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Environmental News
Earth Week Activities! Earth Day was yesterday, but there are plenty of opportunities this week to celebrate, starting with Our Campus, Our Community, Our Environment tonight from 5-9 PM in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Posted Apr 23, 2012
KU Among Nation's Greenest Schools! The Princeton Review this week listed KU in its annual "Guide to 322 Green Colleges," which profiles higher education institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Posted Apr 23, 2012
Professor Kindscher to be honored by CTE! Professor Kelly Kindscher will be honored at this year's annual Celebration of Teaching reception hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence on April 30th at 4pm! Posted Apr 18, 2012
KU to host environmental security conference The University of Kansas is hosting the first Environmental Security Conference: Academic and Military Perspectives, which will run April 23-24 on its Lawrence campus. Posted Apr 4, 2012
Newly discovered plant-based molecules showing cancer-fighting potential To the casual observer, the wild tomatillo is just your everyday, run-of-the-mill weed.
But to University of Kansas scientists Barbara Timmermann, Kelly Kindscher and Mark Cohen, this common North American plant might be the key to a new line of cancer-fighting treatments based on molecules present in nature. Posted Apr 2, 2012
But to University of Kansas scientists Barbara Timmermann, Kelly Kindscher and Mark Cohen, this common North American plant might be the key to a new line of cancer-fighting treatments based on molecules present in nature. Posted Apr 2, 2012
EPA leader discusses pollution, stresses importance of regulations Posted Mar 14, 2012
KU unveils sustainability plan LAWRENCE – University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and the KU Center for Sustainability have announced the completion of Building Sustainable Traditions, the KU campus sustainability plan. Aspects of the plan will be the focus of events during KU Sustainability Week, which is Oct. 24-28. Posted Oct 19, 2011
Nature and Culture Seminar Susan Flader
University of Missouri, Columbia
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
Thursday, September 8
7:00-9:30 p.m.
Hall Center Conference Hall
Co-Sponsored by the Department of History and the Environmental Studies Program
If you would like more information about this or other Nature & Culture Seminar sessions, contact Byron Caminero-Santangelo (English, 864-2579, bsantang@ku.edu), Greg Cushman (History, 864-9449, gcushman@ku.edu), or contact the Hall Center at hchseminars@ku.edu or by calling 785-864-4798 Posted Sep 8, 2011
University of Missouri, Columbia
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
Thursday, September 8
7:00-9:30 p.m.
Hall Center Conference Hall
Co-Sponsored by the Department of History and the Environmental Studies Program
If you would like more information about this or other Nature & Culture Seminar sessions, contact Byron Caminero-Santangelo (English, 864-2579, bsantang@ku.edu), Greg Cushman (History, 864-9449, gcushman@ku.edu), or contact the Hall Center at hchseminars@ku.edu or by calling 785-864-4798 Posted Sep 8, 2011
Pharmacy students get hands dirty with educational medicinal garden Hands-on learning took on a whole new meaning Tuesday afternoon for Kansas University pharmacy students as they traded white lab coats for blue jeans and microscopes for shovels. The students were among the hundred or so people who helped plant the school's new educational medicinal garden just south of the KU School of Pharmacy building on KU's West Campus. Posted May 12, 2011
Campus departments recognized as 'green offices' by Center for Sustainability Green Office Recognition Program was established to raise awareness about sustainable practices in the office and highlight efforts to create more sustainable workspaces at KU. Posted May 12, 2011
North Richmond’s Diamond in the Rough Article in MetropolisMag.com written by KU students. Posted May 12, 2011
Creative Water Conservation Campaign Posted Apr 25, 2011
Sustainable Architecture Posted Apr 25, 2011
Congratulations to our Fall Graduates! Congratulations to all of our Fall graduates! We all enjoyed the event last night! To see photos of our potluck event, please visit our Flickr website. Posted Dec 10, 2010
Stacey Swearingen White Receives a Faculty Award for Her Sustainability Efforts FACULTY AWARD
Stacey Swearingen White, Associate Professor of Urban Planning, and Associate Director of Environmental Studies, was recognized with the Faculty Award for making sustainability an important part of campus culture by integrating concepts of sustainability into her classes, inspiring students to advance their education in environmental fields and supporting sustainability efforts on campus. Most recently, her courses have contributed to the Campus Sustainability Plan, “CAP-KU: A Climate Action Plan for the University of Kansas,” and she worked with Kansas communities on a range of sustainability-related issues. Swearingen White also served on the Sustainability Task Force that was established in 2004 and was a driving force behind the effort to create the Center for Sustainability.
“I’ve been honored to be part of KU’s progress on campus sustainability over recent years,” Swearingen White said. “Working with other faculty and students on these issues is really exciting, and shows how committed so many people on this campus are to making KU a sustainable institution. This year I am especially happy to have the opportunity to involve my students in the development of our campus sustainability plan, which can help position KU as a leader in this area.” Posted Nov 16, 2010
Stacey Swearingen White, Associate Professor of Urban Planning, and Associate Director of Environmental Studies, was recognized with the Faculty Award for making sustainability an important part of campus culture by integrating concepts of sustainability into her classes, inspiring students to advance their education in environmental fields and supporting sustainability efforts on campus. Most recently, her courses have contributed to the Campus Sustainability Plan, “CAP-KU: A Climate Action Plan for the University of Kansas,” and she worked with Kansas communities on a range of sustainability-related issues. Swearingen White also served on the Sustainability Task Force that was established in 2004 and was a driving force behind the effort to create the Center for Sustainability.
“I’ve been honored to be part of KU’s progress on campus sustainability over recent years,” Swearingen White said. “Working with other faculty and students on these issues is really exciting, and shows how committed so many people on this campus are to making KU a sustainable institution. This year I am especially happy to have the opportunity to involve my students in the development of our campus sustainability plan, which can help position KU as a leader in this area.” Posted Nov 16, 2010
Geography Professor and Courtesy Faculty Member of Environmental Studies to Receive Woodyard International Educator Award Peter Herlihy, Associate Professor of Geography and Courtesy Faculty Member of Environmental Studies at KU, is the recipient of the 2010 George and Eleanor Woodyard International Educator Award. This award recognizes faculty on the Lawrence campus who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening KU's international dimension in curriculum development, study abroad programs, relationship with international partner institutions and collaboration with international colleagues in significant research and publications. For more information, please see the link to the news article. Posted Nov 9, 2010
Monarch Watch Announces Bring Back the Monarchs Campaign "In real estate it's location, location, location and for monarchs and other wildlife it's habitat, habitat, habitat", said Chip Taylor, Director of Monarch Watch. Monarch Watch, started in 1992 as an outreach program dedicated to engaging the public in studies of monarchs, is now concentrating its efforts on monarch conservation. "We have a lot of habitat in this country but we are losing it at a rapid pace. Development is consuming 6,000 acres a day, a loss of 2.2 million acres per year. Further, the overuse of herbicides along roadsides and elsewhere is turning diverse areas that support monarchs, pollinators, and other wildlife into grass-filled landscapes that support few species. The adoption of genetically modified soybeans and corn have further reduced monarch habitat. If these trends continue, monarchs are certain to decline, threatening the very existence of their magnificent migration", said Taylor.
To address these changes and restore habitats for monarchs, pollinators, and other wildlife, Monarch Watch is initiating a nationwide landscape restoration program called "Bring Back The Monarchs". The goals of this program are to restore 19 milkweed species, used by monarch caterpillars as food, to their native ranges throughout the United States and to encourage the planting of nectar-producing native flowers that support adult monarchs and other pollinators.
This program is an outgrowth of the Monarch Waystation Program started by Monarch Watch in 2005. There are now over 4,000 certified Monarch Waystations - mostly habitats created in home gardens, schoolyards, parks, and commercial landscaping. "While these sites contribute to monarch conservation, it is clear that to save the monarch migration we need to do more," Taylor said. " We need to think on a bigger scale and we need to think ahead, to anticipate how things are going to change as a result of population growth, development, changes in agriculture, and most of all, changes in the climate," said Taylor.
According to Taylor we need a comprehensive plan on how to manage the fragmented edges and marginal areas created by development and agriculture since it is these edges that support monarchs, many of our pollinators, and the many forms of wildlife that are sustained by the seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and foliage that result from pollination. "In effect," Taylor argues, "we need a new conservation ethic, one dealing with edges and marginal areas that addresses the changes of the recent past and anticipates those of the future." http://BringBackTheMonarchs.org/ Posted Nov 1, 2010
To address these changes and restore habitats for monarchs, pollinators, and other wildlife, Monarch Watch is initiating a nationwide landscape restoration program called "Bring Back The Monarchs". The goals of this program are to restore 19 milkweed species, used by monarch caterpillars as food, to their native ranges throughout the United States and to encourage the planting of nectar-producing native flowers that support adult monarchs and other pollinators.
This program is an outgrowth of the Monarch Waystation Program started by Monarch Watch in 2005. There are now over 4,000 certified Monarch Waystations - mostly habitats created in home gardens, schoolyards, parks, and commercial landscaping. "While these sites contribute to monarch conservation, it is clear that to save the monarch migration we need to do more," Taylor said. " We need to think on a bigger scale and we need to think ahead, to anticipate how things are going to change as a result of population growth, development, changes in agriculture, and most of all, changes in the climate," said Taylor.
According to Taylor we need a comprehensive plan on how to manage the fragmented edges and marginal areas created by development and agriculture since it is these edges that support monarchs, many of our pollinators, and the many forms of wildlife that are sustained by the seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and foliage that result from pollination. "In effect," Taylor argues, "we need a new conservation ethic, one dealing with edges and marginal areas that addresses the changes of the recent past and anticipates those of the future." http://BringBackTheMonarchs.org/ Posted Nov 1, 2010
Man on a Mission Photos Tom Weis came to campus on his electric-assist bicycle to promote his efforts for 100% renewable energy by 2020. Posted Oct 15, 2010
Man on a Mission: Ride for Renewables Tom Weis, Climate Crisis Solutions, President
October 08, 2010
9:00am - 10:00am
Wescoe Hall, Wescoe Beach
Tom Weis will be at Wescoe Beach to discuss with Lawrence citizens about his trip to Washington DC pedaling a hybrid electric-assist bicycle 2,500 miles from Colorado to DC, as he starts a conversation around America's energy and climate policies - building grassroots support for green energy in hopes of 100% green energy by 2020.
Boulder Weekly
Climate Crisis Solutions
KTKA News
Salina Journal Posted Oct 8, 2010
October 08, 2010
9:00am - 10:00am
Wescoe Hall, Wescoe Beach
Tom Weis will be at Wescoe Beach to discuss with Lawrence citizens about his trip to Washington DC pedaling a hybrid electric-assist bicycle 2,500 miles from Colorado to DC, as he starts a conversation around America's energy and climate policies - building grassroots support for green energy in hopes of 100% green energy by 2020.
Boulder Weekly
Climate Crisis Solutions
KTKA News
Salina Journal Posted Oct 8, 2010
Total immersion: KU students spend summer in Indian forests as part of study abroad Students study abroad in India to get hands-on learning experience, while living in the forest of India. See article in LJ World for full story. Posted Oct 8, 2010
Undergraduate Research Awards Informational Meetings Several awards ($750 to $2000) are available to support undergraduate research from January-June, 2011
Informational Meetings:
Thursday, Sept. 23, 3:00 pm, Nunemaker Center
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 9:00 am, Nunemaker Center
Monday, Oct. 4, 12:00 pm, Alcove G, KS Union
Thursday, Oct. 7, 12:00 pm, Alcove G, KS Union
Information and applications can be obtained from their website.
Application Deadline: November 11, 2010 Posted Oct 7, 2010
Informational Meetings:
Thursday, Sept. 23, 3:00 pm, Nunemaker Center
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 9:00 am, Nunemaker Center
Monday, Oct. 4, 12:00 pm, Alcove G, KS Union
Thursday, Oct. 7, 12:00 pm, Alcove G, KS Union
Information and applications can be obtained from their website.
Application Deadline: November 11, 2010 Posted Oct 7, 2010
Undergraduate Ecology Club Forming Ellen Duffy, an undergraduate Environmental Studies student, and Dr. Joy Ward will be starting an undergraduate Ecology club. The main purpose of this club is to explore potential careers, research, and ways to get involved in ecology. The first meeting, Wednesday, September 29th will be an informational and organizational meeting with pizza provided and an election of potential speakers. All are invited to attend the meeting, which will be held in 8024 Haworth Hall at 7:00 pm on the 29th. Questions are welcome and may be sent to ellend@ku.edu. Posted Sep 29, 2010
Environmental Studies students contribute to student farm See article from the LJ World describing the work of some of our undergraduate students as they continue to establish the KU student farm Posted Sep 20, 2010
KU Potter lake project update A project that Environmental Studies undergraduates have contributed to for many years to restore Potter lake is featured in LJ World. Posted Sep 20, 2010
Environmental Studies faculty member, Kelly Kindscher, and his native plant project in the news See article in the Daily Kansan. Posted Sep 20, 2010
Staff changes at Environmental Studies Kim Le, long term administrative associate sr at the Program, will be stepping down. Samantha Reinblatt, as of Wednesday September 8th, is the new program secretary.
Message from Kim: thanks to students and faculty for making my time here at Environmental Studies truly excellent!
Message from Samantha: can't wait to meet you all! Stop by anytime. Posted Sep 8, 2010
Message from Kim: thanks to students and faculty for making my time here at Environmental Studies truly excellent!
Message from Samantha: can't wait to meet you all! Stop by anytime. Posted Sep 8, 2010
Land Institute Prairie Festival The Land Institute's annual Prairie Festival will be held in Salina September 24-26 this year. If you would like to attend, Environmental Studies is providing a van for transportation. We will leave campus Friday afternoon (24th) and return Sunday afternoon (26th). For students, registration cost is only $10 for the weekend. More information about the festival schedule and registration can be found on the Land Institute's website. If you are interested in riding in the van, please contact Bob Hagen (rhagen@ku.edu) to learn more or to reserve a seat. Posted Sep 3, 2010
Grassland Heritage Weeding The Grassland Heritage Foundation is taking volunteers to help remove purple loosestrife, an invasive weed, from areas in Lawrence.
Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the intersection of Atchison Ave. and Clinton Pkwy.
The team will be digging and disposing of the purple loosestrife that is growing in the drainage area on the southwest corner of the intersection. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your shovels, pruning tools, and gloves. Everything else will be supplied.
There is parking available on Atchison Ave., although carpooling is strongly recommended as the parking is in a residential area. Also, please be sure to use the available sidewalks rather than walking on the neighbors’ property.
Purple loosestrife has recently been sold as an ornamental plant, however, it has become a dangerous invasive which overtakes native plants in wetland areas. The Kansas Department of Ag. quarantined it in January, 2002. GHF and others are working to help the city of Lawrence eliminate at least some of the plants that are growing on city property.
GHF is a non-profit membership organization devoted to prairie preservation and education about our prairie heritage and native plants. If you want to help out please RSVP to Kim Bellemere, GHF Membership and Education Coordinator, at grasslandheritage@gmail.com or call 840-8104. Posted Sep 3, 2010
Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the intersection of Atchison Ave. and Clinton Pkwy.
The team will be digging and disposing of the purple loosestrife that is growing in the drainage area on the southwest corner of the intersection. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your shovels, pruning tools, and gloves. Everything else will be supplied.
There is parking available on Atchison Ave., although carpooling is strongly recommended as the parking is in a residential area. Also, please be sure to use the available sidewalks rather than walking on the neighbors’ property.
Purple loosestrife has recently been sold as an ornamental plant, however, it has become a dangerous invasive which overtakes native plants in wetland areas. The Kansas Department of Ag. quarantined it in January, 2002. GHF and others are working to help the city of Lawrence eliminate at least some of the plants that are growing on city property.
GHF is a non-profit membership organization devoted to prairie preservation and education about our prairie heritage and native plants. If you want to help out please RSVP to Kim Bellemere, GHF Membership and Education Coordinator, at grasslandheritage@gmail.com or call 840-8104. Posted Sep 3, 2010
Air and Waste Management Association Informational Meetings The KU Student Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association will be holding information meetings Wednesday(Today) and Thursday (Sept 2) at 5pm in 256 Snow. These meetings will be a very brief introduction to the organization and our past, current, and future projects. Please feel free to drop by and learn more!
The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization that enhances knowledge and expertise by providing a neutral forum for information exchange, professional development, networking opportunities, public education, and outreach to more than 8000 environmental professionals in 65 countries. A&WMA also promotes global environmental responsibility and increases the effectiveness of organizations to make critical decisions that benefit society. The Mission of A&WMA is to assist in the professional development and critical environmental decision-making of our members to benefit society. The core Purpose of A&WMA is to improve environmental knowledge and decisions by providing a neutral forum for exchanging information. Posted Sep 1, 2010
The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization that enhances knowledge and expertise by providing a neutral forum for information exchange, professional development, networking opportunities, public education, and outreach to more than 8000 environmental professionals in 65 countries. A&WMA also promotes global environmental responsibility and increases the effectiveness of organizations to make critical decisions that benefit society. The Mission of A&WMA is to assist in the professional development and critical environmental decision-making of our members to benefit society. The core Purpose of A&WMA is to improve environmental knowledge and decisions by providing a neutral forum for exchanging information. Posted Sep 1, 2010
Humanities Lecture Series: "Science, Politics and Climate Change" Environmental journalist and New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert will present “Science, Politics and Climate Change” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 13 in Woodruff Auditorium.
This lecture should be of particular interest to your students because Kolbert will discuss her research and writings on global warming including her 2006 book “Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change.” She will explain the science and studies behind climate change, providing both personal commentary and competing political perspectives.
She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1999. Her stories for the magazine include political profiles, book reviews, commentaries and extensive essays on climate change. Kolbert’s writings have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Vogue and Mother Jones. Posted Sep 1, 2010
This lecture should be of particular interest to your students because Kolbert will discuss her research and writings on global warming including her 2006 book “Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change.” She will explain the science and studies behind climate change, providing both personal commentary and competing political perspectives.
She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1999. Her stories for the magazine include political profiles, book reviews, commentaries and extensive essays on climate change. Kolbert’s writings have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Vogue and Mother Jones. Posted Sep 1, 2010
In memoriam: Jessica Roark Jessica Roark, graduate of the Environmental Studies Program in Spring 2009, passed away this Sunday, August 22nd. She will be greatly missed. Thoughts and reflections on Jessica's time at KU can be found at the link. Posted Aug 23, 2010
Kelly Kindscher featured on Kansas Public Radio Listen to more details about Dr. Kelly Kindscher's native medicinal plants project, for which he and Dr. Barbara Timmermann of Medicinal Chemistry received a five year, $5 million grant. More information about the program is available at www.nativeplants.ku.edu. Posted May 21, 2010
Environmental Studies students in the news Jason Hering, senior and president of the EcoJustice student group, was profiled recently in the Lawrence Journal-World newspaper for his work in developing a community garden inside the Douglas County Jail. For more information about this project, read the LJ World profile. Posted May 13, 2010
