You are part of a larger Environmental Center team. Take advantage of opportunities to engage in E-Center events, discussions, and professional development opportunities. This page is to share resources for staying connected with the Environmental Center mission and your work in campus sustainability.
Staff-relevant announcements, opportunities and events, and other information will be posted and updated weekly here on this private webpage, and sent by email for you and the rest of the Environmental Center staff.
We ask you to:
- Read Updates when they are posted. Information pertinent to your work is categorized under Staff Info, Extra Work Opportunities, Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities, and Resources.
- Stay in contact. E-Center professional staff are available to support you. Keep in touch with your supervisor and team in person, by email, and by any other agreed upon electronic communications.
- Let us know what else you need! Questions about your pay, work expectations, office hours, other Environmental Center programs? Reach out to your direct supervisor or to Dana.Kelly@Colorado.edu
Staff Update
- Join the Campus Sustainability Summit this week, Wednesday April 24 and Thursday, April 25 in the University Memorial Center !
- Get paid to work
- Sign up to check in guests at the registration table and assist with other tasks as needed.
- Check with your E-Center supervisor to see if you can be paid as professional development to attend and/or help with sessions related to your work (for example, zero waste and climate justice staff - check out the Buffs vs. Plastic session below.)
- Attend key sessions
- Decarbonizing Food Pathways Wednesday, April 24 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. About a third of all carbon emissions are linked to food. Hear about current and past CU efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the food sector and your role in helping the campus reach its climate goals.
- Drop 'N' Swap Wednesday, April 24 12–6 p.m. Donate and pick up new-to-you clothing, shoes, accessories, gear, office supplies, room decor and more in the campus-wide swap shop. You don't need to bring anything to take items away.
- Student Ideas Showcase and Campus Initiatives Exhibits Wednesday, April 24 1–4 p.m. Vote for up to $10,000 in cash prizes for top student ideas which will be on display for climate and sustainability solutions. Representatives from campus programs and departments will also showcase their climate and sustainability initiatives.
- Featured Presenter: Wednesday, April 24 5:15–6:30 p.m. Dr. Anu Taranath "Why Global Citizenship is So Great, and Maybe Not"
- Morning Mixer Thursday, April 25 9:15–10 a.m. Check out displays to learn about CU's Climate Action Plan and equity efforts. Participate in activities to build community and explore ways to connect and partner.
- Campus Leadership Forum Thursday, April 25 10–11:30 a.m. Members of CU Boulder's Sustainability Executive Council and Climate Action Plan steering committee will provide insight into the current sustainability landscape at CU Boulder.
- Campus Zero Waste Tour Thursday, April 25 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Explore the campus "waste-shed" -- where waste comes from and where it goes on campus and beyond. Walking tour with lunch provided. Sign-up required, limited to 20 participants.
- Buffs vs. Plastics Thursday, April 25 1–2:30 p.m. This panel discussion will explore the impacts of single-use plastics, what CU Boulder is doing about it, and how we can reduce, if not elimiate, this source of waste from the campus and community.
- Innovating Sustainability Education in the Classroom and Beyond Thursday, April 25 2:45–4 p.m. From the Sustainable Futures Common Curriculum to other new approaches, explore innovative education opportunties at CU.
- See the full schedule here
- Get paid to work
- Student Jobs at the E-Center
Hiring now for spring, summer, and some fall openings - apply for new opportunites, tell your friends and watch for more coming soon- Graphics Designer, Climate Justice Team, Campus Sustainability/STARS Assistant, Green Labs, Zero Waste Outreach Team, and Ralphie's Green Stampede Sports Sustainability and Fan Engagement positions
- Apply at www.colorado.edu/ecenter/jobs
Extra Work Opportunities
- April 24–25 Campus Sustainability Summit Support E-Center staff are sought to work during various events during the 31st annual Campus Sustainability Summit at the University Memorial Center. Shifts include tour and session attendants, registration table support, student showcase set up and support, student showcase awards scoring and presentation support, Awards reception support, and Campus Leadership panel support. See the full sign up with times and information.
- April 24 Drop 'N' Swap 12 - 6 pm in UMC 2nd floor The E-Center's zero waste team is seeking staff to sign up to help out during this campus-wide clothing, gear and accessories swap with sewing/mending station. This sign up is for E-Center staff only. If you have friends who would like to volunteer, contact Arianna.Moscone@colorado.edu to get the general Give Pulse volunteer sign up link.
- May 5 - May 11 Shifts available for move out donation drive: Help collect donations from students moving out of residence halls. Staff bag donations, clean donation areas and help vendors collect items. These shifts pay your regular E-Center rate. Sign up to work.
- Hold these dates for more zero waste work opportunities. Contact Robin.Poley@colorado.edu with questions.
- May 25–27 BolderBoulder 10K
- June 28–29 Odesza concerts at Folsom Field
- August 9 TBA concert at Folsom Field
- August 17 Tyler Childers Concert at Folsom Field
- August 31 first 2024 football game
Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities
- Monday, April 22 I Scream for Zero Waste 11 a.m.–4 p.m. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream... and Zero Waste! Join the Environmental Center's Zero Waste Outreach Team for our annual event. Meet us at the Duane Lawn, make a sustainability pledge - write it on a banner, pledge to yourself in a mirror, or post on social media - and get a free scoop of ice cream!
- Saturday, April 27 Farm and Feast 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Join the Climate Justice Team to volunteer to help prepare All First Nations' plot at Growing Gardens, and learn about Indigenous food sovereignty and preparation. Afterward, we will enjoy delicious food together, from Tocabe, Denver's American Indian Food Chain. Learn more and RSVP.
- Recycle Colorado Future Leaders Scholarship - a great way for higher education students to learn more about career opportunities in waste diversion, recycling, composting, circular economy and sustainability fields, while connecting with private businesses, local government, nonprofits, and university representatives. A handful of students who apply for the scholarship will be selected to attend the 2024 Recycle Colorado Summit for Recycling conference, June 3-5 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The conference agenda includes educational sessions presented by a variety of subject matter experts, tours, workshops, and fun networking opportunities. This is a great way for students to get their foot in the door in the industry. Apply by Friday, May 10th.
More upcoming Environmental Center events can be found at our online events page.
And more fun stuff
- You're invited to Jasmin's (Energy and Climate program) and Jack's (Zero Waste program) African Dance Final! Sunday, May 5th 1:30 - 4 pm in the Theater building, W150
- Encourage CU Boulder to sign the Green Chemistry Commitment Green Chemistry utilizes practices that prevent pollution at the molecular level, minimize energy consumption, reduce waste, reduce use of environmentally toxic chemicals, lessen the environmental impact of laboratories. The Green Chemistry Commitment, created in 2013 by Beyond Benign, is currently signed by 157 Universities. 98% of Universities that sign the GCC implement green chemistry into their courses. Sign a petition of support encouraging CU Boulder to sign on.
- SOCY 2077: Environment and Society summer session B Online Asynchronous class. Who is most harmed by environmental problems? Who benefits most from environmental destruction? How are communities fighting for a more socially just and ecologically healthy world? Environment and Society investigates these questions, considering how social inequalities - along the lines of race, class, gender, ability, and more - shape access to environmental benefits and exposure to environmental harms. You won't just focus on problems; you'll come away with an understanding of social movements and strategies to fight for environmentally just solutions, and how to maintain hope in the face of injustice. CU Boulder Summer Session B, July 9 - August 9, Online Asynchrounous, Instructor Brigid Mark.