wavy white-yellow ribbons.
The Gordon Natural Area is home to 1,984 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 ManagerDr. 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's Biotapage.
Exciting Opportunities through the WCU Center for Community Solutions and Active Partnerships
The WCU Center for Community Solutions and Active Partnerships has two great opportunities available for students passionate about food systems. See full position descriptions on Handshake and check out the partners' websites below to learn more. These positions are aimed to be filled by October 15th, so if you're interested, get those applications submitted!
High Hill Hydro seeks an individual to help with the development of a microgreen subscription program, as well as elevate their social media presence with educational content for the public, as well as to help with efficiency, sustainability, and innovation goals.
Lundale Farm, Pottstown, PA
Lundale Farm is looking for assistance with social media, marketing, and storytelling as a way to tell the Farm's history.
SC Buildings and Energy Committee Meeting The Sustainability Council's Buildings and Energy Committee will meet this Friday, September 30th at 1pm on Zoom. Please emailChair, Professor Matthew McMahon for the Zoom link to join. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome to join and get involved!
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.
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