Forum of Women in the Environmental Field

 FWEF EMAIL IS: envforum@fwef.org

Check out the following environmental news sources, organizations, and venues. Want to add to the list?  Click here to submit information!

EVENT THIS WEEK

•  Wednesday, October 26, 2:30-6:00 pm.  Attend the first ever University of Minnesota Student Sustainability Symposium!  Over forty students from eight different colleges will be sharing their sustainability research. The event will kick off with a keynote address from Leo Raudys, Senior Director of Environmental Affairs for Best Buy with poster presentations to follow in two waves (3:00 – 4:30 and 4:30 – 6:00). Attendees can come and go as they please, we just ask that you register to ensure we have enough food and to ensure we are in a large enough space for the keynote.
  

INTERESTING OPPORTUNITIES

• Interested in visiting with high school students about your career and how you got to your current position?  If yes, consider participating in the AFSA High School's College and Career Fair on Friday, November 11!  The Academy for Sciences & Agriculture engages learners in academically rigorous student centered learning experiences and leadership opportunities within an agricultural context. Our focus is on the development of life-long learners who have high skill levels, care for others, and are prepared to thrive in a diverse, global, and changing society. Family involvement, community support and partnerships with agribusiness and educational organizations will be emphasized.  For more information on how you can take part in the career fair, contact Emily Campbell Johnson, Assistant Director/Director of Special Education, AFSA High School: ejohnson@agacademy.com; (p)651-209-3916

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS 

• Friends of the Mississippi River - Check out their calendar for events, including cleanups, educational programs, restoration projects and even large-group service outings! Upcoming events include the Vermillion River, National Public Lands Day Cleanup on Sept. 24, Seed Collection at the Sand Coulee/Rare Prairie on Oct.8, Riverside Park Habitat Restoration on Oct. 15 and plenty of other great family-friendly outdoor actitivities. 
• The Minnesota Zoo presents the Our Backyard/Our World Speaker Series.  "This free series introduces you to experts in local and global wildlife conservation and environmental issues. Registration will open one month prior to each event. Space is limited for these free events."  Upcoming topics include The Science and Culture of Wolves, and African Lions in the 21st Century.  

SEMINARS AND TRAININGS

• Horticulture seminars at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  "Fine-tune your plant knowledge or learn a new gardening skill from expert instructors. The instructors are Arboretum staff, University of Minnesota scientists, and other invited guest speakers. The Arboretum gardens serve as classrooms and laboratories which make the classes especially unique."  GMO's: What Consumers Should Know Saturday, October 29, 2011 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

NEWS

• Full Circle Superior is a journey around a lake led by two people with a passion for adventure and nature. Please visit this website to learn more about former FWEF Board member, Kate Crowley, and her amazing journey.
• Association of State Wetland Managers: Monthly Wetland Breaking News online with wetland-related news, legislation, jobs, & conferences. National-level association for people interested in wetlands. 
• Doodle: A web-based scheduler useful for very small groups. Free and simple to set up and use for business or personal events.
• Environmental News Network: Online services including daily feature stories, a free press release service, and publications of environmental news.
• GreenBiz News: Repository of articles and practical tools for building the business case and taking action on the environment.

ORGANIZATIONS

Sustainability

• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): "AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Our mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. We do this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research."

Water

• Friends of the Mississippi River: Works to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities. They list fun, educational events and activities.

Networking

• Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists: promotes the wise use of soil resources, conducts two meetings each year featuring soils topics and provides networking for soil scientists and anyone interesting in soil.
• Minnesota Wetland Professionals: Association sponsors local educational forums and an annual conference and field trip.
• Association for Women Geoscientists Minnesota Chapter: The Association for Women Geoscientists is an international organization devoted to enhancing the quality and level of participation of women in the geosciences and to introduce girls and young women to geoscience careers. Membership is open to anyone who supports AWG's goals.
• Live in Wisconsin? Check out the Wisconsin-version of the Forum of Women in the Environmental Field: Wisconsin Women Environmental Professionals!

Government 

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Provides information and assistance on environmental issues, including use of pollution prevention practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulationinvolving air quality, surface and groundwater, and solid and hazardous waste.

Recycling/Reuse

• Minnesota Waste Wise: A resources for businesses to find ways to reduce, reduce, and recycle as well as saving money.
• Recycling Association of Minnesota:  The Minnesota affiliate of the National Recycling Coalition and the state organizer for America Recycles Day.
• Buythechange: Classifieds with a Conscience: buythechange strengthens communities by enabling goods and services to be bought and sold in a way that connects people, promotes independent businesses and benefits local non-profits.
• practicegreenhealth.org: a tremendous asset to health care facilities who desire to change practices toward more sustainable ones.

Other

• Women's Earth Alliance:  Unites women on the frontlines of environmental justice causes by coordinating training, technology, and financial support for thriving communities and Earth.
• University of Minnesota Mentor Program: Consider giving back to the environmental field by being a mentor of an undergraduate college student within the College of Ag, Food and Natural Resource Sciences.  A rewarding experience for both student and mentor, allow the opportunity for others to learn from your experiences.  Great for the resume! 
  
• Women's Environmental Institute:  The Women’s Environmental Institute at Amador Hill is an environmental research, renewal and retreat center designed to create and share knowledge about environmental issues and policies relevant to women, children and identified communities especially affected by environmental injustices; to promote agricultural justice, organic and sustainable agriculture and ecological awareness; and to support activism that influences public policy and promotes social change.
• Tricia and the Toonies: "The Toonies" is a unique mixture of music, puppets, skits and laughter, which has made it one of the most talked about family stage shows in the mid-west. Critics young and young-at-heart highly acclaim this exciting, interactive and fun-filled musical adventure.  Book Tricia and the Toonies today for your eco/green/sustainable event today!
• Deep Portage Learning Center:  Deep Portage Learning Center is a residential environmental learning center, fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Thousands of students visit Deep Portage each year to take part in environmental and conservation education programs.  Deep Portage serves groups, organizations, area residents and visitors with weekly classes, interpretive programs, wildflower garden displays, weekend retreats and study groups, land use demonstrations, summer camps, and recreation opportunities of birding, hiking, hunting, and skiing. Deep Portage is available for school visits, organizational meetings and training, family educational adventures, weekend retreats, and teacher workshops. Groups can conduct their own agenda, or as most do, utilize the expertise of the Deep Portage faculty and accredited curriculum.
• Good Guide: GoodGuide provides the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.  Find safe, healthy and green products that protect you and your family.  Search or browse over 70,000 food, toys, personal care, & household products to see what’s really beneath the label.  Find better products and make purchasing decisions based on what’s important to you.
• Celadonna:  Celadonna is a marketing agency that specializes in supporting businesses who are themselves environmentally sustainable.  We can help you develop your identity package, communications strategy and all supporting marketing collateral including electronic, Web and print.  Visit our Web site: www.celadonna.net for more information.

Places/Local Food

• Midwest Mountaineering: Located in the Cedar-Riverside area, Midwest Mountaineering is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, providing the best gear and clothing for adventure travel, backpacking, canoeing, cross country skiing, frisbee golf, hiking, ice climbing, kiting, mountaineering, nordic skating, nordic walking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, telemark skiing, ultralight backpacking, and whitewater kayaking. The Outdoor Adventure Expo boasts 100 free presentations and 70+ exhibitors.
• St Paul's Farmer's Market: Twin Cities have many great options for fresh, LOCAL food. From organic coffee, to live music, to fresh meats, cheeses, plants, and produce, the St Paul Farmer's Market has something for everyone, including FREE parking! OPEN YEAR 'ROUND!!!
• Dodge Nature Center: Tour native prairies, rent a green building facility, or visit their sustainable farm. There are a lot of fun activities for kids and family all year 'round!
• Mississippi Market: With 2 locations of local and organic foods, friendly staff and it's own coffee shop, it's no wonder this Co-op is a favorite for many. Save money with in-store specials and manufacturer's coupon. Samples are frequently given out-check out this wonderful Co-op!
• Como Zoo and Conservatory: Whether you have kids, looking for a date idea, or just wanting to stroll through tropical plants, this place has it all. Visit Chloe the Sloth in the Tropical Encounters exhibit or inhale the aroma within the Sunken Garden. A treat for all ages!
• Trotter's Cafe and Bakery:  At Trotter's they never use additives or preservatives. They are committed to providing you with the best and freshest products. They make it here "from scratch" everyday - from stocks for our soups, dressing for salads, to wholegrain breads and delicious baked goods.  As always, Trotter's uses the highest quality local and organic ingredients.  They support sustainable practices. They encourage less packaging and more recycling. And Trotter's gives you a discount when you bring your own container (coffee, salad, soup).
• StoneBridge Beef: As a farm we raise and sell grass-fed beef directly to roughly 300 individuals and families here in Central Minnesota.  We also provide ag-ed opportunities to groups and organizations.