EVST News February 8th, 2021

❄️❄️❄️Congrats on completing your first week of classes!❄️❄️❄️

Hope you all were able to stay warm during the storm & get lots of rest during the winter break.

Although shopping period is over, we know that many of you may still have questions about the best way to tackle the semester and explore your passions for the environment. The peer mentors will be hosting office hours today from 6-7pm at this Zoom link. Please stop by for a few minutes to say hi or come with questions about the summer, the upcoming semester, and to meet some new (and familiar) faces in the EVST community. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Warmly, 

Lauren

Program News

EVST DUS Office Hours | Email Professor Fotos to make an appointment to Zoom or talk on the phone. Office hours this week: Tuesday from 2-5:00pm.

EVST Program Manager |Questions about the major, course registration, summer opportunities, details in this newsletter, or the YSE 5-Year Program? Email Linda Evenson to make an appointment to zoom or talk on the phone.

EVST Peer Mentors  will have office hours tonight, February 8th at 6pm. Zoom link. 

EVST Calendar | Check the calendar for upcoming events and opportunities.

Becoming an EVST Major | Students interested in joining either the EVST BA or BS Programs must complete a short process - details can be found here.  If you have questions, please email studies.environment@yale.edu.

Follow EVST on Facebook and Instagram and request to join the Yale College Environmental Studies Group and the Yale Blue Green on LinkedIn.

EVST newsletters are now posted in the “news” section of  the EVST website! 

Fellowships

The Udall Scholarship was originally established by Congress in 1992 to honor Congressman Morris K. Udall and his legacy of public service. The Morris K. Udall and Steward L. Udall Foundation annually awards approximately 50 scholarships of up to $7000 and 50 honorable mentions to US sophomores and juniors committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Lauren Kim EVST ’21 was a 2020 Udall Scholar. Please free to email her with any questions as well as directly contact the fellowships office for more details. Apply for Yale’s nomination for the Udall on the Grants/Fellowship portal by February 12th!

Opportunities

Spring

The YCC, Yale Student Environmental Coalition (YSEC), and the Yale Office of Sustainability & Sustainability Liaisons present the February Climate Action Pledge. They’re encouraging Yalies to take on a more active role in combating the climate crisis, with equity and justice in mind. Of course, this pledge does not aim to distract from the urgent need for sustained and powerful environmental reform at other levels, and environmental justice must be centered in every conversation on climate. Still, every individual action makes a difference. Take the pledge and you’ll have a chance to win a gift card!

Want to join a network of 11,000 individuals across all 50 states working to push for effective and equitable climate policies? The State Climate Policy Network (which is part of the nonprofit Climate XChange) includes policymakers, climate advocates, conservationists, farmers, business leaders, university professors, youth, Indigenous leaders, and countless others. As a member of our network, you will receive invitations to our monthly Deep Dive webinars, national calls, state climate policy updates, weekly newsletter, and much more. If you’re interested, simply email naomi.shimberg@yale.edu indicating your interest, or sign up directly here. 

Yale Environmental Education Collaborative (EECO) |EECO partners with a local magnet school to provide 4th and 6th grade students with a comprehensive environmental science education, including environmental racism. Apply here byFebruary 15th to join a cohort to produce a series of short video clips. Email eeco.yale@gmail.com with questions.

The Sycamore Institute at Yale | Sycamore at Yale is seeking motivated and innovative writers and thinkers to contribute to its work. Potential applicants have the opportunity to participate as Fellows, Division Editors, and Division Chiefs. This is a new, student-run think tank focused on national and international security issues. Sycamore defines security in broad terms to encompass not only global affairs and nuclear non-proliferation but also climate change, immigration, and inequality. Sycamore branches currently exist at NYU, Princeton, and Yale. Submit applications here. Email Zac Jones or Stefy Grau with questions.

New Horizons in Conservation Conference: Diversity, Equity, and Justice | You are invited to participate in the conference, which will take place virtually in April. The conference is an annual gathering of students and early career professionals who are from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the environmental field and/or committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field. Attendees network, engage in hands-on workshops, and hear from leaders and visionaries in the environmental field. View a highlight video of the 2019 conference here.  Contact Sophia Paul for details.  Apply here February 18th.

Voiz is looking for students to join their March and Summer cohorts and are eager to have more Yale students! Join a community of college gen-z students making a sustainable economy. Bennett Hall EVST ’22 is currently interning for Voiz. Read about his experience at the end of this newsletter. Apply here.

The Tsai CITY Spring 2021 Venture Development applications are open | If you have an idea you’re working on, or a venture you’re currently growing, one of our venture development programs might be perfect for you. This year, the Launch Pad, Accelerator, and Summer Fellowship share one common application – making it easier to apply. For more information on these programs, watch this video. Apply here by February 14th.

Become a FOOT Leader! | First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT) is an orientation program of backpacking trips for entering Yale students led by two upper level students. During 2020, backpacking trips were no longer an option, but a virtual version of the program fulfilled many of the same goals. Anyone who has completed 1-3 semesters at Yale is strongly encouraged to apply! Regardless of your backpacking experience or participation on FOOT as a first year, anyone who is committed to welcoming first years to campus, engaging in thoughtful conversations, and making new friends would make a great new leader. Come to our Informational Meeting on 02/11 at 8pm EST via Zoom, where we’ll discuss the application and answer your questions. The application will go live on the FOOT website after the info meeting and will be due by Friday, February 19th. Follow Instagram & Facebook @yaleFOOT to stay in the loop! If you’d like to discuss FOOT leadership with a fellow EVST major, feel reach out to Bea Pickett EVST ‘22. Help first years start Yale off on the right FOOT! Zoom link for info meeting. 

Green Medicine Initiative at Yale | Are you interested in global health? How about reducing waste or helping communities in need?  The Green Medicine Initiative is looking for students interested in creating an organization to promote and enact green healthcare in Yale and New Haven. The medical field has a huge environmental footprint, especially in light of the COVID-19 crisis, and we want to change that by starting a chapter of the Green Medicine Initiative at Yale. If you’re interested in helping this cause, please contact Jon Michel EVST ‘22.   

Summer 

Apply for Yale Summer Funding for Environmental Internships for your own project or underfunded internship. Interested in working on a Yale Collaboratve research initiative? Check out Biking for Science and Health. Contact Professor Xuhui Lee if you’re interested.

President’s Public Service Fellowship | Provides opportunities for Yale students to work on behalf of economic development, human development, and neighborhood revitalization with public sector and nonprofit organizations in the City of New Haven. Students not in their final year of study may apply for placements proposed by New Haven agencies. Student applications and additional information can be found here. Apply by February 19th at 4pm.

Yale Peabody Museum Summer 2021 Internships | Paid summer internships  across a variety of disciplines. Conduct research and work with Peabody collections. Past projects have evolved into publications, presentations, and senior theses. All internships have been designed to be done either in person or virtually. Seniors graduating this May are not eligible. See the complete set of opportunities and application form HERE. Students with remote sensing experience should take a look at Mary Beth Decker’s and Casey Dunn’s project, here,  Apply by February 15th.

Yale Farm Summer Internship and Global Food Fellowship | Learn more about at the YSFP Summer Opportunities on Friday, February 12th, 1:30-2:30pm. Register hereand a zoom link will be emailed to you. Apply by March 16th. The Yale Farm Summer Internship engages directly in food and agriculture through hands-on learning at the Yale Farm. Over a 10-week program, interns learn to grow, harvest, and cook with a diverse array of fruits and vegetables. The Global Food Fellowshipsponsors the academic and extracurricular study of food systems beyond Yale’s campus. 

The Urban Resources Initiative (URI) Community Forester internships |Internships runs from May 18 - August 7 and include remote training and on-the-ground field work, including street tree planting, vacant lot restoration, and park improvement and accessibility. Apply through Yale’s President’s Public Service Fellowship program, or directly with URI by sending a resume and statement of interest to uri@yale.edu. Apply by February 28th. Click here for details or email Chris Ozyck, URI Associate Director. Yale undergraduate student applications for PPSF 2021 are due by Friday, February 19th at 4pm. 

Summer 2021 Residential Staff Positions | Develop leadership, organizational, communication and conflict-resolution skills!  Apply for a Residential Staff position this summer as a Residential Counselors, Residential Assistant, or Activities Coordinator. Yale Summer Session may adjust the activities and/or responsibilities associated with these positions in response to guidance on COVID-19 from state, local, and university authorities.  Any changes will not affect compensation for this position.  Residential Life Staff are not responsible for enforcing public-health guidelines, although they may serve in an educational function for the Yale Summer Session community. Apply by February 19th.  

Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Internships | Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program is targeted toward students who plan a career path in conservation and are willing to make a long-term commitment to preserving and protecting the pristine environment and diverse cultures of Alaska. Internship placements can be at nonprofit conservation, environmental justice and Alaska Native organizations as well as government agencies. In 2021, ACF is offering 17 internships: 2021 CIP Position Descriptions. Internships are 12 weeks, begin on June 1st, and include a stipend of $6,000 and travel reimbursement costs to and from Alaska up to $1,200. Host organizations will assist interns in finding low-cost housing for the summer, but interns are ultimately responsible for their own housing. Apply by February 22nd. 

Connecticut Sea Grant Undergraduate Research Fellowship | Seeks to broaden participation of underrepresented/underserved students in marine and coastal professions by providing early career experience, training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers and marine industry professionals. The program will fund a research fellowship for up to two undergraduate students who represent the social diversity of the communities of Connecticut. Up to two fellowships, each with a $5,000 stipend, will be offered to enable selected students to conduct independent research under the guidance of a research mentor. The application process requires submission of a mentor-proposed natural or social science-based research project and a student nomination for the research fellowship. The research project must be completed in nine weeks over the summer, and be focused on a coastal, marine or watershed issue relevant to the Connecticut Sea Grant Strategic Plan for 2018-2023, found here. Apply by March 15th. Click herefor application instructions. 

Become an Overland Leader | Read about Overland trips here. The application process consists of a written application and resume, three references, and an interview.  Join a virtual winter info session here.  For more information or questions about the Info Sessions, email hiring@overlandsummers.com. Apply by March 12th. 
 
UNH Sustainability Fellowships | Exceptional college students are paired with host organizations in New England to work on transformative sustainability initiatives.   Fellows undertake challenging sustainability projects that are designed to create an immediate impact, offer an extraordinary learning experience, and foster meaningful collaboration.  Work with municipal, educational, corporate, and non-profit partners in New England. Earn $5,200.  Register to attend a webinar on February 5th 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Apply by February 15th.

C-DEBI Global Environmental Microbiology (GEM) Summer Course | The Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI), headquartered at the University of Southern California and funded by the National Science Foundation is offering an all-expense paid, three-week, intensive introductory aquatic microbiology course called Global Environmental Microbiology (GEM). Click here for details. Apply by February 25th.

NASA DEVELOP National Program (Paid/hourly basis)| DEVELOP fosters a collaborative, challenging, and dynamic work environment, where teams conduct ten-week feasibility studies that apply NASA Earth observations to address decision making needs. Currently enrolled students, recent college graduates, and early and transitioning career professionals, are eligible. Learn more and apply here byFebruary 26th.

The Harvey Lab at the University of Washington is hiring 7-9 field assistants to
work on research projects in forests of the western Cascades during summer 2021. Field assistants are critical members of their team and are essential to advancing research projects! Read a detailed job posting here. Apply by February 26th.

Post-Grad

Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Internships | Recent grads are eligible! Internship placements can be at nonprofit conservation, environmental justice and Alaska Native organizations as well as government agencies. In 2021, ACF is offering 17 internships across Alaska: 2021 CIP Position Descriptions.  Apply by February 22nd.

Alaska Fellows Program | Fall-to-spring residential fellowship program that nurtures the next generation of Alaska-based leaders by pairing talented young people with strong communities and professional mentors. Launched with a small pool of Yale graduates in 2014, the program now boasts alumni from 31 states and six countries and hosts fellows in Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka. Forty-two percent of alumni continue to live and work in Alaska for a year or more following their fellowships. Franklin Eccher EVST “19 and Tasha Boyer ’PSYCH ’19  participated in this program. Reach out to them with questions. Positions for the 2021-2022 program term will open in soon.

Think Tank and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania (TTCSP) | Recruiting the class of ‘21 and recent grads to join the Environment Team. The mission of TTCSP is to increase the profile, capacity, and performance of think tanks at the national, regional, and global levels so they can better serve policymakers and the public. Students should be willing to put in 10-15 hours of work per week for this internship. Interns can expect to collect data, conduct literature reviews, update contact databases and more. Contact Intern Coordinator, Bianca Serbin and copy the Environment Team Project Lead, Zoe Shinefield in the email. Unpaid.

OCS works closely with many Yale alums and long-term employer partners, referred to as Preferred Yale Partners. To find opportunities offered by Preferred Yale Partners in the Yale Career Link choose More Filters, and select Preferred Yale Partner (you can also search by location, industry, job function, and other fields). You can also explore Environmental Jobs Sites on YSE’s website!

Upcoming Events

Check the EVST calendar for upcoming events. Below are a few events happening this week or requiring registration.

The Black Farmer Fund: Building a Resilient Food System Through Community Investment | February 9th, 4-5:00pm EST |Join Black Farmer Fund’s Program Director Melanie Allen in a conversation with CBEY Resident Fellow Tagan Engel to learn more about this new initiative.  Melanie will discuss the ways the Fund is building and redefining wealth and manifesting their values in their ways of working in a reciprocal relationship with Black farmers, entrepreneurs, and the natural environment. The Black Farmer Fund aims to serve as a bridge for black communities to participate in creating a food system that benefits those within and outside of black communities. They are defining wealth beyond financial and intellectual capital to include social capital and ancestral wisdom, to mitigate against climate change, exercise governance, strengthen solidarity, and preserve cultural and ancestral ways of being. Register here.

Forest Service’s Urban Forest Connections| February 10th, 1-2:15pm EST | The Forest Service’s Urban Forest Connections webinar series brings experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment. These webinars are open to all. Past webinar presentations and recordings are available below. Sign up here. This webinar series is presented by the Forest Service’s National Urban Forest Technology & Science Delivery Team.

Latinos in Sustainability: The Intersection of Climate and Social Justice Part 1: A history of place-based racial inequities​| February 11th, 12-1:00pm EST . The Intersection of Climate and Social Justice will be a three part series aimed to educate and inform our community about the intersection of Climate and Social justice including the history of racial inequities, climate change challenges and solutions in cities, and the implications of the sustainability industries lack of diversity. A history of place-based racial inequities will be part one of this series and will focus on providing a fundamental understanding of how institutional racism has impacted the health and well-being of BIPOC communities.  Dr. Lorena Estrada-Martínez is a social epidemiologist and Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Her research on Latino and Black youth has focused on the impact of cultural and structural dimensions of family and neighborhood factors on disparities in mental health and behavioral outcomes from adolescence through adulthood. Register for Zoom link here.

Inaugural Yale x Yale-NUS Global Policy Conference and Hackathon | The Yale / Yale-NUS Policy Hackathon brings together students around the world to solve critical issues in global policy. The Hackathon aims to empower students interested in solving the pressing issues around them by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary to explore an interest in global issues. This year’s hackathon will be run entirely virtually and include two topics, one focusing on issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the other focusing on global environmental issues and economic development. The Hackathon will take place over the weekend of February 26th-28th. Teams are given 2 days to prepare and create a solution, and the top 6 teams will have the opportunity to present to a panel of judges consisting of distinguished researchers, policymakers, and professors in relevant fields.  Teams will be composed of 4-6 students from various global universities. Students may sign up as a closed team, an open team, or an individual looking to join a team. To register as an individual, click here or group, here by February 21st.  Details in this brochure.  

SAVE THE DATE: Yale Food Systems Symposium - Feb. 23-26! Virtual panels, workshops, and digestion sessions will cover a range of topics, from seaweed farming to next-generation land access to worker wellbeing in the face of COVID-19.  Open to all and co-sponsored by EVST. Register here. 

EVST Student LOA Experiences

Please stay in touch! We would love to hear about you LOA experiences. Please send a photo along with note about what your have been up to Linda Evenson or Lauren Kim.