Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy
Graduate and senior-level undergraduate students are invited to apply for this University of Illinois at Chicago interdisciplinary program that explores a broad spectrum of sustainability and energy related topics including policy, economics, health, science, engineering, environment, urban planning, business and entrepreneurship. Themed "Election 2012: Energy, Economics and Environment," the August 2012 institute will use the presidential election as the point of departure for a critical analysis of national energy and sustainability issues. For fullest consideration, applications should be submitted by June 1.
Sustainable Engineering Workshops
These Syracuse Center of Excellence workshops, slated for June 4-5 and June 7-8, 2012, will include interactive and hands-on sessions that address sustainable engineering concepts, ways to incorporate these concepts into courses, comparisons of sustainable engineering education at schools across the country, federal programs for research and education funding in sustainable engineering, and building a community of educators in this emerging topic. Applications will be accepted beyond the April 15 deadline until space is filled.
USGBC Survey: CC Green Building Courses, Training Programs
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Pearson Education are asking community college faculty, deans and program directors to participate in a survey that will help the organizations better serve community colleges with relevant green building education and training opportunities for students. Those who complete the survey by April 20 will be entered into a raffle to receive a trip to USGBC's 2012 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.
Call For Abstracts & Reviewers: AASHE 2012 Conference
(Worldwide): AASHE invites the higher education sustainability community to submit abstracts for its AASHE 2012 Conference and Student Summit, slated for October 14-17 in Los Angeles. AASHE is looking for innovations, activities, frameworks, learning outcomes or leadership initiatives that will help change the face of sustainability on campuses. AASHE is also looking for more than 250 volunteer abstract reviewers to help determine the highest quality programming for the conference. The deadline to submit an abstract and/or apply to be an abstract reviewer is April 23.
Call for Papers: Mathematics of Planet Earth Special Issue
Submissions are sought for the November 2013 issue of the College Mathematics Journal, which will be devoted to the "Mathematics of Planet Earth." Papers that address the mathematical aspects of climate, meteorology, ecology, epidemiology, resource management and biodiversity are encouraged. Areas of human interaction with the earth are also of interest including economics, finance, politics, communication, sustainable development and disaster management. Classroom capsules and student research projects are welcome. Authors are encouraged to write the editor at cmj@oberlin.edu describing their proposed paper first, and submissions will be accepted through December 20, 2012.
Contribute to a Growing Body of LEED Higher Ed Projects
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) invites best practices, strategies and lessons learned from the higher education community for its "LEED Stories from Practice" online library. Selected project profiles also have the opportunity to be featured in additional USGBC programming.
Student Opportunity: 'Students vs. Trash' Poster Design Contest
Hosted by the Environmental Finance Center with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this contest seeks poster designs from college students with a "call to action" to eliminate waste, recycle more or stop litter. "Top Trash Conquerors" will be recognized at a gallery/press event in New York City in November 2012 and have the opportunity to meet with officials from EPA Region 2.
U Winnipeg Global College Climate Change Institutes
Two institutes offered through the University of Winnipeg’s Global College in May will explore issues within climate change mitigation and adaptation. "Climate Change and Human Displacement" will examine involuntary migration caused by climate change and "Women and Climate Change" will look at the impact of climate change on women and their ability to develop short- and long-term strategies of mitigation and adaptation.
Earth Island Institute Brower Youth Awards
Young activist leaders ages 13 to 22 living in North America are encouraged to apply for the 13th Annual Brower Youth Awards. Applicants are asked to share the story of how they helped build the green movement in their city, state, or nation. Six applications are chosen annually to receive a $3,000 cash prize, all-expenses paid trip to San Francisco to speak at the awards ceremony, media coverage and year-round support. Applications will be accepted through May 14.
Midwest Sustainability Across the Curriculum Workshop
Open to all higher education faculty members interested in teaching college-level sustainability in the context of any discipline, this workshop will be held June 7-8, 2012 with presentations, exercises, discussions, reflection and planning. Hosted by the University of Minnesota system, this workshop aims to help faculty integrate sustainability themes and ideas into new or existing courses, lectures, class exercises or other curricular components.
Call for Papers: Sustainability Accounting, Mgmt & Policy Journal
(Worldwide): Emerald Group Publishing Limited invites papers that address higher education's role in addressing key challenges of social, economic and environmental sustainability for a special issue of its Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. Professors and administrators from institutions including Leuphana University Lüneburg (Germany), University of Graz (Austria), University of Western Sydney (Australia) and Albukhary International University (Malaysia) will guest edit the "Effective change management, governance and policy for sustainability in higher education" issue. The submission deadline is December 1, 2012.
Transformative Education for Sustainable Innovation Program
(U.S.): Foresight Design Initiative, a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to urban transformation, is recruiting for its Foresight Immersion summer program that trains emerging/transitioning professionals to be sustainability change agents. College graduates looking to gain experience to professionals accelerating their career development are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted through April 2.
U.S. Dept of Energy Solar Power Research Funding
(U.S.): Higher education institutions are invited to apply for a U.S. Department of Energy funding opportunity to develop innovative heat transfer fluids for use in concentrating solar power (CSP) energy systems. The funding is part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative-a program designed to advance research, accelerate technology transfer into the marketplace and educate scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary areas. Applications are due by April 19.
USGBC Green Classroom Certificate Program
(U.S.): The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched a green classroom professional certificate program for School of Education students and others who are interested in turning the classroom into a healthier, more environmentally responsible place to work and teach. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to recognize, adopt and implement practices that promote health among students and school occupants.
Vote for Your Favorite Higher Education Climate Leader
(U.S.): Second Nature has selected the finalists for its 3rd Annual Climate Leadership Awards. The public is invited to determine the most innovative climate leader by voting for their favorite video submission now through April 14. Campuses with the top votes will be featured at Planet Forward's national Moving the Planet Forward conference.
Win a 'Date with History'
(Worldwide): Climate Nexus and the Natural Resources Defense Council have launched a “Win a Date with History” contest as part of the Rio+20 Earth Summit at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Youth between the ages of 13 to 30 from around the world are invited to submit a short video speech expressing their ideas for how to stimulate decisive action on sustainability. The winner will deliver their speech at the summit. Submissions are due May 6 and online voting continues through May 15.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Ithaca College (NY) offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess their organization's green policies and practice, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year. Next two session start dates: March 22 and April 19. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Next seminars include "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Infrastructure," "Integrating Sustainability into Training and Curriculum" and "Communicating the Organization's Sustainability Efforts."
Submit Your Ideas for Improving STARS
AASHE is soliciting feedback from those with a working knowledge of its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Whether suggesting a new STARS credit or improvements to existing ones, now is the time to share ideas. Comments will be reviewed and considered by staff and technical advisors in anticipation of the launch of STARS 2.0. Feedback is due by March 30.
Call for Applications: USGBC Community Green Chairs
The U.S Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools is recruiting five mid-career professionals to serve as Community Green Chairs. These volunteer chairs will work with USGBC National to support green building education and training efforts at community colleges, and will lead the development, implementation, management and growth of Community Green program activities in their region. The deadline to apply is April 6, 2012.
Student Call for Proposals: Rio+20 Collaborative Workshop
Yale University (CT), Fundação Getulio Vargas and the University of Massachusetts Boston are partnering to host a collaborative workshop during the Rio+20: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Student teams are invited to submit proposals for ambitious-yet-achievable campus-based projects. Two or three student representatives from selected projects will be invited to attend this half-day workshop where students will engage in peer-review and receive feedback from practitioners and officials attending Rio+20. The deadline for submission is April 2.
Student Opportunity: Focus the Nation ReCharge! Retreat
Clean energy leadership development organization Focus the Nation is accepting applications for its 2012 ReCharge! Retreat. The annual retreat brings together 20 rising clean energy leaders from across the country for one week on Mt. Hood in Oregon. Delegates explore skills that they will need to stay committed to clean energy throughout the entirety of their careers. Delegates receive support after returning while applying what they learned to their campus communities. Applications are due April 1.
U Massachusetts Boston Biomimicry Workshop
The University of Massachusetts Boston is hosting a summer "Biomimicry: Nature's Guide toward Solutions" workshop at the Nantucket Field Station/Grace Grossman Environmental Center. Open to junior and senior undergraduate students, this workshop will be held June 3-16, 2012. Participants will explore environmental issues and related sustainable design strategies.
UN Conference on Sustainable Development Declaration
Leaders of the international academic community are invited to sign a declaration in advance of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development committing to the development of sustainable practices for higher education institutions. Signatories of the declaration agree to teach sustainable development concepts, encourage research on sustainable development issues, "green" their campuses and support sustainability efforts within their communities.
Call for Entries: Citizens' Summit for Sustainable Development
The Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (CT) seeks applications for its U.S./Canada Citizens' Summit for Sustainable Development, slated for March 24-25, 2012. Leading to the upcoming 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the summit will bring together emerging leaders from academia, business, civil society, government, and politics to generate new knowledge, policy and action for sustainability in the U.S. and Canada. Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis but space is limited.
Call for Entries: Green Living Project Student Film Competition
Green Living Project invites submissions for its Student Film Project. The competition encourages students to submit films of five minutes or less that share a unique, creative and compelling story about a local or global sustainability-related project. Sample sustainability topics include wildlife conservation, sustainable food, resource conservation, community development, renewable energy, sustainability-related education and sustainable travel and tourism. The submission deadline is May 25, 2012. Winners will be screened at Green Living Project's Washington D.C. Film Premiere in June.
Call for Submissions: Student Sustainability Film Festival
The Media Institute for Social Change invites submissions for its third annual Student Sustainability Film Festival. Students can submit short films about what their campus or community is doing to make it more sustainable for a chance to receive cash prizes and be shown at various campus and conference screenings. Entries are due by May 17, 2012.
Student Opportunity: MobilizeU Competition
AASHE has partnered with Earth Day Network for the launch of MobilizeU, an international collegiate competition calling upon students to mobilize their campus communities around four weeks of environmental activism surrounding Earth Day 2012 (March 29 - April 29). Students worldwide are encouraged to join the movement as a regional coordinator or school coordinator and organize activities including campus clean-ups, new voter registration drives and Earth Day events. Coordinators will share a photo or video documenting their efforts on the MobilizeU Facebook page.
U.S. Dept. of Education Seeks Successful EfS Case Studies
The U.S. Department of Education invites higher education institutions and nonprofits to provide examples of innovative and promising education for sustainability strategies, programs and practices. The department is seeking examples of sustainability curriculum or programs that have helped retain students and increase their completion of courses, degrees or certificates by April 30, 2012.
U.S. Dept. of Labor Job Training Grants for Community Colleges
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of up to $500 million in federal grants for job training programs at community colleges. Part of a $2 billion program approved in 2010, the funds will be used to expand and improve education and career training programs that can be completed in two years or less. The deadline for applications is May 24, 2012.
International Sustainable Campus Network Excellence Awards
The International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) invites nominations for its fourth annual ISCN Excellence Awards. Categories include buildings, campus and integration. Award winners will be formally celebrated at the ISCN "Power of Partnerships" conference on June 20, 2012.
Win a Trip to Rio+20: United Nations Conference
The United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and Aarhus University in Denmark invite students and faculty to join the global PRME Leaders+20 case competition. Those who integrate sustainability perspectives into new or existing course descriptions and curricula, demonstrate an inspiring cross-generational cooperation between students and faculty, and present their team's innovative ideas in writing and video have a chance of winning the first prize trip to Rio+20: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012.
Clean Air-Cool Planet 2012 Fellowships
Clean Air-Cool Planet is inviting applications for its 2012 Fellowships program. The 10-week, full-time summer positions pair students with real-world projects to advance innovative climate change solutions and leadership. Fellows are provided mentorship, networking opportunities and a stipend. The deadline to apply is February 24.
Create a Regional Center of Expertise on Sustainable Development
The United Nations University is accepting applications for new Regional Centers of Expertise on education for sustainable development. A chance to learn from international partners working on sustainability, this network of formal and informal education organizations works to deliver education for sustainable development to local and regional communities.
Energy Department Clean Energy Workforce Training Grants
As part of President Obama's blueprint to help U.S. businesses cut energy costs, become more competitive in the global market and reduce pollution, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program have announced up to $1.3 million for clean energy workforce training programs. Higher education institutions can apply to partner with MEP Centers to create building efficiency training programs that are tailored to building operators, building managers and energy service providers. Applications are due March 30, 2012.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Ithaca College's (NY) online professional certificate program offers practitioners the ability to credential their work as sustainability coordinators or advocates on college campuses and in other organizations across professions. With the option to register for a single course or a six-course certificate, participants will learn to assess their institution's green policies and practice, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New classes begin 11 times each year. Each online class is 16 days long, but work can be completed anytime on any schedule. Next two session start dates: Feb. 23, 2012 and March 22, 2012. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Next courses include "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Policy and Practice" and "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Infrastructure."
Turn Out the Lights for Earth Hour 2012
The World Wildlife Fund is encouraging higher education institutions to raise awareness about the world's environmental challenges and empower students to make sustainable choices every day by turning off non-essential lights for one hour on March 31 in support of Earth Hour. Last year, Earth Hour reached 1.8 billion people from more than 5,000 cities and towns in 135 countries and territories across every continent. Students can register online to join the Earth Hour community and create an event.
American Wind Energy Conference Scholarships
The American Wind Energy Association is offering scholarships to attend its Windpower 2012 Conference & Exhibition, to be held June 3-6, 2012 in Atlanta, Ga. Those looking to enhance their knowledge of the wind industry are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted through March 16.
Call for Abstracts: Sustainability in Higher Education Conference
Webster University's (MO) Sustainability Coalition invites abstract submissions for its first annual sustainability conference. Themed "The State of Sustainability in Higher Education and our Role in Society," the conference will feature AASHE Executive Director Paul Rowland as the keynote speaker. Submissions for presentations and posters from St. Louis-area universities and colleges are encouraged in areas including environmental sustainability, social sustainability, economic sustainability, cultural sustainability and human rights. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 24, 2012.
Climate Studies Course for Minority-Serving Institutions
The National Science Foundation is supporting a long-term partnership between the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and Second Nature to introduce the AMS Climate Studies course to 100 minority-serving Institutions nationwide. Faculty members will attend an expenses-paid, five-day course implementation workshop in Washington, D.C. to learn the latest in climate science. The implementation workshop, offered annually for a four-year period beginning in May 2012, will leverage the climate expertise of scientists from NASA, NOAA and many other D.C.-area educational and research institutions. Applications will be accepted through March 20 for the upcoming May workshop.
Environmental Leadership Program 2012 Fellowship
The Environmental Leadership Program is accepting applications for its 2012 Fellowship Program. Geared toward emerging environmental and social change practitioners who are looking to connect their specialized work to larger environmental and social concerns, the program offers intensive leadership and skill training, and regional networking opportunities. Three retreats and additional optional trainings help participants improve their strategic communications and strengthen outreach tactics to diverse constituencies. The application deadline is April 2, 2012.
Global Sustainability Initiative International Project Teams
The College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech's Global Sustainability Initiative is inviting applications for a series of international projects designed to provide graduate students and professionals with hands-on experience exploring sustainability challenges around the world. Participants are organized into consulting teams to examine the complexities and solutions for sustainable development in a variety of international contexts. Applications to join a project team in China, South Africa and Russia are currently being accepted.
Opportunity to Shape the Vision of STARS 2.0
AASHE's STARS Steering Committee is inviting comments on the draft version of STARS 2.0, the first major update of STARS since the release of STARS 1.0 in 2010. The draft vision is intended to respond to the many comments and suggestions that AASHE's STARS staff and committee members have heard from the campus sustainability community. While public comments are encouraged in the interest of transparency and to facilitate dialogue among interested parties, comments sent to stars@aashe.org are also welcome.
SJR Call for Papers: Green Workforce Development
Sustainability: The Journal of Record is looking for manuscripts and best practice case studies on the role community colleges are playing in green workforce development. Success stories with tangible results from green workforce programs, and partnership stories between community colleges and the private sector, and between community colleges and universities are encouraged. The manuscript deadline is April 1, 2012.
Student Opportunity: Focus the Nation 'Forums-to-Action' Program
Designed to develop new student leaders to drive solution oriented clean energy collaborations between their campuses and communities, Focus the Nation invites students to launch a Forums-to-Action (F2A) team on their campus. Requiring a weekly time commitment of four to 10 hours, the F2A program engages students in a rigorous, experiential learning, multidisciplinary curriculum that culminates in a student-led project that addresses local clean energy needs.
Call For Presentations: AASHE 2012 Conference
The call for presentations for the AASHE 2012 Conference and Student Summit, to be held in Los Angeles, opens February 21. Sign up to receive more information about the conference and call for presentations. A complete submitters packet with instructions and detailed walk-throughs will be available for download when the call for presentations opens. AASHE 2012 is slated for October 14-17.
Philadelphia Student Opportunity: Social Business Leader Program
Ocean friendly retailer United By Blue has launched an on-campus opportunity for Philadelphia-area college students for the spring 2012 semester. Through its Campus Crew program, students will learn about running a sustainably minded business with the chance to participate in a brand design competition. The program will be offered nationwide in fall 2012.
Student Opportunity: Join the 'CliMates' International Think Tank
Students looking to expand their knowledge of climate issues are invited to join the CliMates international student think tank. With the goal of researching, debating and finding innovative solutions to climate destabilization, members interact online and will meet for the first CliMates conference in fall 2012. Created in 2011 by 30 Parisian students, CliMates aims to form delegations around the world including the U.S. and Canada. Professors and scholars can also join the project as associated experts, reviewing the work of the delegations.
Sustainable Farming, Local Food Systems Summer Practicum
In cooperation with the environmental studies program at Tompkins Cortland Community College (NY), the Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming will offer a summer practicum in sustainable farming and local food systems. Held May 31-June 26, 2012, participants will explore issues affecting social justice and sustainability of agriculture and food systems through readings, discussion, lectures, field trips, labs and immersion in the actual work of operating a sustainable small farm. The practicum is designed for students from any discipline or non-students who are interested in learning more about sustainable agriculture, local food systems and small-scale farming.
Textbook Reviewers Needed: Help Educate for a Sustainable Future
AASHE is supporting partner organization DANS (Disciplinary Associations' Network for Sustainability) and the Mobilizing Disciplinary Societies on Behalf of our Students and our Planet initiative to answer the demand from educators and students for sustainability-related materials in all disciplines. Major textbook publishers Cengage and McGraw-Hill are currently looking for reviewers who can suggest ideas about how to educate for a sustainable future. These ideas will be used as examples and themes in textbook revisions by the publishers. Anyone involved in education for a sustainable future - in any academic discipline - interested in this opportunity can email their contact information to EducationForASustainableFuture@gmail.com (include contact's discipline in the subject line) and they will receive a follow up email with more details. Reviewers will receive remuneration for their work.
Ars Electronica 'Next Idea' Art and Technology Grant
Higher education staff and students with innovative campus sustainability projects from around the world are encouraged to apply for Ars Electronica's "Next Idea" grant. The art and technology grant invites submissions for "new and extraordinarily promising ideas" in the form of artistic, social, technological and/or scientific innovations. The Austria-based digital media organization seeks to nurture projects that deal with energy, mobility and access in relation to the future of humankind. Submissions will be accepted through March 2, 2012.
