News Headlines
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Government Building Energy Retrofit whose Savings More than Paid for the Work
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The Clark Museum Energy Retrofit
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350 MA en Español
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Climate Summer and Ride for the Future
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UMass Keystone Project Accepting Applications
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Open Positions at the New Economy Coalition
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Employment Opportunity at the Mass Sierra Club: Chapter Director
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Summer Environmental Education Internship at Project Native
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Want a Williams College Summer Intern?
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Grant Opportunity for Nonprofit Leaders: March 1
Government Building Energy Retrofit whose Savings More than Paid for the Work
A Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) building energy-retrofit project (after the Empire State Building) was the infamously inefficient—government office building in Indianapolis. Many had tried to fix it. But both money and ideas were limited, and it was still a potential gold mine of energy waste when RMI was invited to help. That was in 2009. One year later, Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard announced energy-efficiency upgrades for the building expected to reduce energy consumption 35 percent annually. Design-build firm Performance Services executed the retrofit under a performance contract that guaranteed $750,000 in energy savings per year for 15 years, completing the $8 million project at no cost to taxpayers. By 2012, the City-County Building had reduced its annual energy use by 46 percent and earned prestigious ENERGY STAR certification.
The Clark Museum Energy Retrofit
Another Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) project was a real challenge: the Clark Museum on the campus of Williams College in Massachusetts. At Clark, RMI was brought in after a design for a significant addition and retrofit was already almost complete. Way too late, we thought. But we wanted to test what was possible in this “worst case” situation where the key was a motivated owner (supported by a significant donor).
The problem in a building such as a museum is achieving energy savings while maintaining a strictly controlled internal environment that protects art and artifacts in a curatorial environment. RMI identified and recommended opportunities to double HVAC energy savings compared to the design team’s energy model. Needless to say, the Clark (and RMI) donor backing the work was very happy … and recently sent a note saying so. The results are in, and the energy savings are rolling in as expected.
350 MA en Español
¿Hablas español? ¿Quieres trabajar para combatir el cambio climático global? ¡Esta es tu oportunidad! 350 Massachusetts esta lanzando una campaña en español. Si deseas participar, manda un correo electrónico a coordinator@350MA.org y dínos como puedes contribuir. ¡Queremos oír de ti!
Climate Summer and Ride for the Future
Climate Summer is Better Future Project’s leadership development program for young adults who learn by doing. Participants engage communities across New England as educators, activists, and organizers as they travel exclusively by bicycle, calling for action on climate change and fossil fuels in communities across the region. Climate Summer riders work in small teams, connecting with, learning from, and supporting community leaders who are actively addressing society’s addiction to fossil fuels by crafting local solutions that strengthen communities. Riders bring with them a movement-building perspective, empowering those they meet and helping to highlight the important work of partner organizations by attracting local media attention and generating social media content. Applications are still being accepted! Forward this to any potentially interested young adult. Climate Summer website and application. Ride for the Future website and application.
UMass Keystone Project Accepting Applications
The Keystone Project is an intensive, 3-day, retreat style training at the Harvard Forest which focuses on forest ecology and stewardship, wildlife management, and land protection. The training consists of both indoor and field sessions, as well as informal time to learn from fellow participants. In addition, each participant is given substantial take-home resources.
The Keystone Project educates forest owners and community leaders who have a significant impact on their communities. Keystone Cooperators can own forestland, be involved in the care and stewardship of a property, or be an active community leader.
In return for this valuable educational opportunity, participants agree to return to their communities as a local resource and commit at least 30-hours of time to a conservation project(s) of their choosing.
This spring, the program will take place on: Thursday evening, April 3rd, through Sunday afternoon, April 6th, 2014 at the Harvard Forest in Petersham. The application deadline is: Monday, March 3rd, 2014.
The Keystone Training will be held thanks to generous support from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Service Forestry program, Harvard Forest, and UMass Extension.
For more information about Keystone or to download an application please visit, www.MassKeystone.net. Contact Paul Catanzaro (cat@umext.umass.edu) or 413.545.4839 if you have any questions.
Open Positions at the New Economy Coalition:
Director of Organizing, Racial and Economic Justice Initiative
The position will include responsibilities for mobilizing new and existing resources to develop a new program, the Racial and Economic Justice Initiative. This will include organizing within the existing New Economy Coalition and recruiting new members to form a coalition advisory group for the program, and supervising the execution of internally facing and externally facing components of the program including curriculum/training, re-granting and leadership development. This is a full time position with benefits. Learn more and apply »
Youth and Student Network Organizer
The position will include responsibilities for proposal selection, coordination and organizing support for youth and student microgrant program; development of youth and student leadership in the New Economy Coalition; strategic deployment of resources to grow existing relationships with college and university groups and to build new relationships with youth organizations, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color; and recruitment, program development and organizing support for youth and students at the June 2014 New Economy Coalition convening. This is a full time position with benefits. Learn more and apply »
Communications and Online Organizing Coordinator
The position is an opportunity to work with a growing communications team to use narrative story telling, strategic public relations, and online organizing tactics to broaden the movement for a just and sustainable economy. The function will include responsibilities for the development and execution of the program’s various communications strategies and social media campaigns. The person in this position will be responsible for raising the profile and broadening the reach of the Youth and Student Network program through the use of strategic communications and online organizing. Learn more and apply »
IT and Data Systems Coordinator
The position will be responsible for the coordination and oversight of the organization’s IT and data systems. It will involve working closely with NEC’s Operations and Communications teams. This is a part-time position based in Cambridge, MA. Learn more and apply »
Operations Intern
All Operations positions are a blended role handling administrative tasks, data management, project coordination and finance. You will be responsible for supporting our whole management team, reporting to Operations but also occasionally working with other senior staff and the President to keep things running tightly and smoothly as we approach our national conference in early June. This is a paid, part-time position (10-20 hours per week). Learn more and apply »
Employment Opportunity at the Mass Sierra Club: Chapter Director Job Description
The Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter office is located in downtown Boston, three blocks from the State House. It is a branch of the “National” Sierra Club, whose US headquarters is San Francisco, CA. Our chapter is one of 63 branch offices.
The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 and is the largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the country with over 1 million members. The Sierra Club helped establish and expand national parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and has worked for decades helping to pass major legislation like the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Here in Massachusetts, we have a 40-year legacy of protecting the environment with successful legislative, advocacy, and educational campaigns.
The Chapter Director helps provide direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives. He/she formulates and implements the strategic and operational plans as well as programs adapted by our national office. The Director reports to the Chapter Executive Committee, which provides overall governance for the Chapter’s activities.
Job Activities:
- Develop, implement and manage the Chapter’s short and long term strategic, programmatic and financial goals and objectives.
- Design, implement and support legislative activities that reflect the Chapter’s goals and priorities. Lobby the State Legislature and represent the Chapter to elected officials.
- Plan and implement fundraising programs and donor activities. Develop and maintain relationships with major donors.
- Work with small-scale information systems to assist Chapter administration.
- Maintain liaison with elected officials, government agencies, environmental groups and other relevant organizations.
- Develop a public relations program and maintain contact with the media.
- Recruit, manage and motivate members and volunteers.
- Assist in planning and implementing core conservation efforts and programs.
- Develop programs that promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.
- Communicate with National to ensure that the Chapter is in compliance with national guidelines.
Skills:
- Experience – at least two years of experience in lobbying, grassroots organizing, coalition building, fundraising, working with volunteers or comparable experience.
- Leadership – will have shown the ability to lead, including oral and written communication and public speaking.
- Finance and fundraising – will have a demonstrated ability to fundraise and manage Chapter finances.
- Personality – the candidate must be open and communicative and able to be comfortable in varying situations.
- Legislative – have knowledge of the State’s legislative process is preferable.
- Implementation – have demonstrated ability and effectiveness to achieve specific goals while working with volunteers.
Education:
- A master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or similar is desirable.
Salary Range:
- Base salary $62,500 to $75,000 plus benefits.
To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements, to employment@sierraclubmass.org
Summer Environmental Education Internship at Project Native
Project Native is seeking two environmental education interns to help manage the Butterfly House garden and insects, guide visitors through the house, and plan and facilitate children’s programs. We prefer a college student in an environmental education or life sciences degree program.
Butterfly House Interns will work closely with Project Native staff to maintain the butterfly habitat in the house and the gardens around it, give tours and talks, and help present the butterfly safari program. We are looking for someone who loves to learn and teach, and is especially good at working with children and seniors.
Responsibilities include:
- Stocking the house with caterpillars and butterflies so visitors can experience the lifecycle of a butterfly and its dependence upon native plants for breeding and feeding.
- Learning and teaching the lifecycle of butterflies and moths.
- Learning and teaching people to identify the native plants that are host plants and nectar plants for native butterflies.
- Accompanying children and adults on butterfly safaris to find butterflies and caterpillars, collect them, and relocate them to the Butterfly House. The safari will follow the trails through Project Native’s seed bank, meadows and woods. In the process of learning to identify caterpillars and butterflies, participants will also learn the habitat, plants and conditions they need to survive.
- Caring for the plants, butterflies and caterpillars in the Butterfly House.
- Developing and implementing new educational outreach programs based around the Butterfly House.
Skills required for the position include:
- Public speaking and storytelling, ability to talk to visitors about native plants and wildlife.
- Effective verbal communication skills: in person, in writing and by email.
- People management: giving directions, guiding groups, answering questions.
- Time management: following a schedule and completing tasks on time. Ability to prioritize as issues or opportunities arise. Self-directed worker.
- Ability to explain concepts like sustainability, ecosystem, biodiversity, conservation, habitat loss, definition of “native” and “invasive.”
- Familiarity with plant biology and plant care.
- Working knowledge of the role of insects and pollinators in an ecosystem.
- Desire to handle and care for insects and plants.
- Comfortable spending long hours outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Physically fit, able to lift 30 lbs. safely, able to hike through woods, stamina for long walks.
Project Native is located in Housatonic, Massachusetts, which is in the Berkshires and part of the town of Great Barrington. We are in the southwest corner of Massachusetts, fifteen miles from Connecticut and ten miles from New York. The internship requires being present on-site five days a week, including weekends.
The Project Native team is composed of dedicated, knowledgeable people passionate about achieving the Project Native mission. We have five fulltime employees and an additional four seasonal staff members who work in the nursery and the nature shop. We maintain a positive, supportive atmosphere where people are encouraged to develop and pursue their ideas. As a growing organization there is always room for individuals to help direct future growth based on their own interests.
Project Native’s educational programs are based on hands-on, experiential learning. The dynamic, interactive nature of our programs provides an opportunity for interns to develop and build on a broad range of skills, from writing, oral presentation, and social media to education and event planning.
The property is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, to the public who come to walk the trails, shop for native plants, and visit the Butterfly House and nature shop.
Office hours are 9:00 to 5:00 M-F. The nursery and nature shop are open on Saturday 9:30 to 5:00 and Sunday 10:30 to 5:00. The Butterfly House is open 7 days a week, from 10:00 to 4:00. Our office is a farmhouse that also contains the office of a landscape architect and two apartments.
The new Executive Director will be the intern’s ultimate supervisor. On a day-to-day basis the intern may be working with and taking direction from David Ellis, the Operations Director, and Karen Lyness LeBlanc, the Education & Outreach Coordinator.
This position is five days a week, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, from the beginning of June through the end of August. Children’s programs take place on Saturday mornings. Intern will be required to work weekends. Compensation: $8/hour and potential for housing on site.
For more information or to apply send a resume and cover letter to Karen Lyness LeBlanc, Education and Outreach Coordinator, email kleblanc@projectnative.org.
Want a Williams College Summer Intern?
Do you need a summer intern? If so, please consider sending me an internship position description by the end of January. CES provides support to students who find unpaid environmental internships. They need to have a confirmed offer in order to apply for funding and the student application deadline is March 14. So, you’d need to make a firm offer by the first week of March, sooner is better!
Your internship posting ought to include: description of the work, dates (we fund from 3-10 weeks full time (we pay $380/week)), where the work is (eg: do they need to go on site every day or can they work from home some days?), do they need a car, and finally, if there’s housing, that will help. However, if not, students can live on campus if CES co-sponsors the internship. Let me know if you want to consider that as I like to help make that work for our local orgs.
CES cannot provide funding for jobs that are manual labor—the funding is from restricted endowments that all require the positions to be either academic, scholarly research, hands-on environmental work, planet-saving work, or environmental-career-oriented work. Positions that involve some manual labor but that also involve work described above, may be considered for funding.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Finally, please circulate this to anyone else who may want an environmental intern.
Associate Director, Lecturer in Environmental Studies
Williams College
Center for Environmental Studies
Harper House, Rm 10
413-597-4209
Grant Opportunity for Nonprofit Leaders: March 1
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is once again offering a sponsorship to Harvard’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, a program designed to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit directors to lead their organizations effectively.
The program will take place July 13-19, 2014 in Boston, MA. All applications must be received at Berkshire Taconic by Saturday, March 1 to be considered for admission. CEOs of nonprofit organizations with budgets over $500,000 are eligible to apply.
If you have additional questions, please contact Emily Bronson at ebronson@berkshiretaconic.org.