University of Florida Office of Sustainability

AASHE is now accepting applications for its 2007 Sustainability Leadership Awards, to be presented in September at Ball State University's Greening of the Campus Conference VII. Four Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards and one Student Sustainability Leadership Award will be presented. The Campus Sustainability Achievement Award recognizes the institutions that have made the greatest overall commitment to sustainability as demonstrated in their governance, curriculum and research, operations, campus culture, and community outreach. The AASHE Student Sustainability Achievement Award honors an undergraduate student from an AASHE member institution who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting campus sustainability. Applications for both awards are due by July 1, 2007.

We are pleased to announce a program of Energy Fellowships for new graduate students beginning their studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in fall 2008. MIT Energy Fellowships will support students interested in pursuing graduate research opportunities in energy across a wide array of disciplines. Prospective graduate students should apply as usual through the department of their interest.

Please see the attached poster PDF for mor information on pursuing this fellowship. We are happy to send you large 11"x 17" hard copies as well – please contact the MIT Energy Initiative (MITei) Education Office at energyfellowships@mit.edu for more information

Graduate Assistantships with the Office of Sustainability at Ohio University

The Office of Sustainability at Ohio University is now accepting applications for a Research Assistantship in Climate & Environmental Economics and a Graduate Assistantship in Sustainability. Closing date for applications: February 15, 2008.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP IN CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS

The Research Assistant in Climate & Environmental Economics will work in collaboration with the department of Economics and Ohio University's Sustainability Coordinator to explore available approaches toward achieving climate neutrality, including climate footprinting tools, emissions reductions (both on and off-campus), green power generation, offsets, and market-based carbon trading programs. This assistantship includes a stipend of $11,000 and full remission of tuition fees. It is expected that the successful applicant will apply for and be admitted to the MA program in Applied Economics, with a concentration in environmental resource economics, and will display a relevant background and interest in climate change, carbon markets, and US-based efforts to achieve climate neutrality. The closing date for applications for both the MA in Applied Economics and the Research Assistantship in Climate and Environmental Economics is February 15, 2008.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Graduate Assistant in Sustainability will assist the Sustainability Coordinator with communication, education and outreach programs targeting the campus community. This assistantship includes a stipend of $11,000 and full remission of tuition fees. The Office of Sustainability is dedicated to improving the efficiency of our university facilities, greening our practices and processes, and strengthening our campus-wide culture of environmental mindfulness. It is expected that the successful applicant will apply for and be admitted to a Masters level or PhD program at Ohio University. Continuing graduate students are also encouraged to apply. The closing date for applications for the Graduate Assistantship in Sustainability is February 15, 2008. Please note that deadlines for applications to Ohio University graduate programs vary.
Contact departmental administrators for information and application procedures.

More information regarding both of these positions including full position descriptions is available at:

<www.ohio.edu/sustainability>

Please circulate this announcement widely! Thank you.

Sonia Marcus
Sustainability Coordinator
Ohio University
marcuss@ohio.edu
(740)593-0026
www.ohio.edu/sustainability

APA'S HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST
The 2007-08 High School Essay Competition has begun. This year's topic is "Creating a Green Neighborhood Plan," which coincides with National Community Planning Month's green streets and neighborhoods theme. High school students nationwide compete for a $5,000 college scholarship. Submissions are due January 15, 2008. For details, go to


http://www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm

SPICE Graduate Fellowships for 2008-2009 are available. SPICE is an
NSF-sponsored GK-12 program in its fifth year at the University of
Florida.

Through SPICE, graduate students in the sciences and engineering are
trained
in inquiry-based teaching methods, paired with Alachua Public School
teachers, and teach in middle school classrooms. The required commitment
of
time is high (15 hours/week), as is the stipend.

A primary goal of SPICE is to enhance communication skills and outreach
abilities of graduate students. Any graduate student interested in
teaching
at any level will benefit. Another goal of SPICE is to spark interest in
science, engineering and math among Gainesville's disadvantaged youth.

The theme of SPICE is Ecosystem Health, but Fellows do not need to be
doing
research about ecosystem health -- they only need to have an interest in
it.

A two-year commitment is required of SPICE Fellows. During the first
year,
Fellows will teach approximately 2 days/week and receive a stipend of
$30,000 (plus tuition and fees). During the second year, they will teach
approximately 2 days/month and will receive a stipend of $3,500.

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents majoring in the
sciences or engineering. Preference will be given to students already
enrolled in a graduate program at UF. Graduate students in groups
currently
underrepresented in science and engineering are especially encouraged to
apply.

Applications are due Monday, February 4, 2008. Application materials and
further information are available HERE'>http://www.spice.centers.ufl.edu

Questions can be addressed to Suzan Smith (Program Coordinator;
suzan@cpet.ufl.edu) or Doug Levey (Program Director; dlevey@ufl.edu)

PRACTITIONER FELLOWSHIP COMPETITION


Alcoa Foundation's Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship Program is a unique, international fellowship program created to advance the knowledge and support for exemplary work in the field of conservation and sustainability through fellowships to outstanding academics and practitioners from non-governmental organizations (NGO). By bringing together the academic, NGO and business communities, Alcoa Foundation’s program will be a new model of effective private philanthropic action to address urgent problems of global concern.

Practitioner Fellowships provide a non-degree opportunity for qualified mid-level professionals from NGOs (and in some cases, government) to conduct approved six- to twelve-month intensive applied research projects in conservation and sustainability. Fellows work from their home organization and are mentored remotely by an expert from a selected Sustainability Institute

Fellows receive a grant of $10,000 and reimbursement for travel to an Orientation and a Program Conference. Stipend

To be eligible for a Practitioner Fellowship, you must be a mid-career professional employed by a non-governmental organization (NGO) or similar-type organization, or a governmental organization that permits the acceptance of this type of award.

Full-time students and consultants are NOT eligible. Full-time employees of an academic institution (such as a professor, researcher, lecturer or similar) conducting research of an academic nature are NOT eligible. Employees of for-profit businesses are NOT eligible.


For more information, visit:
http://www.alcoafoundationfellows.org/page/pf2008/

The Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy is sponsoring an essay contest for college students with 3, $10,000 prizes for winning essays.

Here's opportunities for students to change the world right here and right now. Make a difference, enter this contest.

For more info, click HERE

Sustainable Florida - Collins Center is pleased to accept nominations for the
2008 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. This is our tenth year hosting the
awards – its signature event of the year. Sustainable Florida has recognized
more than one hundred businesses, organizations and individuals for their
dynamic work in helping to create sustainable Florida.

Since 1990, the Sustainable Florida has exhibited a firm commitment to improve
Florida’s environment and economy, while building a safer, healthier, higher
quality of life for all of its citizens. With the support of its many partners,
Sustainable Florida identifies business, government, and community groups that
demonstrate outstanding achievements and excellence in general sustainability
practices.

Previous Sustainable Florida Best Practice award recipients have been rewarded
for their efforts to conserve water, revitalize coastlines, implement cleaner more
efficient processes for air and water, preserve and promote agricultural practices,
create green developments that reduce energy and water usage and save
residents money, adopt and implement practices to create sustainable
communities, companies and campuses, develop win-win solutions to enable
smart growth while preserving green space and native habitat, and many more.
You can read about past winners at our website – www.SustainableFlorida.org.
A blue ribbon panel of leaders in government, business, civic and environmental
organizations, and academic institutions will evaluate the nominees. Nominees
will be recognized at a formal awards program and honored for their
achievements by the Governor and Cabinet in June.

The Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards Program has successfully
recognized and disseminated "Statewide Best Practices." The annual awards
program identifies best management practices for sustainability in Florida and
encourages their widespread replication. Together we acknowledge that both the
environment and the economy are vital to the well being of our citizens, and we
recognize that a sustainable future is Florida’s only future.

Peop21. People, Ecology & Development Study Abroad Program, Thailand

The International Sustainable Development Studies Institute is now accepting applications for its Spring 2009 People, Ecology and Development study abroad program in Thailand. The program focuses on the links between culture, ecology and sustainability through the experiential study of specific communities and ecosystems. ISDSI Expedition Field Courses are upper division courses which require living cross-culturally and traveling in remote areas--villages, islands, rivers and mountains; while traveling by foot, sea kayak or canoe. Students earn a semester of academic credit while on the program. The Spring semester includes the intensive study of Thai, as well as studies of rivers, human rights and the environment; islands, reefs and mangrove ecosystems; and ethnic peoples and forests. The deadline for applications is October 10, 2008.

http://www.isdsi.org/spring.html

The Summer of Solutions Program for Students
Grand Aspirations is inviting youth across the nation to attend The Summer of Solutions, an experiential training and community organizing program run by college students who are pioneering systemic and transformative solutions to global warming. This summer, the program will apply the vision of a renewable energy society and a just and sustainable economy in ways that will give students the tools to generate concrete and sweeping changes in their communities nationwide. The Summer of Solutions will take place June 1 – August 1, 2008 in St. Paul, MN. Applications are due April 1, 15, and 29, 2008.

http://www.grandaspirations.or...SummerofSolutions.html