Livestream National Geographic Episode and Panel Discussion About Carbon Pricing
On April 5, the Bard Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College will host a national screening of Priceless, an episode from the National Geographic series, Years of Living Dangerously. The one-hour show, focusing on both carbon pricing and the threat to biodiversity caused by climate change, will be followed by a webcast panel discussion. Participating schools will be able to watch the episode at no charge, and the panel will welcome questions from a national viewing audience.
Invitation from Religious Group to Sign Climate Change Letter to Trump Administration
Chaplains for Earth, a collaboration among U.S. deans and directors of college and university religious and spiritual life departments, invites anyone in a leading or directing position in a religious and spiritual life department at a higher education institution, including head campus chaplains, to sign the open letter to President Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt calling on them to honor U.S. commitments made at the 2015 United Nations Climate Conference in Paris.
Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
The Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition is a global program intended to support the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Young people from around the world are invited to submit innovative ideas and projects that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The deadline to apply is July 31.
CURC Board of Directors Nominations
The College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) seeks individuals who will provide its board with a diverse range of professional experience and knowledge with recycling and sustainability specific to colleges and universities. CURC aims to include representation from different types and sizes of higher education institutions across the U.S. and Canada. Nominations are due by April 7.
21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits. Participants will explore the impact of race in the food system, uncovering racial inequities and injustices to discover ways to collectively promote a more just food system for all. The challenge is hosted by Food Solutions New England, a regional network coordinated by the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire. The challenge will take place from April 9-29.
Urban Environmental Education Online Course
This eight-week course, offered by Cornell University’s Civic Ecology Lab from April 10-June 4, is designed to help participants improve their knowledge of urban environmental education. Urban environmental education includes any learning practices that foster individual and community well-being and environmental quality in cities. Course participants will learn about urban contexts, theoretical underpinnings, educational settings and educational approaches in urban environmental education.
Energy Dept. Smart Labs Accelerator
The U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Labs Accelerator works with partner organizations to set a target to improve energy efficiency across their portfolio of laboratory buildings by at least 20 percent in 10 years or less. Partners will work together to develop standardized approaches to overcoming common barriers to energy efficiency in laboratories such as insufficient energy performance measurement methods and resistance to implementing efficient operational procedures.
Our Climate Fellowship
Students will train and organize other students, rallying public support for carbon pricing policy, and engage directly with elected officials on the local, state and national level. Applications are currently being accepted for summer 2017, fall 2017 and spring 2018 fellowship positions.
AASHE Workshop: Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workshop
This workshop, happening June 28–30 at University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment, is for faculty, administrators and staff of all disciplines, as well as community organizers and city officials and planners, who wish to interconnect and integrate sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion into their campus, curriculum and departments. The format will include opportunities for participants to bring forward topics from their own experiences to inform the discussion and gain insight from the perspectives of the presenters as well as fellow participants. The deadline to register is June 2.
Student, Educator Scholarships Available to Energypath 2017
The Sustainable Energy Fund is providing 150 scholarships to professional educators and college students to attend Energypath 2017 on July 27 at DeSales University in Pennsylvania. Scholarships cover the cost of the conference, exposition, science fair, a pre-conference energy camp and the keynote dinner.
Harvard Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Informational Sessions
Three informational sessions are available to choose from that will discuss the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership program, happening Nov. 13–17 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Leith Sharp, director of Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership, and past program participants and faculty will respond to questions from prospective applicants and those interested in promoting attendance to a senior leader in their organization or network. Information sessions are planned for March 27, April 26 and May 31.
Three Days to Apply: On-Campus Solar Project Support
The Green Gigawatt Partnership is offering cost-free support for up to five campuses to develop and implement on-campus (or near campus) solar projects. Support will include site screening, stakeholder education, RFP development and support, and contract negotiation support. Applications are due March 17.
Judges Needed: AASHE Sustainability Awards
Discover what institutions are doing to advance sustainability at their campus and the surrounding community by signing up to be a judge for the AASHE Sustainability Awards. Judging will take place in May and June. Sign up by May 12.
AASHE Workshop: Sustainability Professionals Retreat
The Sustainability Professionals Retreat, hosted by AASHE, is now accepting applications. This retreat is designed to encourage professional growth and build targeted skills in facilitation, meeting design, organizational design, governance, idea flow, senior leadership engagement and decision-making. Facilitated by Leith Sharp, from Harvard University, and Aurora Winslade, from Swarthmore College, this retreat will take place June 19-22, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The deadline to apply is April 14.
The GREEN Program
The GREEN Program is an accredited, short-term model that fuses academic credit, adventure, culture and service learning into a transformational experience abroad. As commitment partners to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, The GREEN Program exposes students to the heart and guts of these sustainability challenges and initiatives.
AASHE Member Discount: $100 Off ISSP Certification
The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) offers students, faculty and staff from AASHE-member schools a $100 discount on the ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) credential exam. The program is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of those in the sustainability field, including students with knowledge of core sustainability concepts.
On-Campus Solar Project Support: Application Deadline March 17
The Green Gigawatt Partnership is offering cost-free support for up to five campuses to develop and implement on-campus (or near campus) solar projects. Support will include site screening, stakeholder education, RFP development and support, and contract negotiation support. Applications are due March 17.
2017 Green Sports Alliance Innovators of the Year Awards
The award recognizes organizations and individuals that demonstrate excellence and innovation in environmental and social stewardship in the world of sports. Innovators of the Year embody sports sustainability across their organization and operations, implementing projects that not only reduce environmental impact but encourage fans, athletes and community stakeholders to do the same. The deadline to submit an application is March 8.
Three Days Remain: Higher Education Sustainability Staffing Survey
Participate in the 2017 Higher Education Sustainability Staffing Survey by March 10. Participants are encouraged to share the survey link with any colleagues who have a sustainability role. Survey respondents can opt to receive a complimentary copy of the follow-up report.
Solar Ambassador Program
The Solar Ambassador Program offered through RE-volv is a year-long fellowship for college students who want to help a community-serving organization near their campus go solar. RE-volv will train ambassadors in crowdfunding, solar policy, community engagement and project management. In turn, the solar ambassadors educate their campus communities about solar energy, develop a deep understanding of the energy sector, produce a tangible reduction in carbon emissions and build a national network of environmental stewards.
2017 Food Solutions Challenge
The Food Solutions Challenge is designed to generate awareness and holistic thinking around issues stemming from food production and distribution. Participants are asked to design a blueprint that will move toward a carbon neutral food supply chain for a chance to incubate their ideas at a global food solutions conference. Six groups will be selected to attend the Net Impact Local Global Food Solutions event to pitch their event to a panel of experts. The top team will be awarded $5,000.
2017 International Essay Contest for Young People
Students are invited to submit a 700-word essay based on the theme Learning from Nature. The essay should focus on what we learn from nature and how we can make use of that learning for the future. Organized by the Goi Peace Foundation, the deadline to enter the contest is June 15.
Make for the Planet
Staff and faculty are invited to submit an application to participate in Make for the Planet, a team competition to create hardware and/or software solutions to specific conservation challenges. Multidisciplinary teams will compete on-site at the Smithsonian Institution's Earth Optimism Summit in Washington, D.C., from April 21-23, 2017. Teams will have access to a pop-up maker's space with equipment to create prototypes and models of hardware and/or software solutions. Applications will be accepted through March 1.
AASHE Sustainability Awards: Call for Submissions
The annual AASHE Sustainability Awards recognize sustainability achievements, research advancements and student leadership. By raising the visibility of high-impact sustainability projects and pioneering research, the awards program helps to disseminate innovations and inspire continued progress toward sustainability. Submissions are due by May 12 to be considered for one of 10 awards, to be given at the 2017 AASHE Conference & Expo.
ISCN 2017 Sustainable Campus Excellence Awards
The International Sustainable Campus Network invites submissions for projects that demonstrate how the environmental, social and economic issues of our time provide opportunities for university administrations and faculty alike to improve campus infrastructures and recognize opportunities to integrate them into their research and learning activities. Applications are due by March 3.
2017 Newman Civic Fellowship Nomination Cycle
The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. The fellowship provides training and resources that nurture students’ assets and passions to help them develop strategies to achieve social change. Nominations are due by March 3.
SPLC Summit 2017 Volunteer Application to Attend for Free
Students interested in learning about the sustainable purchasing movement can register for the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council's 2017 Summit for free in exchange for volunteering for eight hours or two four-to-six hour shifts. The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council's annual conference is May 8-10 in Denver, Colorado. The application deadline is April 1.
Bard’s Center for Environmental Policy Sustainability Leadership Workshop
Applications are being accepted for the 2017 spring Campus-to-Congress Sustainability Leadership Workshop for undergraduate and recent graduates that will focus on key leadership skill development: vision, courage, developing a network, storytelling and raising funds. The workshop is at Bard College from March 3-5.
2016-2017 Prizes in Higher Education Policy Research
The International Association of Universities and COPERNICUS Alliance are holding an essay competition themed on higher education and research for sustainable development. The research-based essays may take the form of an analytical case study, an analysis of trends, provide an overview of relevant policies or offer the results of impact assessment. Abstracts are due no later than Feb. 28.
Earth Optimism Student Video Competition
The Smithsonian Institution invites undergraduate and graduate students to share a success story that involves them personally or highlights a story that needs to be told through a compelling two-minute video. The theme of the competition is Conservation Success. The student with the best video, as selected by a panel of judges, will receive $1,000. Up to three winners will receive funding to attend the three-day Earth Optimism Summit in Washington, D.C., April 21-23. The deadline to submit is March 3.
The Witnessing Change Video Competition
The Witnessing Change Video Competition invites student documentarians to record the impacts of climate change happening in their own communities, and to use their work to inform the public. The videos should highlight the emotional and financial costs of climate change. Due to additional grant support, the fee for the 2016/2017 competition has been waived for all applicants. Submissions are due May 1.
AASHE Workshop: Sustainability Professionals Retreat
The Sustainability Professionals Retreat, hosted by AASHE near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from June 19-22, is designed to encourage professional growth and build targeted skills in facilitation, meeting design, organizational design, governance, idea flow, senior leadership engagement and decision-making. Facilitated by Leith Sharp, from Harvard University, and Aurora Winslade, from Swarthmore College, this three-day retreat will allow for creative and open-ended discussions. The deadline to apply is April 14.
On-Campus Solar Project Support Through Green Gigawatt Partnership
Five AASHE-member campuses will be selected to receive integrated on-site solar advisory services from the Green Gigawatt Partnership, including site screening, stakeholder education, RFP development and contract negotiation support. The Green Gigawatt Partnership is designed to help the higher education sector catalyze at least one gigawatt of new renewable energy by the year 2020. The application deadline is March 17.
UNESCO-Japan 2017 Prize on Education for Sustainable Development
UNESCO is seeking nominations for the third edition of the UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development. Endowed with a total of $150,000 to be divided between three recipients, the prize aims to honor and showcase outstanding education for sustainable development projects and programs worldwide. Submissions are due by May 2.
AASHE Conference & Expo Abstract Deadline Feb. 13
The last day to submit a proposal and sign up to be a reviewer for the 2017 AASHE Conference & Expo, themed “Stronger in Solidarity”, is Feb. 13. Held in San Antonio, Texas, from Oct. 15-18, the conference will focus on how the campus sustainability community can break down walls, build bridges and continue to make progress toward a healthy and equitable future for all.
Call for Abstracts: Symposium on Sustainability in University Campuses
Abstracts are being accepted for the Symposium on Sustainability in University Campuses, being held Sept. 17-19 at University of São Paulo, in São Paulo, Brazil. The conference theme is "Campuses as living labs for connecting the nexus energy, climate and sustainable development". Abstracts are due on Feb. 25.
Princeton Review & Sierra Magazine Reporting Deadline: March 3, 2017
AASHE is continuing its collaboration with the Princeton Review and Sierra magazine to reduce the data collection and reporting burden for members. Campuses wishing to earn a Princeton Review Green rating and a Sierra Cool Schools ranking can submit data by March 3 through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Reporting Tool.
