Seniors invited to take the 2015 Graduation Pledge
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Graduating seniors are invited to take the following pledge regarding social and environmental responsibility: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work." The pledge was developed at Bentley University and has since has grown into the Graduation Pledge Alliance. More information about the pledge, its history and participating schools can be found at www.graduationpledge.org. Graduating seniors interested in signing the pledge can do so by visiting the Sustainability website, or stopping by the tables at the Graduation Finale on March 24th and March 25th.
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ECO launches residence hall composting pilot program
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Luther's Environmental Concerns Organization (ECO) has initiated a residence hall composting program to help to educate people on composting, to gauge the amount of food waste residence halls produce, and to develop a strategy to divert the amount of waste that is created on campus. The group has placed compost buckets in the trash rooms of Miller Hall on floors 2, 3, 5, and 6 as part of the pilot project. The program will last a month and a half and the group will evaluate it effectiveness and areas for improvement at the end of the test period. ECO's ultimate goal is to have composting programs in every residence hall on campus. Visit the webpages to learn more about ECO and Luther's composting programs.
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NE Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative seeking AmeriCorps member for 2015-2016
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The Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness initiative is seeking interested individuals
to fill the FoodCorps/Americorps service member positions, based in schools
around northeast Iowa, for the upcoming 2015-2016 service year. The term would
begin September 1 and last for approximately one year. Ask any Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative service member why they chose to serve a year with this Americorps program, and you'll never get money, fame or glory as a response. The answers will be far more valuable: increasing access to healthy foods for low-income families, supporting local economies by helping to build a robust food system, sharing knowledge of healthy foods, getting kids in the garden. In one year's time, service members work within local communities to do all of these and more. To read more about the position and responsibilities included, visit the Off-Campus Opportunities webpage.
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Local Foods Feature: Sno Pac Foods
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Sno Pac Foods is a family-owned and operated organic farm and processing plant that produces and prepares frozen fruits and vegetables for regional and national markets. The operation has been in the family for 113 years and has been certified organic for 70 years. Headquarted in Caledonia, Minnesota, Sno Pac Foods is 30 miles from Luther. Dining Services purchases frozen butternut squash, corn, diced carrots, diced potatoes, green beans, mixed veggies, and peas from this local company.
Most Sno Pac Foods products are served in the cafeteria, and Luther often serves Sno Pac diced potatoes at Sunday Peace Brunch. To read more about Sno Pac Foods, check out the profile that a student put together this past Summer after visiting.
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Spring cleaning is right around the corner! According to the EPA, the air inside of a home is two to five times more polluted than the air outside, mainly because of household cleaners and pesticides. Many common cleaning products can be made from nontoxic ingredients that you already have in your home and work just as well. Making your own cleaning solutions will also help reduce the amount of plastic packaging you buy. Check out this site for ideas and recipes.
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This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities, which coordinates all sustainability initiatives at Luther College. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. For more information on sustainability initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities, please visit: www.luther.edu/sustainability.
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Tues,, Wed, March 23rd &24th- Prairie Burn Crew training sessions
8pm Valders 262Students interested in participating in the Prairie Burn Crew for the 2015 season are required to attend one of the sessions for safety and procedural training. Read more
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Wednesday, April 8th- Sustainability Council
4pm Mott RoomThe Campus Sustainability Council is coming together for their second meeting this semester to discuss new policies and to hear from different task groups. Members of the campus community are welcome to attend. Read more
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Thursday, April 9th- Gardening Series: How to Build a Raised Bed
9:45-10:45 Valders 262Jeff Scott of Driftless Gardens has installed many raised beds at schools and homes within the Decorah community. During this class he will discuss key considerations related to raised beds as well as show plans and budgets for various raised bed systems.Read more and register
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Ellen is a junior Biology major from Duluth, Minnesota. She works in the Center for Sustainable Communities writing various newsletters, coordinating food education events and doing related research. Ellen had the opportunity to present some of her research at the AASHE conference in Nashville, TN in 2013. Ellen enjoys working for the Center because she has been able to learn a lot about area food systems. "It makes me proud to go to school here and live in this region. I love that I have been able to form relationships both with those in the Luther community and the larger community though my work." To read more about Ellen and her role in the Center, visit the Work Study profiles page.
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Outdoor/Environmental Education Fellow- Center for Sustainable Communities
Luther College is currently accepting applications for the position of Outdoor/ Environmental Education Fellow in the Center for Sustainable Communities. This is a six month, full-time position starting April/May 2015 and ending November/December, 2015. Read More
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Americorps Member- Green Iowa Americorps
Green Iowa AmeriCorps, an 11-month community service program, is seeking members for the 2015-16 term. This opportunity is open to graduating seniors. Read More
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Imagine Energy Traveler Volunteers- Iowa Renewable Energy Association
The Iowa Renewable Energy Association is seeking student volunteers to provide outreach and education using their mobile demonstration platform, the Imagine Energy Traveler Read More
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