News & Events
OSTP Student Volunteer Program
General Applications Dur February 27th
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is currently accepting applications for its summer 2012 Student Volunteer Program. U.S. citizens who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are welcome to apply. More information is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/about/student/.
Kristin Skarie: Nothing New
Based on a self-imposed commitment to not buy anything new for one year, Kristin Skarie has learned some intriguing lessons on the difference between wants and needs. She translated her learnings from this reduced consumerism/consumption experiment to real life lasting leadership in unusual ways – mostly in the form of thought-provoking questions to examine what you want, what you need, and what you have to be a wildly successful leader.
Come listen to Kristin share her experiences in Talley Student Center Ballroom at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 21. Be challenged to explore your needs and wants and to look deeply at what you already have to be a sustainable leader in your organization, your relationships, and your life in simple, positive, and profound ways.
WHEN: 4:00 p.m. - Tuesday, February 21
WHERE: Talley Student Center Ballroom
COST: FREE!
Co-sponsored by the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service and the University Sustainability Office.
CHASS Job & Internship Fair
The CHASS Job & Internship Fair is this coming Wednesday, February 15, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM in McKimmon. 75 employers have signed up to come. All majors are welcome.
Undergraduate Research Speed Dating
Feb. 9, 5-7 pm at Talley Ballroom, Information at http://go.ncsu.edu/researchspeeddating and http://www.facebook.com/events/342029822498185/
Special Seminar - Soil Science
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
2215 Williams Hall
The TVA Kingston Coal Ash Spill—Overview of the Response and Recovery Effort, Research Underway, Current Status, and Plans
Neil E. Carriker and William J. Rogers, Tennessee Valley Authority
Abstract
The December-2008 coal ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant was unprecedented in scale. More than 5 million cubic yards of material spilled, completely filling an embayment and overflowing into the Emory River, completely blocking a 30-ft deep channel. This presentation provides an overview of the response to this spill and the authorities under which clean-up is occurring. It describes the multi-disciplinary monitoring and research underway to chemically and toxicologically characterize the spilled ash, investigate geochemical and hydrologic processes influencing movement of ash and ash contaminants, and evaluate potential ecological of this large-scale accidental release of coal combustion products to the Emory River. Initial results indicate some increased bioaccumulation of contaminants associated with ash, but observed ecological effects have been relatively small, considering the volume of material released. Continuing monitoring and research will focus on potential long-term environmental effects.
Internship: NC Solar Center
The NC Solar Center is searching for a student intern to assist with marketing and communications projects.
The internship will begin January 2012 and will be on a volunteer basis or for class credit.
For more information about the position, including how to apply, visit: ncsc.ncsu.edu
Rooted in the Mountains: Valuing Our Common Ground
2nd Annual Symposium Integrating Indigenous Science, Health, and Environment
October 20-21, 2011
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Keynote speakers:
Jeff Biggers and Dennis Martinez
For more information, visit our website:
NC State University Open House
The Environmental Sciences Academic Program will be at Open House next Saturday! We will also have an information session during Open House at 12:15 pm in Park Shops Room 210.
NC State University Announces the Nineteenth Annual Ethnographic Field School, Summer 2012
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
May 25 - July 15, 2012
Environment, Health, Heritage, Identity, and Globalization in Mayan Communities
Field school website: http://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/wallace or through the NCSU Study Abroad Office website: http://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/
EPA announced the 9th Annual P3 Awards
The EPA announced the 9th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design
Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the
Planet.
Solicitation can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2012/2012_p3.html
Graduate Intern Position - Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Chancellor Oblinger has pledged via the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to reduce green house gas emissions at North Carolina State University. This Commitment requires the University to develop a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions within one year of adopting the Commitment. Facilities Operations is currently tasked to develop the campus carbon inventory for the North Carolina State University's Main Campus, Centennial Campus and Centennial Biomedical Campus. To meet this challenge Facilities Operations is requesting applications from self-motivated Graduate Students in the College of Engineering, College of Natural Resources, or the College of Management to apply for a position to help develop this inventory. This role will provide an opportunity for the successful applicant to: interact with and obtain data from various organizations in the University, establish contacts and relationships within the University and University Administration, provide input into the process for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, and develop a carbon inventory for a large, multifaceted organization. Applicants should have strong analytical aptitude, good communication skills, a general understanding of environmental issues, well developed organizational habits, and an ability to generate reports and technical documents. The Inventory must be completed by February 2012. If interested please submit a resume, including a list of graduate courses completed or in process, to Jeff Hightower at jeff_hightower@ncsu.edu
Waste Reduction and Recycling Internship
There is one internship opening in the Office of Waste Reduction and
Recycling (WRR). WRR is looking for a creative multifunctional and
motivated NC State University Student to join it's already existing
internship team. This internship will provide the right candidate with
knowledge of the WRR industry along with the following skills: general
outreach, data analysis and presentation, program coordination. The job
would be 8-10 hours per week. More details on responsibilities:
http://ncsu.edu/facilities/recycling/internshipjob.php
Undergraduate Research "Call for Proposals"
Student-led Event Aims to Help Others Learn about Careers in Sustainability
NC State students in all disciplines interested in learning more about sustainability and how that translates into career opportunities are invited to a one-day conference to be held Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the NC State McKimmon Center. Participants may register for the full day or individual sessions. Lunch will be provided. This event has been organized by Net Impact, a student organization based in the NC State Poole College of Management, with the goal of reaching out to all college students in the area interested in helping to create a socially and environmentally sustainable world. Leaders of Triangle-area businesses, industry and government units will talk about sustainability practices in their organizations and be available to network with participants. There is no cost to attend but registration must be completed by October 13. To read more about this event and register, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3c2dh5j
Sustainability Office Internships
There are two internships available in the Sustainability Office - an Outreach and Communications Internship and a Graphic Design Internship. The Sustainability Office hopes to have a student 10 hours per week in each position and move the positions to 20 hours per week as needed.
Internship announcement: http://go.ncsu.edu/sustainabilityintern
FREE GRE Sample Course
The NC State Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society will host a "FREE" GRE Sample Course hosted by Kaplan. The class will be offered as part of a Golden Key general membership meeting, yet is open to all NC State students. * Students must register in order to determine course material needs.
To register, RSVP's should be sent to ncstategk@gmail.com
What: FREE GRE Sample Course
Date: Thursday September 8, 2011
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: SAS Hall Room 2229
* For additional information about Golden Key International Honour Society, please view the following link:
www.joingoldenkey.org
NC State Study Abroad Fair
Join us for the NC State Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, September 15th in the Talley Ballroom from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm! This is a great chance to learn about all of the study abroad options available here at NC State. Almost all of our 2012 Summer and Spring Break programs will be represented, along with tables for all of our semester study abroad options. This is an ideal opportunity to meet NC State students who have returned from studying abroad and who are eager to share their experiences. Faculty directors who lead programs and study abroad advisors will also be available to answer questions. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information about the fair and our programs, visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NCStateStudyAbroad
Regional Summit on Sustainable Solid Waste Practices & Research, September 7 - 8, 2011
EREF is holding a Regional Summit on Sustainable Solid Waste Practices & Research on September 7-8 in Raleigh. Suitable for executives, managers, technical personnel, regulators, consultants, students and academia, EREF’s Regional Summits present key solid waste research findings and highlight impacts on practice as well as provide updates on legislative activities/policy as they relate to needed research. This particular event will feature a special session on landfill gas to energy and includes a bus tour of the Black Creek Renewable Energy Facility in Roseboro, NC.
Registration for the Regional Summit is free of charge for academia and students. More information, including online registration, can be found at http://erefdn.org/index.php/events/eventinfo/september_2011_regional_summit/
Book Presentation: Builders of Hope: A Social Entrepreneur's Solution to Rebuilding America
October 9, 2011 from 3 - 4 pm
Wanda Urbanska talks about her new book, Builders of Hope: A Social Entrepreneur's Solution to Rebuilding America. By using innovative reuse and rehabilitation, we can increase the availability of high-quality, safe, affordable housing options. She is also the author of Simple Living and Nothing's Too Small to Make a Difference. Free. Quail Ridge Books is in the Ridgewood Shopping Center on the corner of Wade Avenue and Ridge Road, across the street from Meredith College. For more information, call 919-828-1588, or go to http://www.quailridgebooks.com/hours-directions
Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference
This conference will feature youth sharing their successes and lessons learned as they stopped proposed coal plants, pushed bills through state legislatures, and won campus clean energy campaigns. Speakers will also include: author and naturalist, Janisse Ray; Energy Action Coalition Co-Field Director, Ethan Nuss; and Kari Fulton of the Environmental Justice Climate Change Initiative. The conference will also provide a place for new relationships to be built and plans to be created for future action to address the challenges we face with energy, climate change, and environmental destruction. The conference is being put on by the Southern Energy Network and the UGA Go Green Alliance.
Where: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
When: October 1-3
http://climateaction.net/ssre
USGBC NCSU Student Group
There is a general interest meeting for the United States Green Building Council at NC State, open to all disciplines/majors, Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 at 6 pm in 1911 Building Atrium (at the head of the Court of the Carolinas). Refreshments will be served.
Gulf Duty
By now you’ve probably seen the pictures from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill—officially the worst disaster of its kind in history. Experts and alumni from NC State are in the Gulf assisting with the ongoing efforts to clean up the spill and restore the wildlife and local beaches. Three offered to share their experiences: U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Cameron Cooper; Dr. Greg Lewbart, professor of aquatic animal medicine; and Dr. Greg Massey, a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Clinical Sciences who’s an expert on caring for oiled wildlife.
Two NC State Veterinarians Head to Gulf
Two NC State veterinarians and a veterinary technician headed south this week after receiving an emergency request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for marine animal experts to assist in the Gulf Coast oil spill response. They join an NC State avian expert already in the field.
Dr. Greg Lewbart, professor of aquatic animal medicine; Dr. Craig Harms, associate professor of aquatic, wildlife, and zoologic medicine; and Shane Christian, marine animal veterinary technician, are working with the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans to rescue sea turtles who have encountered the spill. The affected species include the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles, loggerheads, and hawksbills.
They expected to remain in the region for at least two weeks.
Avian expert Dr. Greg Massey is also working along the Gulf Coast rescuing pelicans and other sea and shore birds as part of an ongoing relationship with the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.
Watch the WRAL video report.
Link to story: http://www.ncsu.edu/faculty-and-staff/bulletin/2010/06/vets-head-to-gulf/
Internship Opportunity
Centralina Council of Governments in Charlotte, NC
North Carolina Prepares for Effects from the Gulf Oil Spill
Like you, Gov. Bev Perdue and the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety are concerned about any potential impacts to North Carolina from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Current forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continue to predict a remote chance that oil could threaten our coast. Still, we want to be sure we are ready for any disaster that may impact our state. That is why various state and federal agencies have been actively meeting for weeks to discuss and plan the state's response if oil from spill should reach our coast.
Who is Responsible for What
The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency in charge of response if oil should threaten North Carolina's coastal waters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the lead for threats to inland waters. The N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety's Emergency Management Division is the lead state response agency while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would be the lead technical advisory group for any response efforts. For more information about North Carolina's response plan, download the fact sheet.
Ideas for Alternative Response Technology
Ideas for any technology or services to help with the incident are being coordinated through the Incident Command System. To submit alternative response technology, services or products call (281) 366-5511 or email horizonsupport@oegllc.com.
More Information
Unified Command's website about the coordinated response www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
Volunteer Information: (866) 448-5816 or see www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/542499/
Frequently Asked Questions:
www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/52435/
Link to Article and More Information: http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/index2.cfm?a=000003,000010,001921
NC State Experts Can Offer Insight into Gulf Oil Spill
For Immediate Release
The recent British Petroleum oil spill will have a major environmental impact on the U.S. Gulf Coast, and beyond. North Carolina State University experts can address issues pertaining to the spill, from how ocean currents may carry it beyond the Gulf, to how long and difficult the clean-up process may be, as well as effects on tourism and the economy.
Dr. Thomas Birkland, the William T. Kretzer professor of public policy, 919/513-7799, mobile 518/229-8814 or tom_birkland@ncsu.edu, is an expert on disasters and environmental policy, and has extensively studied oil spills including Exxon Valdez. He can discuss the government’s response to the oil spill including factors that delayed response time and the changes to law on oil spills since the Exxon Valdez spill.
Dr. Gene Brothers, associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management, 919/515-3699 or gene_brothers@ncsu.edu, is an expert on tourism and can address the implications of the oil spill for tourism along the Gulf Coast and on the N.C. coast.
Dr. David Eggleston, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, 919/515-7840 or eggleston@ncsu.edu, is an expert on marine fisheries ecology and conservation. He can address potential impacts of the Gulf oil spill on the crabs, oysters and fish populations in the affected areas.
Dr. Craig Harms, associate professor of clinical sciences, 252/222-6339 or craig_harms@ncsu.edu, is an expert on aquatic wildlife. He can discuss the impact of the spill on marine wildlife, including endangered species such as sea turtles.
Dr. Ruoying (Roy) He, associate professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, 919/513-0249 or ruoying_he@ncsu.edu, is an expert on coastal circulation dynamics. He can discuss ocean circulation in the Gulf and how it will affect the spill.
Dr. Chris Osburn, assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, 919/515-0382 or chris_osburn@ncsu.edu, is an aquatic biogeochemist who studies the sources and transformations of organic matter in river, estuarine, and coastal marine environments. He can discuss the environmental impact of the spill on the salt marshes along the Gulf Coast.
Linda R. Taylor, lecturer in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, 919/513-3972 or lr_taylor@ncsu.edu, can speak about the training and certifications required for those who work to clean up oil spills, as well as what that training entails.
Dr. Roger von Haefen, associate professor of agricultural and resource economics, 919/924-3935 or rhhaefen@ncsu.edu, believes that there may be a modest rise in gas prices due to the oil spill, and that there will be a major lawsuit brought against BP that may rival the Exxon Valdez lawsuit.
ACC Symposium: Eurasia in a Shifting Global Context
Bill Winner, Katelyn Bishop, and Gary Blank from NC State University contributed a paper to the ACC Symposium, Eurasia in a Shifting Global Context. The Symposium was held at Koc University in Istanbul, Turkey, June 18-21, 2009. The authors contributed a paper entitled, Environmental Academic Programs: New Approaches for a New Environmental Agenda, to be published with conference proceedings. The paper explains educational constructs for environmental education, describes a new environmental agenda, and lays out the challenges of revising existing environmental science academic programs. Also, the paper shows some of the environmental academic programs at all of the ACC institutions.
Environmental Science Curriculum
This is a draft version of a revised curriculum for the ES degree. The document is only a starting point for discussions and is simply intended to streamline, but not short-cut, the process of curricular revision. The document is the third draft produced after several weeks of work from an informal writing group that includes eight faculty members from eight colleges, and William E. Winner.
The process of revising the ES curriculum is to be inclusive, and all your comments are welcome. Two meetings, open to all interested faculty members are scheduled:
Wednesday, April 22, Noon, Faculty Senate Chambers
Monday, April 27, Noon, Faculty Senate Chambers
The meetings are opportunities to provide input on the draft document, with the next steps to be decided after discussion and collecting input. Please feel free to share the draft of the curriculum with those you think interested, encourage discussion and participation at the two meetings, and provide your thoughts to Katelyn Bishop or William E. Winner at any time.
Environmental Science Curriculum Draft 3
Student Town Hall Meeting
Student Town Hall Meeting to be held Thursday, March 26 from 5-7 PM at the Student Senate Chambers in Witherspoon Hall. This meeting will be to discuss the process of revising the existing degree in Environmental Sciences, and to gather input from the students about what their "ideal degree" would look like. Dr. William E. Winner, Coordinator for the academic programs in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, will open the meeting with a short summary of the current state of the Environmental Sciences degree programs. Students should come prepared with ideas for how to make the degree attractive to future students while providing an educational experience that is modern, innovative, and a gateway to the kinds of careers and future studies that lie ahead.
Environmental Sciences Faculty Meeting
On March 9, 2009 an open meeting was held with Dr. William Winner and faculty that was interested in learning more about how they could be involved in the re-vitalization of the Environmental Sciences degree programs. To read the summary of the meeting, please click here. If you are interested in playing a role in this re-vitalization please fill out the Application for Membership in the Environmental Sciences Faculty form and return it to Katelyn Bishop, Campus Box 8008 or at katelyn_bishop@ncsu.edu.
Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources Office Opens
NC State is proud to announce the opening of a new office to coordinate activities for students and faculty members involved with the academic programs that lead to undergraduate degrees in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources. The new ESNR Office, located in Jordan Hall, will serve as a central point of contact for all members of the NC State campus community interested in the environment and natural resources. It will also be a clearinghouse for information about activities and resources across the University, in North Carolina, and beyond.
