Scholarship Opportunities for UVM Students

The following are a few scholarship opportunities for ENVS and UVM students:

1. Gilman Scholarship– for study abroad

2. Udall Scholarship-for sophomores and juniors

3. Truman Scholarship– for juniors

1. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDY ABROAD 
Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad program costs, and a limited number of Critical Need Language Scholarships are given each year for a total award of $8,000. The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Southern Regional Center in Houston, Texas.

Applications for Fall 2014 study abroad scholarships are due March 1, 2014. In order to be eligible to become a Gilman Scholar:

-Applicants must be a U.S. citizen undergraduate student.
-Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of study abroad.
-Applicants must be applying to a study abroad program eligible for credit at UVM.
-Applicants must be studying abroad for a minimum of 4 weeks in one country.
-Study abroad program can take place in any country that is not on the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Warning List or Cuba.

For more information contact Fellowships Director Brit Chase at 802-656-4658 or britten.chase@uvm.edu.

2. UDALL SCHOLARSHIP 
The Udall Scholarship is for sophomores and juniors who are committed leaders and who are dedicated to pursuing a career related to the environment or conservation. The Udall Scholarship exists to support the next generation of environmental policy experts, engineers, scientists, and activists.

The Udall Foundation was founded in 1992 to honor the legacy of former Congressman Morris Udall. Mo Udall is considered by some to be one of the most productive legislators of the 20th century; after winning a special election for Arizona’s 7th House seat in 1961 (he replaced his brother, Stewart, who was named President Kennedy’s Interior Secretary), he went on to serve in Congress for 30 years, where he wrote, fought for and passed landmark conservation legislation (Including the Alaska Lands Act and the Arizona Wilderness Act). As a Congressman, Udall was extremely adept at building a political coalition to support legislation in the areas that mattered most to him, and those areas were the environment and Native American policy. When he retired from Congress in 1991 he was considered to be perhaps the most important environmental political leader of his time.

In the spirit of honoring Udall’s legacy, the Udall Scholarship seeks to find and support the next generation of environmental leaders. Unlike Udall, these future change makers do not have to come from the political arena. The Udall Foundation seeks leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics.

In 2014, 50 Udall Scholarships of up to $5000 and 50 honorable mentions of $350 will be awarded to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.

Udall Scholarship Competition Timeline:

Campus deadline: January 31, 2014
Campus Committee interviews/nominations: February 4-8
Nominations Announced: February 8
Application Revision: February 8-February 28, 2014
National Deadline: March 5, 2014
Scholars Announced: April 1, 2014

For more information, contact: Fellowships Director Brit Chase (britten.chase@uvm.edu, 802-656-4658)

3. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP 
The Truman Scholarship exists to support the next generation of public servants and public policy experts. It is awarded to juniors who are dedicated change makers who have records of leadership and public service, are in the top quarter of their class and have a demonstrated interest in a career in government, non-profit or related public service at the federal, state, or local level. A Truman Scholarship is one of the most lucrative graduate awards available, and will provide up to $30,000 during graduate school. US citizenship or permanent resident status required. Interested students will begin the Truman application process during the fall of their junior year. UVM can nominate up to four students to participate in the Truman competition. Campus deadline: November 21, 2013.

Up to 65 Truman Scholarships are awarded nationally each year to juniors who are planning to pursue a career in the public service sector including (but not limited to) the government, non-profit organizations, public policy think tanks, education, and public health agencies. If awarded a Truman Scholarship, a student will receive a $30,000 scholarship for graduate school. In exchange for that scholarship, the student commits to working in the public sector for at least three years.

The Truman is a nationally competitive scholarship. In addition to the money, the award will open doors to incredible academic opportunities down the line including other fellowships, scholarships, graduate school acceptance, and job opportunities.

The University of Vermont can nominate up to four students for a Truman Scholarship each year.

Competition Timeline:

Campus deadline: November 21, 2013
Campus Committee interviews/nominations: Early December, 2012
Nominations Announced: Mid-December, 2013
Application revision: December-January 31, 2014
Final Deadline: February 4, 2014
Finalists Announced: Early March
Scholars Announced: March 31, 2014

For more information, contact: Fellowships Director Brit Chase (britten.chase@uvm.edu, 802-656-4658)

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Food Day at UVM!

All around the country on Thursday, October 24, people will be celebrating healthy, affordable, and sustainable food, as well as grassroots efforts to change food policy. This Food Day, please join UVM in some fantastic foodie festivities!

10am Tour of the Intervale Center (180 Intervale Road)
A first-hand look at the Intervale Center’s innovative programs, including
the Intervale Food Hub, Intervale Conservation Nursery greenhouses, and
the Intervale farmer complex.
Hosted by the Intervale Center

11am-3pm Real Food tasting (Davis Center Atrium)
Sample local, fair and ecologically sound food, meet the people behind the products, and find out where you can get them on campus!
Hosted by University Dining Services and the Real Food Challenge

2pm Gallery tour of EAT: The Social Life of Food (Fleming Museum)
Join student docent Nicole Bull for a gallery tour of this student-curated exhibition.
Hosted by the Fleming Museum

4:15-5:15pm Lecture: Will Rapp  (Aiken 102)
The founder of Gardener’s Supply will discuss “Sustainable Agriculture and Energy.”
Hosted by the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

5:30-6:30pm Lecture: Josh Farley (Kalkin 001)
UVM professor Josh Farley will discuss “Redefining Agricultural Efficiency.”
Hosted by the UVM Food Systems Initiative

7pm Documentary: The Dark Side of Chocolate (Kalkin 001)
Learn about the social consequences of chocolate production and sample fair trade chocolate.
Hosted by Slow Food UVM

And… Real Food Entrees will be served at lunch and dinner in ALL dining locations!

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!
Learn more about the national event

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INTERNSHIP: The Morgan Horse Farm History Project

VERMONT RESEARCH INTERNSHIP: THE HISTORY OF THE MORGAN HORSE FARM

In this project, the student researcher will help write a short history of UVM’s Morgan Horse Farm, conducting original research to provide a detailed timeline, bibliography and outline of the history of the farm in Vermont.

Students can conduct the internship for pay or for academic credit (depending on their department). Hourly wage is $10 an hour and the selected student will be expected to work from 75-150 hours over the course of the internship during the fall semester 2013 and spring 2014.

Prerequisite for Vermont Research Internships: Good writing and thinking skills as demonstrated through classes taken, grades, papers written and other related.

General Learning Objectives

* Learn basics of conducting original research

* Work with in a professional environment to conduct research

* Learn all aspects of a small non-profit research center

* Learn about Vermont and Vermont research

 

To APPLY

Cover letter, resume, three references and an example of your writing (3-5 pages) to Richard Watts, Assistant Research Professor at CDAE  & Director, Center for Research on Vermont to rwatts@uvm.eduby October 16, 2013.

The Center for Research on Vermont is an interdisciplinary network of scholars and community members promoting and celebrating the study of Vermont.

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EVENT: “Battle for the Elephants” at Ira Allen Chapel, Oct. 17th

Please join the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Wildlife Conservation Society for a special screening and discussion of National Geographic’s “Battle for the Elephants”

When: Thursday, October 17, 2013, 4:00 pm (doors open at 3:30)

Where: Ira Allen Chapel, University of Vermont

Following the screening will be a panel discussion on solutions to stopping the ivory trade and decimation of elephant populations with:

  • John Heminway, writer and director of this award-winning film
  • Joshua Ginsberg, Senior Vice President of the Global Conservation Program of WCS
  • Laura Neme, local author and international consultant on wildlife and natural resources
  • Jame Deutsch, Executive Director of the Africa Program of

The issue of elephant poaching in Africa right now is at a record high, literally decimating the species.  The number of elephants alive today is the smallest number ever recorded.  An elephant is killed every 15 minutes for their tusks, with an estimated 36,000 being slaughtered each year.  If the killing continues at the current level, elephants could be extinct in a decade.  On September 26th, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a new global initiative to protect Africa’s wild elephants from poaching.  This ecological crisis is also increasingly connected to global security crises through links between the ivory trade and militia/terrorist groups.  Wildlife trafficking is one of the largest illegal trading activities in the world, after drugs and guns.  According to Peter Seligmann, the CEO of Conservation International, “Poaching has become an enormous problem and one of the most profitable criminal activities there is.  It’s destabilizing to nations, it’s a threat to security forces and it’s a serious loss for local economies that depend on wildlife.” (Time, Sep. 26)

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Arava Institute: Environmental Study Abroad in Israel

Looking for a unique study abroad opportunity in Israel?

Come discover an experience that combines cutting-edge environmental academics and research with dialogue about conflict resolution.

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is the leading environmental education and research program in the Middle East, and offers the only academic program in that region for students of all nationalities, including Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, to live and learn together in an immersive, cross-cultural setting.

When you study at the Arava Institute, you not only learn about environmental issues from leading professors but also build a network of friends and colleagues who come from around the world, bringing a diverse array of cultural, religious, and political perspectives.

Interested in applying? Learn more at http://arava.org/academics/.

We also have a variety of internship opportunities:

http://arava.org/academics/internships/.

 

Connect with us on social media:

http://www.facebook.com/aravainstitute

https://twitter.com/aravainstitute

Please contact Sarah Rubin, Program Manager, at Sarah@friendsofarava.org for more information.

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Ian Worley Awards for Creative and Independent Thinking in Environmental Studies

Do you have a creative idea you’d like to pursue?  Would you like to work on an unusual approach to addressing environmental issues?

The Environmental Program is announcing the establishment of the Ian Worley Awards for Creative and Independent Thinking in Environmental Studies, a special awards program named after Ian Worley, who served as Director of the Environmental Program from 1994-2008 and first came to UVM in 1972 as a professor in the Botany Department of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Who can apply? – Any imaginative undergraduate major or minor in Environmental Studies, any undergraduate enrolled in a 200-level ENVS course, and UVM faculty members who regularly teach Environmental Studies courses.

When can I apply? – Applications are due November 1, 2013. 

How much money can I request? – Between $500 (minimum) and $2000 (maximum).

The intention behind this fund is to recognize students and faculty whose inspired, novel and creative ideas have led them to seek innovative paths in pursuing environmental goals.  To encourage such independent thinking and creativity, this fund seeks to award those students and faculty members for their proposed or ongoing creative pursuits in addressing environmental topics.  Establishment of the Fund was inspired by Professor Ian Worley’s creative approach to problem solving and inquiry and initiated in the spirit of fostering creative, integrative, imaginative and innovative approaches to dealing with the environmental challenges that face us.

We hope to see some terrific ideas coming our way this month!  Please email Stephanie Kaza with any questions– skaza@uvm.edu

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INTERNSHIP: Environmental Living and Permaculture Design in Costa Rica

The Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living & Education offers a Permaculture Design Course and Environmental Living Internship, which is open to students of all ages from all over the world.

The Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education is one of the most extensive organic permaculture farms in Costa Rica. Located on the Southern Caribbean coast, we have 85 beach front acres of primary, secondary and established food forests. We grow over 200 species of exotic fruits trees, we have identified over 125 medicinal plants and have numerous food, construction and ornamental species. Located in the heart of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge we have abundant wildlife, extensive coral reef, our beach is one of the prime nesting zones for the leatherback and green turtles and we have 3 species of dolphins offshore. Over the past 18 years we have hosted thousands of students, from junior high school through graduate levels as well as all kinds of adult learners who come to Punta Mona to be immersed in off-the grid, environmentally conscious living.

In a Permaculture Design Course and Environmental Living Internship students gain practical field skills in sustainable design, energy systems (solar and water collection), land use and holistic food practices. They will come out with a clear understanding of the principals and philosophy of permaculture and how it can be applied in urban, suburban and rural settings. In this course we discuss triple bottom line business, ecological ethics and policy and community and personal development.

Students can sign up for the 3 week permaculture design course (which at the end students will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate) and they can then may stay on for the full 10 week internship living and working here in Punta Mona. There are two opportunities like this each year, in the Winter and Summer.

We also host many student groups and are available to customize and guide educational excursions throughout Costa Rica as well.

When: January and June 2014

Contact Sarah Wu, Co-Director at contact@puntamona.org

 

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BEYOND UVM: Green Infrastructure Webinar, 9/26 at 2:30pm

Webinar: Valuing Green Infrastructure: Economic, Environmental, and Social Benefits

Presented by Hal Sprague, Manager of Water Policy, Center for Neighborhood Technology

When:  Thursday, September 26, 2013

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Where: Your Computer

Register: http://tinyurl.com/ktznv96

Overview: The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a 35-year old organization that develops tools and methods for sustainable economic development.  In 2011, CNT and American Rivers developed “The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits.”  The guide is a tool that municipalities can use to quantify the multiple economic, environmental, and social benefits provided by green stormwater infrastructure (GSI).  Municipalities have often struggled to quantify GSI’s monetary benefits. However, any cost-benefit analysis comparing gray infrastructure with GSI is incomplete if it fails to factor in the multiple benefits that only GSI uniquely delivers. These benefits are above and beyond the basic stormwater control benefits, which are assumed to be equal to a similar investment in gray infrastructure.  “The Value of Green Infrastructure” brings together current research on green infrastructure performance and presents methods for calculating related benefits in water management, energy, air quality, climate, and community livability.

Hal Sprague from CNT will walk us through the development of the guide and how it can be used to promote greater GSI implementation in Vermont cities and towns.

About the Presenter: Hal has been at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, in Chicago, since May 2008, and is Manager of Water Policy at CNT. He researches and promotes policies that increase the use of sustainable water management strategies and practices in urban communities, such as water conservation and stormwater green infrastructure. Hal earned a master’s degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Colorado. Prior to joining CNT, Hal practiced environmental law for 23 years, including positions at U.S. EPA, a major law firm, and a multinational corporation.

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INTERNSHIP: Changing Planet Internship, Charlotte Central School, VT

Help educate the environmental leaders of the future!

Announcing the “Our Changing Planet” Internship at Charlotte Central School (CCS)

Synopsis:  Help third graders [ 7 and 8 years old ] understand that the Earth is always changing and that we have a dynamic relationship with our planet.  Learn to use hands on activities to help children investigate forces of nature and their part in the planet’s story.  Then use Jan Reynolds’, “Vanishing Cultures” series and your knowledge of ecosystems and the environment to take the children on a journey to indigenous cultures on one of the continents.  Help the children become experts on a specific biome and indigenous culture.  Guide them in making connections between the land, its climate, plants, and animals, and the development of that culture.  Explore how planetary changes and technology are changing the traditional way of life for the people they studied.

When:  Fall Semester 2013        Dates:  August 26th – December 13th
Number of Internships Positions:  2
Credits:  6  or use as a senior project / thesis

Contact Person:  Cher Feitelberg, M. Ed.  cfeitelberg@gmail.com

Inquiry Meeting Options
Monday, August 26, 2013 at Stonehedge Townhouses  OR  at TBA as a result of match day for NR 206  OR  inquiries based on this posting on the Environmental Studies site
Please email Cher at cfeitelberg@gmail.com  to confirm your interest in the internship

*A fun way to do this internship is sign up with a friend!*

Time Commitment:

Offsite partner prep time and independent reading

On CCS campus time:
Mondays from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Pre-planning Session with Cher
Wednesdays  12:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Small group [ 4 or 5 students & you] lessons and research facilitated by you
Fridays   7:30 – 10:30 a.m.   Hands on Science Labs or Project Time facilitated by you  [8 – 10 children:2 interns  or   a 4 – 5:1 experience]

Quick Overview
Most of your work will focus on small groups of 4 or 5 children.  During the first 8 – 9 weeks of school we will explore the structure of the Earth, the forces of nature, and the rock cycle.  We will work primarily as a whole intern / teacher team.  This will provide you with the support and time needed to build your skills as an environmental teacher / leader.  In the second half of the semester, you will work with the same small group of children each week.  You will be their teacher / leader as they investigate and analyze a specific biome and culture.  The children will form groups of 4 – 7 students and pick which biome or culture they want to research and explore:  The Sami [reindeer people of Norway], the Mongolian horse people of the steppe, the Tuareg [Blue People of the Sahara (camels)], The People of the Yak [Himalayas],  or the Masai [the People of the Savannah].  Check out Jan Reynolds  http://www.janreynolds.com/

Professional Development Outcomes for You
Experience in designing and leading investigations and inquiry activities for children
A professional portfolio to use in job interviews of activities and skills you have developed
Experience in teaching and facilitating small group instruction of young children
Professional collaboration and teamwork skills

Posted in Internships, Vermont/New England | Leave a comment

INTERNSHIPS: Apply by 8/30! Paid Internships with Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program

CALL FOR INTERNSHIP APPLICANTS: DUE FRIDAY AUGUST 30th

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (UCF), a program of the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, works to promote the stewardship of urban and rural landscapes to enhance the quality of life in Vermont communities.  This fall we are seeking three fall interns to assist in coordinating and implementing three specific projects:

  • Vermont Big Trees Program
  • Vermont Village Greens Initiative
  •  Energy-Saving Trees Educational Program

These internships are paid and include an additional stipend for self-designed professional development. 
Contact: Elise Schadler, Community Service & Involvement Coordinator, VT Urban & Community Forestry; elise.schadler@uvm.edu or 802-656-5480
Timeline: September – mid-December 2013 (15 weeks; negotiable)
Location: based in Burlington; some travel required for each internship
Commitment:  10-20 hours/week, based on intern availability; course credit optional

Compensation: $10/hour that will come in the form of a stipend, paid out twice over the course of the internship; includes an additional stipend specifically for professional development


Internship Descriptions:

 1.    Big Tree Program

Vermont’s Big Tree Program was started in the 1970s to locate and recognize the biggest trees in our state.  There are currently 110 species and varieties on Vermont’s Big Tree list and trees are scored based on circumference, height, and crown spread.  In 2008 the Big Tree Program’s founder, retired professor Jeff Freeman, gave his files and the responsibility of maintaining the Vermont Big Tree List over to Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.

 We are seeking intern support to revitalize this program by digitizing, organizing, and cataloging Freeman’s files, ground-truthing and documenting existing trees on the Vermont Big Tree List, and scoring and awarding trees that have been submitted to the Big Tree Program but have not yet been scored.  Tree ID and an understanding of basic forest field measurements required.

2.    Vermont Village Greens Initiative

Vermont’s village greens lie at the physical and cultural heart of our communities.  We are beginning to work on a project with the Vermont Downtown Program to document, assess, and observe the historical and current environments of village greens in Vermont.  This exploration – which will span narrative, historical research, ethnography, photography, and videography – will shed light on the physical and cultural significance of village greens and town forests in Vermont and will ultimately result in a final report and presence on the UCF website.

We are seeking intern support to design, coordinate, and assist in implementing the Vermont Village Greens Project.  This will be a leadership role in guiding the direction and momentum of this project and will involve working with students in service-learning courses at UVM.  The tasks involved with this internship potentially include: researching historical documents and writing historical narratives, inventorying trees, cataloging natural features, taking photographs and collecting historical and contemporary photography of sites, making and/or collecting maps, performing interviews with key stakeholder, and developing comprehensive case studies on the greens. 

3.    Energy-Saving Trees Program

This new initiative is being developed in partnership with Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) to promote and educate on the energy-saving benefits of trees to K-12 schools in Vermont. The program will offer curriculum about trees and energy conservation, and allow teachers and students to explore their own school grounds for opportunities to use trees for conservation. Classes will have the opportunity to apply for funds to support strategic tree planting on school grounds. 

The UCF program will hire an intern to support this work, focusing on developing the classroom curriculum that will involve research and writing as well as assisting with program development, messaging and outreach.  This program is only just getting off the ground and this internship is an opportunity for a leadership role in this program. Interest in environmental education and experience in a classroom setting are preferred.

 

Minimum expectations/qualifications for all three internships:

  • Passion for understanding and enhancing the ways that humans interact with their natural environments
  • Basic tree biology and tree identification
  • Basic understanding of PC computing, a willingness to attempt troubleshooting when necessary
  • Attention to detail; efficient and effective organization skills
  • Effective communication skills, particularly writing
  • A self-directed individual who is willing to ask questions and wants to be successful in even the smallest task
  • An optimistic and positive presence when interacting with the public on UCF’s behalf
  • Ability to take on a diverse set of tasks and complete them efficiently independently
  • Access to personal transportation (you will be reimbursed for personal travel)
  • Junior standing
  • Joie de vivre

How to Apply
If you are interested in interning with UCF this fall semester, send your resume, a brief letter of interest indicating your major and which internships you are interested in, a sample of your writing, and contact information for two references to elise.schadler@uvm.edu by Friday August 30th.

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