Month: March 2017 (Page 1 of 3)

Earth Month Celebrations

Tufts has a month-long series of events planned to educate the community about sustainability issues. The month will culminate with an Earth Day celebration on the Medford/Somerville campus.

See the Facebook event

April 6th
Lunch & Learn: An acidifying ocean: Where might it lead?
12:00-1:00 PM, Rabb Room

April 6th
Medford Bike Commission Meeting
6:00-7:30 PM, Tufts University Mayer Campus Center, Room 012

April 7th
Tufts Food Systems Symposium: Intersections of Waste and Food Insecurity
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Breed Hall, 51 Winthrop Street

April 7th
Hillel’s Farm to Table Shabbat Dinner
5:00-9:00 PM, Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Ave

April 10th
CIERP Research Seminar: Ujjayant Chakravorty
12:30 – 1:40 PM, Cabot 702

April 10th

Federalism in the Era of Climate Change

6:30 PM, Barnum 104

April 11th
TIE-SEI Nexus Symposium
1:00-6:00 PM, Alumnae Lounge

April 12th
ENVS Internship Poster Symposium
12:00-1:00 PM, Remis Sculpture Court

April 12th
Hot Topics in the Environmental Industry (Networking Event)
5:00-7:00 PM, Alumnae Lounge

April 13th
Lunch & Learn: Sustainability at the municipal level in Somerville
12:00-1:00 PM, Rabb Room

April 13th

MassDEP Climate Meeting: AlChE Boston Dinner

6:00- 8:30 PM, SciTech

April 14th
Environmental Escapade to the Boston Public Market + art exhibit at Hay Market
12:50-3:10PM, Back of Miller Hall

April 18th
Eco-Rep movie screening of The Age of Consequences
6:00 PM, Tisch 304

April 19th
Voices from the Edge: Gina McCarthyFacebook Event Page 
7:30PM, Alumnae Lounge
Presented by Ex College

April 20th
Lunch & Learn: Boston to Bukoba and back: Building the honey money chain
12:00-1:00 PM, Rabb Room

April 20th
Grafton Green Team Clothing Swap
Grafton Campus

April 20th
8th Annual WSSS Symposium
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, ASEAN Auditorium, Cabot Center

April 21st
Earth Fest + Eco-Reps Clothing Swap/Jumbo Mountain
11 am – 2 pm, Academic Quad in front of West

April 22nd
March for Science (Boston)
2:00-4:00 PM, Boston Common

April 24th
Clean Water, Healthy Rivers: Preventing toxic algae blooms in local waterways
6:30-7:45 PM, Barnum 104

April 27th
Lunch & Learn: Drought, blight, and the aesthetics of dispossession
12:00-1:00 PM, Rabb Room

If you are planning any Earth Month events at Tufts that were not included on this list, please contact sustainabilityoffice@tufts.edu and we will add them.

ELM Environmental Fellows Training (Worcester)

ELM Environmental Fellows Training (EFP)
 
The Environmental League of Massachusetts is once again offering its Environmental Fellows Training (EFP) for college students and high school seniors. This is an exciting leadership and career development opportunity for students interested in environmental advocacy. Our one day training will help participants develop skills in campus organizing, public policy research, communications, and environmental advocacy. Participation in this program will teach students to serve as effective advocates for environment.
The program is this Saturday, April 1st from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Central Branch YMCA, 766 Main Street, Worcester.
Program Elements

·        Getting Acquainted: Introduction to ELM’s work and our statewide environmental policy agenda
·        Advocacy: How to be an effective advocate in your community and on Beacon Hill
·        Public Policy Research: How to do effectively public policy research. Information is power!
·        Political and Advocacy Communications: How to use traditional and social media for advocacy work

Fellows who complete the program will be invited to participate in other ELM advocacy efforts in communities across the state and at the Massachusetts State House. They will also receive campus advocacy organizing materials if they want to do advocacy work on their own campuses.
 Register here: https://www.environmentalleague.org/event/environmental-fellows-program/

 

Put a Price On it Fellowship

Our Climate mobilizes young people to advocate for fair and effective carbon pricing policy through the Put a Price on It campaign. Our Fellowship Program is a structured program in which participants lead a campaign for carbon pricing in their communities. Fellows give 5-10 hours/week, in which they gain experience organizing and training other students, rally public support for a national and state carbon pricing policy, and directly engage with elected officials. Fellows receive support from Our Climate and Citizens’ Climate Lobby staff as they work to achieve the goals of the campaign.
Fellowship applications are accepted until May 1 for the Summer, June 18 for Fall, and December 15 for Spring. Stipends are available for the Fall and Spring positions, amount depending on fundraising outcomes.

Several Positions, City of Hartford Climate Stewardship Initiative (Hartford, CT)

Sustainability Coordinator:

The City of Hartford is seeking a full-time Sustainability Coordinator to develop and administer programs and initiatives related to environmental stewardship at the local level. The Sustainability Coordinator will work with various public and private stakeholders on activities to combat the adverse effects of climate change on Hartford. Throughout the 22-month, grant-funded position, the Sustainability Coordinator will report to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor.

Hartford seeks a Sustainability Coordinator in the context of its rigorous, comprehensive climate resiliency effort – the Climate Stewardship Initiative (CSI) – which aims to improve our quality of life through environmental stewardship, while advancing our economy, improving public health outcomes, and promoting social equity. Through the CSI, Hartford has collaborated with corporations, private foundations, and state and federal government agencies to make significant strides in a number of areas. More information about these initiatives is available a http://www.hartford.gov/climate.

A Sustainability Coordinator would help Hartford build on this strong coalition, and not only respond to threats of climate change, but also strategize proactively for the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Sustainability Coordinator will:

  • Manage the process of drafting and finalizing a climate action plan for the City
  • Initiate, manage, and coordinate a variety of sustainability-related projects in and among different City departments, including the Departments of Development Services and Public Works, and the Hartford Public Schools
  • Monitor performance of environmental management and sustainability initiatives
  • Develop and maintain relationships with public and private stakeholders interested in contributing to sustainability activities
  • Identify and pursue funding sources including federal, state, and private funds to support sustainability programs and initiatives
  • Monitor sustainability-related changes in local, state, and federal law and policy
  • Maintain channels of publicity (including website and social media) on the City’s sustainability initiatives
  • Advise the Mayor and other City officials on sustainability issues
  • Attend, hold, and initiate city and community meetings on sustainability issues
  • Oversee the work of the Green Infrastructure Specialist
  • Liaise with the funders of the grant for the Sustainability Coordinator position.

The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in science, sustainability, urban planning, architecture, public policy, law, or related fields
  • Ability to communicate clearly and work closely with officials, city residents, the business community, environmental groups, and other stakeholders
  • Ability to maintain projects and meet deadlines
  • Excellent analytical and research skills
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct public engagement activities

Preferred Requirements:

  • Graduate Degree in science, sustainability, urban planning, architecture, public policy, law, or related fields
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in coordinating environment-related projects

Other Details:

  • Salary up to $90,000/year, based on experience, with possibility of City benefits
  • This position is in the unclassified service, and incumbent is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor in accordance with Chapters IV and V of the City Charter.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to mayor@hartford.gov.

 

Green Infrastructure Specialist:

The City of Hartford is seeking a full-time Green Infrastructure Specialist to facilitate and administer stormwater management infrastructure in Hartford. Throughout the one-year, grant-funded position, the Green Infrastructure Specialist will report to City Sustainability Coordinator in the Office of the Mayor.

Hartford seeks a Green Infrastructure Specialist in the context of its rigorous, comprehensive climate resiliency effort – the Climate Stewardship Initiative (CSI) – which aims to improve our quality of life through environmental stewardship, while advancing our economy, improving public health outcomes, and promoting social equity. Through the CSI, Hartford has collaborated with corporations, private foundations, and state and federal government agencies to make significant strides in a number of areas. More information about these initiatives is available at http://www.hartford.gov/climate.

The Green Infrastructure Specialist is entirely grant-funded by the University of Connecticut’s Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA). In addition to collaborating with CIRCA, the Green Infrastructure Specialist will be required to coordinate with the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), the regional water and sewer authority, on a variety of matters.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assess and analyze in a written report green infrastructure techniques best suited to Hartford’s built and natural environments, position along a vital inland waterway, and population
  • Coordinate with the MDC in MDC’s efforts to advance green infrastructure strategies and assist with the identification of locations and configurations where green infrastructure would be most successful in reducing load on our existing stormwater systems
  • Initiate major green infrastructure pilot project(s)
  • Collaborate with City personnel to draft specifications on materials used for milling/paving roads, sidewalks, parking lots and similar facilities to incorporate and, where possible, replace existing material specifications with greener solutions, and use these specifications as the basis for a manual for other towns
  • Collaborate with the City bicycle/pedestrian coordinator and other federal, state, and City personnel to identify and implement a program on “Green and Complete Streets”
  • Conduct outreach to community groups in Hartford, as well as other cities in coordination with CIRCA to discuss best practices around the state and country regarding stormwater-related green infrastructure and impact on resilience and sustainability
  • Identify and pursue state and federal, and private funding sources for additional green infrastructure projects
  • Perform site visits with City and consultant engineers to identify design strategies and locations for implementation
  • Organize and evaluate engineering design documents submitted by consultant engineering firms
  • Prepare presentations of design plans to City officials and engineers
  • Advise the Mayor, Sustainability Coordinator, and other city officials on green infrastructure-related issues

The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, or a related field leading to a career in green infrastructure
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience with design and/or project management of green infrastructure
  • Ability to quickly understand and insightfully present engineering concepts to those without an engineering background
  • Demonstrated public presentation and speaking skills
  • Strong analytical skills

Preferred Requirements:

  • Masters degree in environmental management, environmental studies, natural resources, or a related field
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully lead collaborative green infrastructure projects between nonprofit, institutional, and public partners

Other Details:

  • Salary up to $60,000/year, based on experience, with possibility of City benefits
  • This position is in the unclassified service, and incumbent is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor in accordance with Chapters IV and V of the City Charter.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to mayor@hartford.gov.

Boston Campus Waste Station Checklist

Recently, you may have noticed some big changes in recycling on the Boston campus: all recycling is now mixed, meaning there are now only types two bins at waste stations across campus: trash and recycling! 

Research shows that an effective way to capture more recyclables is to pair trash containers with recycling containers. Your waste station should have BOTH types of bin listed below:  

Gray trash bin with white “landfill” label 

Gray recycling bin with: 

  • Blue “mixed recycling” label 
  • Light blue bag 
  • Blue UFO-shaped lid 
Complete waste station

Now, that’s a good looking waste station!

If the waste station in your dorm, office, or classroom doesn’t look like the photo above, please submit a work order that will go to Facilities Services.

During the transition to mixed recycling, Tufts strategically reduced the number of waste stations in each building. This helps with efficiency (regarding the time to empty bins) and sustainability (reducing the number of plastic liners we use reduces our overall impact!). Your original central waste station may have been moved to another area on your floor or removed entirely during the transition, however, please do not move any waste receptacles. If you feel that an error has been made with your waste station please submit a work order and contact recycle@tufts.edu with specific questions.  

 

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