Monthly Newsletter

A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department

November 21, 2024

Any upcoming events, job opportunities, conferences, or other environmental news received by the ES Department are included in this newsletter. More information on the items listed in This Just In! can be received by contacting the ES Department. Current and archived issues.

In This Issue….

1.  University of Minnesota Field Courses
2.  Watershed Scholars Program
3.  Macalester Pre-Law Organization
4.  International Student Conference
5.  Jobs Available at Environment America
6.  Summer REU Program in Marine Science
7. Jobs with Green Corps
8. Summer Internship with Night Owl Farm
9. Environmental Career Fair – January 31
10. Jobs with Minnesota GreenCorps
11. MAPSS Winter Technical Event – December 6
12. Island Biodiversity and Conservation Program
13. Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience
14.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

1.  University of Minnesota Field Courses

Next summer might feel distant, but the best adventures start with a little planning now! It’s time to think about how to make this summer one that fuels your academic journey. Consider taking summer field courses in a living laboratory—the Itasca Biological Station in Itasca State Park. Come up north for a truly immersive, hands-on living-learning experience.

You won’t just learn what mammologists (people who study mammals), mycologists (people who study fungi), ornithologists (people who study birds), or animal behaviorists (that one is easy to guess) do…you’ll do what they do on a daily basis. You will live-trap and handle mammals and birds, key out fungi and plants, collect invertebrates, and design experiments, all with the guidance of supportive faculty mentors and in collaboration with peers.

Hear more about why you should register for field biology courses and what it’s like to live and learn at the Station. Check out their website for more information on course schedules and costs, and how and when to register. Students can also apply for scholarships to cover costs of room and board.

Have questions? Contact [email protected].

2.  Watershed Scholars Program

Southern Illinois Unversity Edwardsville is excited to announce the Watershed Scholars Program for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, or geography with an emphasis in watershed sciences topics. Students selected for the program will receive a tuition waiver and $10,000 scholarship for each of the two years they are in the program, as well as funding to attend conferences and to purchase equipment and tools needed to complete their research. In addition, students will participate in thesis and research workshops, career panels, scientific and technical seminars, and mentoring from a variety of people. Eligible students are required to have an income of $26,355 (single household)/ $35,770 for family of 2) or less while a student at program start date (Fall 2025). Income in the prior year is not considered. Scholars must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or admitted refugees. Interested individuals can read more about the program here.

3.  Macalester Pre-Law Organization

The Pre-Law Organization at Macalester College would provide students with the resources, community, and guidance needed to explore the possibility of attending law school and pursuing a career in law. This organization serves as a support system for those who are interested in law and offers a variety of programs and activities that help students make informed decisions about law school and the legal profession. Also address the gap in accessible, particularly for BIPOC students who may not have the same level of mentorship, guidance, or connections to navigate the law school application process.

4.  International Student Conference

International Student Conferences facilitates three academic and cultural exchange programs organized by university students in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China. Their conferences distinguish themselves from other programs in that they are entirely student-led: students manage the logistics and implementation of each annual gathering. At the end of each Conference, delegates elect an Elective Committee tasked with planning and executing the next conference. Up-to-date information can also be found on ISC’s website and Instagram!

5.  Jobs Available at Environment America

America tripled its production of solar, wind and geothermal power from 2014 to 2023, with growth in all 50 states, according to the latest research from The Public Interest Network’s groups, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Their freshly updated Renewables on the Rise 2024 online dashboard tells a story of renewable energy progress at a quickening pace across six key areas.

Interested in Environment America’s work? See a list of their available positions here.

6.  Summer REU Program in Marine Science

Applications are now being accepted for the Summer REU Program in Marine Science at the University of Delaware, an NSF-Funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. The program will take place from June 2 to August 8, 2025, at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp campus in the beach community of Lewes, located on the shores of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.  Interns will work with faculty in a research-intensive setting on a research topic in chemical, physical, or biological oceanography, marine biology, marine geology, biogeochemistry, or a related area. In addition to hands-on research experience, student support includes a $7,200 stipend, campus housing, and travel assistance. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025.

More information and the application can be found on their website. You may also be interested to read more about the program or see one of their field trips on the R/V Daiber on the Delaware Bay. 

7.  Jobs with Green Corps

Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day. They are accepting the top 20 candidates for their 2025-2026 program. Graduates will join their more than 400 alumni who are leading environmental campaigns and organizations across the country. If you’re passionate about the environment and ready to learn and practice the craft of organizing after graduation, apply today!

8.  Summer Internship with Night Owl Farm

Night Owl Farm is looking for summer interns who would work alongside them and learn about all aspects of sustainable agriculture including bed preparation and soil building, greenhouse work, planting, transplanting, cultivating, and harvesting. You will also help with washing and packing vegetables and CSA deliveries. Hours are somewhat flexible. No farming experience is necessary although an ability to work hard outside in all kinds of weather is a requirement, as well as a desire to learn about farming.  This position is funded by the Macalester Summer Internship Grant, so all potential candidates will need to apply for that grant by February 24, 2025.

Night Owl Farm is an organic, small scale, highly diversified, woman owned vegetable and flower farm 45 minutes north of the Twin Cities (North Branch MN.) We have a 100 member vegetable CSA and a 60 member flower CSA. We also participate in two farmers markets. 

9.  Environmental Career Fair – January 31

Our Career & Internship Services colleagues at the University of Minnesota graciously offered to open up their Environmental Career and Internship Fair to Macalester students. This is a great opportunity for our students to connect with employers who will be attending the fair. They are also opening up their career week events to our Mac students. 

Environmental Career Fair – Friday, January 31, 11 am-2 pm, Great Hall, Coffman

• Student Website
• Handshake Student Preview (student registration opened November 1)

Our Mac career advisors are available to help students prepare for this event. Students can make an appointment in Handshake and send their resumes to be reviewed to [email protected].

10.  Jobs with Minnesota GreenCorps

The Minnesota GreenCorps program is seeking candidates for two refill positions in the Twin Cities metro area in the Energy Conservation & Green Transportation topic area at the American Lung Association and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. The deadline for these two member positions is Monday, December 2. These members will serve full time from January 15- August 12 2025.

Interested applicants should go to www.pca.state.mn.us/mngreencorps to learn more about the program and apply online. Please direct applicant questions to [email protected]. 

11.  MAPSS Winter Technical Event – December 6

The MAPSS Winter Technical Event, Environmental Investigations and Remediation, will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at WSB in Golden Valley, Minnesota and also via Zoom. List of topics and speakers. If you are a student, enter the discount code STUDENTWINTER2024. When you buy a ticket you will go through PayPal (where you can pay with a credit card). You do not have to pay online. Print the registration form and pay with a check or a business purchase order. 

Questions? Contact Suzanne – Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS), 612-741-1365, [email protected].

12.  Island Biodiversity and Conservation Program

The University of Exeter’s Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies offers a MSc in Island Biodiversity and Conservation. Their MSc is one of two master’s courses globally that focus specifically on island ecosystems. Islands are distinct, complex systems and their program provides an in-depth study of their biogeography, ecology, and conservation challenges. The course is taught by leading experts in island studies, covering key topics such as ‘Islands and Climate Change’, ‘Biodiversity and Evolution on Islands’ and ‘Island Conservation in Action’, which includes a field trip to Tenerife to experience conservation efforts firsthand.

13.  Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates! The Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates (SLAWR REU) is a 10-week summer program that explores the interactions between physical, natural, and social processes through the weaving of Indigenous knowledge with Western knowledge to advance scientific understanding and support tribal management decisions. 

With a focus on community-based participatory research and diverse interdisciplinary research teams, students learn the key elements of land and water resources that are essential to improving management practices. Projects take place at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; the Fond du Lac Reservation in Northern Minnesota; and Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. 

The deadline to apply is February 2, 2025. Visit http://reuslawr.org for more information and to fill out an application. Additionally, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

14.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

Handshake at Macalester is our career services platform.

Students:  Handshake is preloaded with your basic profile data. Simply log in with your Macalester user id and password.

Read Getting Started with Handshake Guide for Students

The more you use Handshake, the better it works for you. Personalize your experience by filling out career interests and profile. As you choose opportunities and events that interest you, Handshake will learn to present you with opportunities best suited to your needs.

Any questions regarding this newsletter or to be removed from the mailing list, contact Ann Esson at [email protected].