College of the Environment

E-Newsletter

December 31, 2009
Vol. 1, No. 5


Announcements

A New Pre-Major Code for the College - During autumn quarter, the College of the Environment proposed a new pre-major code, PREENV, for students interested in a range of environmental majors but who have not yet committed to a specific major. The Faculty Council on Academic Standards has approved the new pre-major code and has authorized the College to begin using the code winter quarter 2010. As campus-wide efforts to increase the effectiveness of outreach to pre-majors increase, the College is now well-positioned to identify students interested in environmental programs early, communicate with them often about activities and events designed for pre-majors, and effectively track student interest in environmental programs. The new pre-major code will assist the College with early outreach to freshmen, with efforts to assist students with declaring the major that best fits their goals earlier, and with efforts to build a strong sense of identity among pre-environment students, which should increase retention.

Public Forum January 12th to discuss Campus Sustainability Fund - The Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) is a major, student-led investment in a greener, more sustainable campus. It will provide funding for projects that increase campus sustainability, prioritize student leadership and involvement, and educate UW students, faculty, and staff in order to create a more environmentally responsible campus culture. The creation of the CSF will allow students to set the University’s environmental agenda and create educational opportunities in the process. This is an incredible opportunity for students to get engaged and create a lasting, positive change on campus. Join us on January 12th at 4:00 in Hub 200AB to ask questions, raise concerns, offer suggestions, or volunteer to help.

WA State Legislative Session - The 2010 Regular Session for the Washington State Legislature is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010. While there is a new Director of State Relations for the UW, the rules govenrning public agency lobbying remain the same. If you have any questions about working with state legislators or legislative committees, please contact the Dean's Office (Stephanie Harrington, 3-0878) or Margaret Shepherd, the Director of State Relations as of December 1, 2009. Margaret has worked in Olympia for the past few years as the policy analyst on capital budget and transportation issues for the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus.

Funding


Federal funding opportunities

  • The EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs is soliciting proposals for investigation, survey, study, training, and demonstration projects that advance international near-term, cost-effective methane recovery and use as a clean energy source, and support the goals of the Methane to Markets Partnership. This funding opportunity is only for international activities in support of the Methane to Markets Partnership. Details can be found in the EPA announcement. EPA requests submission of an informal notice of an Intent to Apply by February 11, 2010. Full proposals must be received by EPA by 1:00 p.m., EST on April 15, 2010.
  • The National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, established in 1979, provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one year paid fellowship. Applications for the class of 2011 are due February 19, 2010.
  • In 1999, the NOAA National Sea Grant Office and NOAA Fisheries established a Graduate Fellowship Program in population dynamics and marine resource economics. The program supports Ph.D. students interested in the population dynamics of living marine resources and the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing their status as well as Ph.D. students interested in marine resource economics (concentrating on the conservation and management of living marine resources). Application materials should be submitted to the sponsoring Sea Grant program by January 15, 2010.


Private funding opportunities

Please note that many corporations and foundations have requested that UW Advancement facilitate their relationship with University of Washington faculty, staff and students. As such, all solicitations, applications, or requests for private giving from foundations or corporations must be developed in partnership with UW Advancement. Please contact a member of the College Advancement Team before submitting a proposal to the organzations below or any other corporation or foundation.

  • The Rockefeller Brothers Fund endeavors to address the challenges of global warming, protecting ecosystems, and conserving biodiversity by supporting environmental stewardship that is ecologically based, economically sound, socially just, culturally appropriate, and consistent with intergenerational equity. Applications for funding are considered throughout the year.
  • The Lawrence Foundation supports organizations that are working to solve pressing environmental, educational, human services and other issues. Environmental grants appear to run between $5,000 to $15,000. Grant applications are due either April 30 for their June grant cycle or October 31 for their December grant cycle.


Colleagues in the News

(Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2009)

Roundup: Climate Science in 2009 (Eric Steig/ESS, Dec 29, 2009)

Three “endurance arrays” planned off Grays Harbor (Steve Harbell/Sea Grant, Dec 27, 2009)

Stick to the principles on Oregon forests bill (Jerry Franklin/SFR, Dec 26, 2009)

Underground tremors caused by moon, sun, study finds (Kenneth Creager/ESS, Dec 23, 2009)

Deep-sea volcanoes (Joe Resing/JISAO, Dec 23, 2009)

Underwater volcano eruption caught on video (Joe Resing/JISAO, Dec 22, 2009)

Christmas Bird Count is bird-watchers' annual delight (UWBG, Dec 21, 2009)

Catch shares may not lead to healthier fisheries, study says (Tim Essington/SAFS, Dec 21, 2009)

Learn to look up and love our clouds (Cliff Mass/ATMS, Dec 20, 2009)

Recent Puget Sound sewage spill not as bad as it could have been (Rick Keil/OCN, Dec 19, 2009)

Doppler funding is approved (Cliff Mass/ATMS, Dec 18, 2009)

What is the most abundant fish in Puget Sound? (Ted Pietsch/SAFS, Dec 18, 2009)

Upcoming Events

Check out the College events calendar for a comprehensive list of upcoming seminars, conferences, lectures, and other public events.

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If you have a suggestion for additional information that should be included in the College of the Environment bi-weekly announcements, please submit it to Becca Baughman.