Clean Nova Scotia’s Campus Climate Outreach

Clean Nova Scotia’s Campus Climate Outreach

The Climate Change Centre (CCC) has been in existence since 2000, and is a provincial program of the environmental non-profit Clean Nova Scotia (www.clean.ns.ca). Our mandate is to provide free education and outreach services to Nova Scotians on issues related to climate change,

with the goal that this education leads to action! Please visit www.clean.ns.ca/ccc to learn more.

For the 2008-2009 school term, the CCC is pleased to offer the following to campuses:

Campus Climate Action Guide: A new document published by the CCC, the Guide assists in mobilizing student groups to undertake action projects on climate change. This resource provides ideas for action projects related to energy, food, solid waste, and transportation on campus. Best practices for success and a list of on-line resources are also included. This resource is FREE, and available in either hard copy or PDF format at www.clean.ns.ca/ccc à Campus Climate.

Workshops – Facilitating Student Action on Climate Change: As a complement to the Campus Climate Action Guide, the CCC will provide free workshops to interested student groups. The purpose of these workshops is to facilitate student selection, planning, and implementation of climate-related action projects on campus or within their broader community.

To order your copy of the Campus Climate Action Guide or to book a workshop,

contact Rebecca McQuaid at the Climate Change Centre at: (902) 420-6597, rmcquaid@clean.ns.ca

Hike to Blue Mountain with the Sierra Club!

Join the Sierra Club for a guided 5 km hike to Blue Mountain!

Saturday July 26^th from 10am- 2pm

A part of the Sierra Club’s mission is to enjoy nature, as well as protect it, and a hike in the beautiful outdoors is a great way to do just that!

Bob Macdonald from the Halifax North West Trails Association will be taking a group of ~10 on a 5km hike to one of the highest points on the peninsula which provides wonderful panoramic views of several lakes, the Halifax harbour and the windmill in Goodwood.

This hike is rated beginner (suitable for children 10 and up), and waterproof hiking shoes are recommended as we’ll have to cross a stream or two.

The trail head is at the end of Anahid Dr in the Kingswood sub-division south of Hammonds Plains Road see maps below). We’ll meet at the trail head at 9:45am

Members and non-members welcome, invite a friend! There is a 10 person maximum so RSVP early!

The hike is free and a lunch will be provided at no cost (meat, vegetarian and vegan options available) Please inform us of your choice when you RSVP.

For more info and to RSVP:

Call Emily at the Sierra Club at 902-444-3113

Or email emilyr@sierraclub.ca or atlanticcanadachapter@sierraclub.ca

Or check out the website at http://www.sierraclub.ca/atlantic/getinvolved/events/events.htm

Drive Wiser and Save: Free Presentation and Treats

Explore ways to to buy a drive a car and save $2000 while reducing your environmental footprint!  Come to the "Drive Wiser and Save" presentation to learn about fuel efficient vehicles, money rebates, the damage idling, speeding and jackrabbit driving do to your engine, your wallet and the environment

AND MUCH MORE!

"A fun, interactive presentation that raises the issues facing drivers today and also provides you with actual tools to green your driving habits."

DATE:  Friday, June 6th, 12-1 pm

Where: Marion McCain Arts and Science Building

Topic: Drive Wiser and Save

You: How to drive wiser: save money, reduce emissions

Business: How to save through efficient fleet management

Snacks and drinks will be served!

SPACE IS LIMITED.

Please register before the event: rjowne@dal.ca

CESR Presents: Dalhousie's 2008 Dump & Run!

Sixth Annual Dalhousie Dump and Run

Looking for a great bargain? The Dump and Run is the biggest garage sale in town! The Dump and Run is a large community garage sale held annually. Community members donate items, which are re-sold at this one-day sale. All proceeds are donated to charities and non-profit groups. Reusable items for donation can be just about anything, including: furniture, appliances, tools, barbecues, exercise equip, clothing of any kind, shoes, bedding, towels, pillows, books, magazines, games, kitchen utensils, pots, pans, small appliances, and anything else that would have value at a yard sale. Donated items should be clean and ready for sale. Dump and Run reserves the right to refuse items. You can drop items off up until Saturday, April 26 (no items are accepted on April 27, the day of the sale). Pick-up of large items can also be arranged during the week prior to the sale.To volunteer or for more information about donating your items, contact us at halifaxdumpandrun@hotmail.com, call, or check out our website. Organized by the Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility (CESR) and Saint Mary’s University Environmental Society (SMUES).

Phone: 494-6899

When: Sunday, April 27, 2008, Times: 8am-4pm

Where: Dalhousie Studley Gymnasium, University and LeMarchant



*******
For more information contact CESR at cesr@dal.ca or visit their website at:
http://societyforcorporateenvironmentalandsocialresponsibility.dsu.dal.ca

*******

Dalhousie + Earth Day = Nature Walk

Join Professor Martin Willison for a nature walk around campus in celebration of Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, noon – 1 pm.

Walk highlights include identification of local species and ecosystems, as well as discussions about how to make the campus more naturally diverse. Meet us at the stairs of the Henry Hicks Arts and Administration Building at 11:55 am on April 22. Earth Day, is an international celebration held every year on April 22. The original Earth Day, launched in 1970 was spearheaded by Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson and Harvard University student Denis Hayes.

Nature Walk on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22. Noon – 1pm. All are invited.

DSUSO Employment Opportunity!

The DSU and the DSU Sustainability Office would like to announce an employment opportunity:

"DSU Sustainability Office - Summer Liaison"

Please find the job description below, including where to bring your cover letter and resume. The application process closes April 18th, 2008.

***************************************************************************************

The Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office is offering the opportunity for a student to engage in a burgeoning area of importance at Dalhousie University - campus sustainability! The Office is looking to fill the following position in short order:

Sustainability Office Liaison, Summer Term 2008


Position Description:

The person hired will be required to continue with the Winter 2008 office objectives, while also building the office in a new direction, coinciding with the newly acquired mandate of the office actively pursuing key student sustainability concerns. The top priorities for the position will include:

regular meetings with Rochelle Owen, Administrative Director of Sustainability
equipping the office with supplies and furniture
assisting designers to complete and implement the office website
planning for GreenWeek 2009 (including developing a strategy/materials for Orientation Week 08/09 and the rest of the academic year)

As well, and in accordance with the overall responsibility of the office to represent student concerns, interests and ideas regarding sustainability, this position will require the hired individual to be available to meet/work with students if the opportunity presents itself.

Additionally, the Liaison position will require the hired individual to work primarily by his or herself over the course of the summer months, however meeting periodically with various groups including the Sustainability Office Human Resources Board, the Administrative Sustainability Office and the President’s Advisory Council on Sustainability.


Applicant Requirements:

Apart from embodying great communication skills and work ethic, as well as a high level of self motivation and responsibility, the applicant must also posses:

- experience and knowledge of sustainability (on and off campus)
word processing, spreadsheet and internet abilities (including the ability to add updates to the office blog)
research skills
networking abilities requiring the individual to keep track of and assimilate disparate sets and categories of information


Position Hours & Salary:

The Liaison position is based on a performance of 25 hours per week, from May 1st 2008 - August 28th 2008, and pays an honourarium of $3000.00 at the end of the term.

To apply for this position, drop off cover letter and resume to: Dalhousie Student Union Vice President Internal Dalhousie Student Union Building Room 222

For more information, call 494-1276 or email dsuvpi@dal.ca

***********************************************************************************

Aramark Tray-less Cafeterias Update

Great news! Aramark's removal of cafeteria trays has been a major success. Students for the most part have gotten used to life without their little plastic helpers and in turn, there have been some quite positive outcomes. Here's a brief description of some of the good stuff:


- Aramark is saving approximately 1040 gallons (3936 litres) of water a day and approximately $13,000 worth of electricity. They're saving a little over 900,000 trays from being washed per school year.

This success has spurred Aramark onto further progress in the world of sustainability. Derrick Hines reports that:


- Aramark is working with Rochelle and Dal Facilities to convert their retail truck to run on 100% vegetable oil, a by product from the deep fryers.

- Aramark is increasing their use of locally grown/raised produce & proteins. They just signed on with Eden Valley Farms to use their poultry products - in fact they will set up a both in residence to help promote/educate students on their facilities. Aramark is also working with a local beef farmer to further increase local content.


So let's hear it for Aramark for taking the lead in this area! Apart from celebrating them silently, we can also support their effort with our patronage.

I wonder what Sodexho has been up to. Have they been keeping pace?

Rippin' Apart Garbage In Alberta...

Did you know that in Edmonton, Alberta every single bag of garbage, recycling and compost gets collected by the 'garbage man' and sent to a giant facility for complete and total separation? Pretty rad stuff - I and think, if memory serves me correctly, it increased the life of Edmonton's aging landfill by a few decades.

Well this and other related topics are the kind of stuff that you'll learn about at the "Waste - The Social Context '08" conference this summer. Sounds like a great opportunity for those of you headed West for the summer! Check it out below.

***************
From Joanna Klimowicz, Marketing & Communications Coordinator 780.442.6289:

We would like to let your students know about our upcoming conference, Waste-The Social Context '08: Urban Issues and Solutions. We're offering a special student rate of $100--something I'm sure your students would like to take advantage of, Waste-The Social Context '08 is less than two months away!

Join an international roster of researchers, waste practitioners, and public educators to explore the social, environmental, and economic forces driving waste management. The five-day program is packed with international paper presentations, workshops from leading practitioners, tours of world-class waste management facilities, a movie exhibition, design exhibition, book fair, and more.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to discover integrated solutions to one of the most pressing urban challenges of the 21st century! Register Now.

May 11-15, 2008 | Shaw Conference Centre | Edmonton, AB | www.conference.ewmce.com

DSUSO 2.0

Ladies & Gentlemen - last Thursday, March 13th 2008, the DSU along with the DSU Sustainability Office held an open meeting in order to solicit opinions on restructuring and re-mandating the Sustainability Office for the upcoming academic year.

A whole slough of great ideas and concepts were arrived at using the tried and true 'SWOT' analysis... you know, deciphering Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in regard to the office.

At present, everything is being tabulated, computed, etc. The results (i.e. the new office format) will be presented to Dalhousie students in short order. Look for them soon!

Sincerely,
The DSUSO Team

A Lesson For Drivers... In Regard to Cyclists

This awareness test is just too good to NOT share with you. Take a few seconds and see if you pass the test:

http://www.dothetest.co.uk

SustainDal: A Message About Environmental Academic Programming

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

Many of you have expressed frustration & angst with the lack of sufficient Environmental Programming at Dalhousie. Perhaps you are in an environmental program or class yourself, but find it to be uninspiring or unstimulating, leaving you wanting more.

What you may not know, is that there is a NEW program in the making. It will be one of the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE programs related to ESS (Environment, Sustainability & Society) offered in Canada!!

A steering committee comprised of faculty & students (from many different disciplines) has been working on a new academic program focused on environment, sustainability & society (ESS) for Dalhousie over the past 2 years.

Many ideas have been shared, a weekend workshop was conducted and finally, a proposal is on the table.

Resources (monetary, time & other) have been put aside, & administration (including the university President) is waiting to make a move!

In brief, the core components of this program include (but are not limited to):

- an INTEGRATED UNDERGRADUATE Program
- a GRADUATE Constellation
- a shared COMMON SPACE
- actual COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Multidisciplinary, Team-Taught Classes
- Hands on, Experiential Learning



There is a short Vision document available, to have it emailed to you, contact:

sustaindal@dal.ca or dsu.sustain@dal.ca


As critical players in the university community with experience in university classes & operations YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!

Don't let another student go through the system UNSATISFIED!

After reviewing the document, please send your comments, concerns and feedback
to:

Geri Marshall
gmarshall@dal.ca

and I will see that they are passed along to the steering committee!

Thank You for your Time!

Cheers,
Geri
SustainDal
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS

Recognition of a Great Thing...

DSUSO would like to take a moment, while we've got your attention, to congratulate Dalhousie Facilities Management for making strides in the "going green" department. You see, Facilities Management has officially switched all it's cleaning products to environmentally friendly ones - that includes the entire campus! Good Stuff!

This is really great news and if you'd like to know more about the new supplier of Dalhousie's eco-friendly cleaning products, check out their website here:

http://www.avmorgreen.com/English/commitment.php

Or you can email Mark Costandi with Avmor instead at:

mcostandi@avmor.com

In the words of DSUSO's own, Emily Rideout, this move by Facilities Management is "super cool" :o)

A Very Nice Conference Announcement...

March 28-29

Ecoprise 2008 at Dalhousie University on March 28th-29th, 2008
The conference will span two days and will be hosted at Dalhousie University in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 28th-29th, 2008. Early bird registration closes
March 4. Conference sessions cover a range of topics from remediation, to
eco-design, socially responsible investing, clean energy, eco-efficiency, and
emerging green technologies. Full conference details are available at:

http://ecoprise2008.dal.ca

Dal Engineers Are At It Again!

The Dalhousie Chapter of Engineers Without Borders is bringing in Alexa McDonough to speak about corporate social responsibility. This should be a fantastic and informative event! Details are below:

Alexa McDonough
Speaking on Corporate Social Responsibility
with Presentations by Angela Alambets and David Erlandson Overseas Volunteers to Ghana

Wednesday March 19, 2008 7 - 9 pm Tickets $15 ($10 for students) Includes free drink and snacks T-Room (1360 Barrington St)

Tickets available at the Door, and Tuesday & Wednesday in the Alumni Lounge 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Sad Day... La Velada CANCELLED.

A message from the Dal Spanish Department and Spanish Student's Society

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Department of Spanish and the Spanish Student's Society have decided to cancel this year's La Velada.

If you have purchased a ticket for La Velada, please come by the main office (McCain 3025) to pick up your full refund. Your ticket must be presented at the time of reimbursement. Refunds will be available between Wednesday, March 12th and Friday, March 14th.

We are very sorry that this wonderful event will not take place this year.


**********************************
The Department of Spanish
& the Spanish Student's Society

Pam Noseworthy
Administrative Secretary
Department of Spanish
Dalhousie University
tel: 902-494-3679
fax: 902-494-1997
pam.noseworthy@dal.ca
**********************************

DWC: Hosting a Bunch'a Workshops

The Dalhousie Women's Centre are hosting a 'host' of workshops (get it? host?). Have a look:


1. EXAM ANXIETY REDUCTION PROGRAM

Thursdays, March 13, 20, & 27, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Do you feel so anxious before and/or during exams that you worry it stands in the way of your doing well? This programme is intended for students who experience disruptive anxiety before and/or during exams, despite having generally adequate study habits. The anxiety may be experienced in the form of sleeping problems, upset stomach, etc… The anxiety may occur for exams in general or just for certain subjects or types of exams. This programme is comprised of three weekly 1 hour sessions. The focus is on identifying and changing worrisome thoughts, breathing and muscle relaxation techniques. A $5.00 deposit is required.


2. MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION

Tuesday, March 11, 2:30 - 4:00 Thursday, March 27, 2:30 - 4:00

This is an experiential workshop that will explore the role of mindfulness in stress reduction. Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment with awareness, space and gentleness. Through the practice of mindfulness we are able to slow down and gain a new perspective on situations. Using a wide range of exercises, this workshop will investigate what mindfulness is and how we can use it as a tool for stress reduction and relaxation. Through the use of guided breathing, awareness and movement exercises, participants will have an opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness and its potential for reducing and managing the effects of stress. This is an introductory workshop open to anyone who is interested in exploring stress reduction and relaxation. A $5.00 deposit is required.


3. SLEEP AND RELAXATION WORKSHOP

Wednesday, March 19, 3:00 - 4:30 Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 - 7:30 Monday, March 31, 2:30 - 4:00

This workshop includes tips on how to fall asleep and feel more refreshed during the day. Participants will also learn relaxation techniques including deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization. A $5.00 deposit is required.

There will be a $5 Deposit Required - refunded upon attendance. To find out more information telephone 494-2081. or visit: www.counsellingservices.dal.ca

To register, drop by Counseling Services 4th floor SUB

**Available to students of Dalhousie University, The University of King's College and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD).



*********************************
Dalhousie Women's Centre
6286 South Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 1T8
Tel: (902) 494-2432
Email: dwc@dal.ca
Web: http://www.dalwomenscentre.ca
*********************************

DSUSO Supports DSU Elections

Just reminding everyone that this week is DSU Elections week. The candidates will be busy all week trying to convince you of their merit, and thus snagging your vote. The actual vote date - which can be done online - is from March 18th - 20th.

You can catch their profiles and blurbs here:

https://www.dsu.ivoteonline.com/candidate_info.php

Find out more about the DSU Elections here:

http://dsu.ca/campuslife/2008-dsu-general-elections/
2008-dsu-general-elections-main-page


Student apathy is at an all time low, so please take a moment out of your day, March 18th - 20th, and as they say, "make your voice heard".

greenapaloozaTheMeds

Monday, March 10th at the Grawood - following the comedy of 'picnicface', local band, "The Meds" will take the stage and amaze you with their vocal and instrumental talents. See you at the Grawood at 9pm! In the meantime, have a listen to The Meds at:

http://www.myspace.com/themedsmusic

greenapaloozapicnicface

Kicking off Green Week - the comedy troupe 'picnicface' will be spreading their specialized style of funny-strange at the Grawood. Check them out, starting at 9pm on Monday, March 10th.

Have a sneak peak at what you'll see:

www.picnicface.com

I recommend the "Powerthirst 2" video. Yay Menergy! (Warning: This video NSFW).

Dalhousie - Sustainability & Environmental Research Symposium

On Friday, March 14th, Dalhousie University will be running the 4th Annual Sustainability and Environmental Research Symposium.

A series of events is scheduled from 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM. All activities will take place in the Kenneth Rowe Building at 6100 University Avenue.

Posters featuring the work of approximately 70 researchers, will be set up in the Atrium on the main floor of the Rowe Building. The poster session starts at 1:30 PM and runs until 3:45 PM.

A panel presentation, entitled Toward Food Sustainability: From Global to Local, will then run from 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM in the Potter Auditorium. The keynote speaker is Dr. Randall Westgren from the University of Illinois. He will be joined by Dr. Ralph Martin, Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Founding Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada; Dr. Peter Tyedmers, Professor, School of Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University; Marla MacLeod, Food Miles Project Coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre, and Sean Gallagher, Proprieter of Terroir: Local Source Catering.


Following the panel, there will be a reception in Room 2068, featuring excellent
local food presented by Terroir.

-------------------------
Natasha LaRoche, Coordinator
Elizabeth May Chair in Sustainability and Environmental Health
Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University
1355 Oxford Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3J1
Phone: (902)494-8443
Fax: (902)494-1123

--------------------------
SustainDal
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS

E-mail: SustainDal@dal.ca
http://dal.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5703632618
http://sustaindal.blogspot.com/

DWC - Intl. Women's Day... Big List of Big Events for a Big Day!

Let's here it for the women in our lives! Saturday March 8th, 2008 is International Women's Day. To celebrate and mark this occassion, the Dalhousie Women's Centre is hosting a gaggle of events:

1. Placard Making & Breakfast at the DWC (before the IWD Rally and March)

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Location: Dalhousie Women's Centre, 6286 South Street

It's placard-making time! Come get an early start to International
Women's Day!
Enjoy some breakfast while creating powerful placards for the rally and march
at noon! What better way to start International Women's Day?


2. International Women's Day Rally and March

Saturday March 8th, 2008 at Noon - Parade Square in Halifax

International Women's Day (IWD) is a time for women around the world to
commemorate their struggles and celebrate their achievements. The United
Nations formally proclaimed March 8 International Women's Day in 1975. The
roots of IWD, though, can be traced back to the struggles of women workers in
the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

This year, the Canadian Federation of Students ? Nova Scotia, the Canadian
Labour Congress, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Halifax-Dartmouth
& District Labour Council and the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour are holding
a Rally and March to celebrate International Women's Day.

International Women's Day (IWD) Rally and March
Saturday March 8, 2008
Noon - 1:00 PM
Grand Parade Square
Barrington Street, Halifax

The Rally will begin at Noon in Grand Parade Square (adjacent to Halifax City
Hall on Barrington Street), and will march to the Legislature to hear
additional speakers, etc.

Beginning with International Women's Day this year, the Canadian Labour
Congress
is launching a year-long campaign for women's economic equality which
is titled
"Equality Once And For All!" (see
http://canadianlabour.ca/index.php/womens_economic_equa).

For Information, contact:

Canadian Federation of Students (902) 425-4237 /email national@cfs-ns.ca
Canadian Labour Congress (902) 455-2965 / email ttracy@clc-ctc.ca
Canadian Union of Public Employees (902) 455-4180 / email jmccracken@cupe.ca



3. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION!

*Saturday, March 8th, 2008*
*5pm Potluck*
*6pm-8pm Entertainment*
*Saint Matthew's Church Hall (**Barrington Street - use glass doors on
the South
gate side)*

An *International Women's Day* celebration will be held at Saint Matthew's
Church Hall, on Saturday March 8th, 2008. *All *are welcome and there is no
cover charge. We will be accepting donations at the door in support of Bryony
House.

From 5pm-6pm, there will be a potluck dinner (no shellfish or peanuts please),
and from 6pm-8pm there will be an evening of diverse entertainment. From the
spoken word stylings of Taryn Della to the activist choral entertainment from
The Raging Grannies, and more - there is certainly something for everyone.

For more detailed information regarding International Women's Day,
please visit
the Status of Women Canada website, at http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/. For further
information regarding this year's social celebration, please contact Janet or
Corrie at halifax@oxfam.ca or 425-7877.

Sponsored by: *Oxfam; Voice of Women for Peace; SMU Women's Centre; Canadian
Labour Congress; DAL Women's Centre; Atlantic Council for International
Cooperation; Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health; & Canadian Red
Cross*


*********************************
Dalhousie Women's Centre
6286 South Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 1T8
Tel: (902) 494-2432
Email: dwc@dal.ca
Web: http://www.dalwomenscentre.ca
*********************************

Spanish Society - La Velada Tickets Now Available!

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LA VELADA!!

The Dal Spanish Society now has tickets available for La Velada--the social event of the season!! Come out for an evening of music, food, dance, entertainment from the Spanish-speaking world--Friday, March 14, 6pm in the McInnes Room at the SUB. Tickets are $20 for students, $25 for non-students, and are for sale this week, daily 11:30-1:30, in the SUB.

Your ticket includes a delicious Spanish meal, an evening's entertainment, followed by a dance with DJ.

For info and tickets, please contact the Society at spanish@dal.ca, or contact the Department of Spanish at 494-3697.
Don't miss La Velada 2008!!

Dal News - "Gold & Black Go For Green"

(photo by Nick Pearce)

Dal News has posted an article on Green Week 2008, along with a forum through which you can post your comments, suggestions, etc.

Plus there's a snappy picture of Sarah Applebaum (the one included above). Find the article here:

http://dalnews.dal.ca/2008/03/07/greenweek.html

Green Week 2008 - Events Listing & Schedule

Alright everyone - looks like our technical difficulties have solved!

Green Week is coming up next week - starting Monday, March 10th with a whole slew of events! Please find at the following links, both the EVENTS LISTING and SCHEDULE for Green Week 2008:

Events Listing:
www.dsu.ca/services/sustainability-office/data-sustainability/events.pdf

Events Schedule:
www.dsu.ca/services/sustainability-office/data-sustainability/gwschedule4.pdf


Look forward to seeing everybody around campus all week, but especially at Green-a-Palooza on Monday night!

Reusing Paper: Better Side Notebooks

Better Side Notebooks

Dalhousie’s Nature Conservation Group and Sustain Dal are working sustainably and creating one-sided notebooks for Dal students in order to raise awareness on paper conservation. The recycled notebooks will be on sale for $2 starting Monday March 10, 2008 (and every Monday following) in the Student Union Building along with Muggy Mondays.

Date: Mondays (Muggy Mondays)
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm
Location: SUB
Cost: $2/notebook

For more information please contact:

Nature Conservation Group
Email: bettersidenotebooks@hotmail.com

DWC: Certainly Sushi!

Hello DWC Members,

It's time for another FREE vegetarian cooking class!

When: Monday, March 3 at 5:15 PM
Where: Dalhousie Women's Centre

For what: A SUSHI-MAKING partyyyyyyy! Come on out to make some yummy sushi with Minori and Julia (and eat it too, of course). It's gonna be a great time!

We hope to see you there!

DWC


*********************************
Dalhousie Women's Centre
6286 South Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 1T8
Tel: (902) 494-2432
Email: dwc@dal.ca
Web: http://www.dalwomenscentre.ca
*********************************

DSUSO: Back From the Break!

Hello everyone - hope you all had a wonderful break! We hear at DSUSO certainly did, but now, alas, we're ready to get back down to business!

Remember though... only 6 weeks of school left!

Aramark Going Tray-less

Aramark is planning on removing trays from their residence cafeterias after reading week as an initiative aimed at reducing water and energy use as well as food waste (so that people aren't loading up their trays when hungry... now they are just loading up 1 plate).

This is a wonderful example of Aramark's - and by extension, Dalhousie's - commitment towards sustainability - let's show some support!

Congrats Aramark!

Local Foods = Yum!: Student Cookbook for GreenWeek 2008!

Hey Everybody - SustainDal here...

We putting together a local food cookbook for students, to be made available at the
beginning of GreenWeek (March 10-14)

Please send your favourite locally based meals you make. Do not copy this from other recipe books you have (illegal)... but alter them somehow to make them even better.

These recipes can be for any of the seasons, but remember that winter is the hardest. Can be veg or meat, anything goes!


Send them to: mlowry@dal.ca

Sweet Deal - Wilderness First Aid Course!

The Environmental Programmes Student Society (EPSS) will be hosting wilderness first aid courses from April 27th –to May 5th. The courses are being offered through Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) Canada, leaders in remote and practical medicine. The certificate programs are for outdoor enthusiasts, guides, professionals and researchers who find themselves in remote areas where 911 is not an option.

EPPS will be offering the 40hr Advance Wilderness First Aid (WAFA) course, the 80hr Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course as well as a 40hr bridge course. The bridge course will be for individuals who already have their WAFA but wish to upgrade to the WFR level.

We have not yet determined the final prices, we are hoping to receive a grant from the DSS to help defray costs.

If you would like more information feel free to send us an e-mail or check out the WMA's website: www.wildmed.ca

Or you can contact EPSS at:

Email: epss@dal.ca
Society: http://epss.dsu.dal.ca
Tiger Society: http://my.dsu.ca/tiger_society/society/show/168
Environmental Programmes: http://www.dal.ca/~envsci

Canvas Grocery Bag Giveaway Today (and Tomorrow)!

As many of you know the Superstore on Quinpool is going bagless on Feb. 21st!! YAY :)

To support this initiative, we are giving away FREE re-usable cloth grocery bags:

- Wednesday, February 20th 10-3pm (SUB LOBBY)
- Thursday, February 21st, 10-12:30pm (SEXTON ALUMNI LOUNGE)

In support of this initiative, and in coordination with Green Week, the Dalhousie Bookstore will be going bagless during Green Week (March 10-14)

DSU Annual General Meeting - This Wednesday

The DSU's Annual General Meeting will be held this Wednesday. The meeting is open to all students of Dalhousie. As well it should be noted that there will be a FREE DINNER.

DSU Annual General Meeting
Wednesday February 20, 2008
Starts at 6:30 PM
Place: McInnes Room, SUB
Dinner will be provided
Please bring your Dal ID

Hope to see you there!

Dalhousie Spanish Society - La Velada Update!

It's getting closer to La Velada! If you are interested at all in getting involved, now is the time! We are having a meeting at 4:00pm on February 20, in the Spanish Lounge on the third floor of the McCain.

We are looking for performers (dancers or participants in the fashion show), people to help out with decorating, selling tickets, and volunteers on the night of La Velada.

We are still looking for items for the Wall of Nostalgia and for the Fashion Show, so if you have anything you'd like to lend to us, drop it off to the Spanish Department! Make sure your name is on it.

Also, we are going to be doing a slide show, so if you have any pictures of Latin America or Spain, it would be great if you could email them to me. ( spanish@dal.ca ). Include pictures of yourself and friends, not just scenery.

Thanks, everyone! I look forward to seeing you on wednesday!

Robyn

Dalhousie Spanish Society
spanish@dal.ca

Grocery Bag Give-away

As many of you know the Superstore on Quinpool is going bagless on Feb. 21st!! YAY :)

To support this initiative, we are giving away FREE re-usable cloth grocery bags in the lobby of the SUB:

- Wednesday, February 20th 10-3pm
- Thursday, February 21st, 10-12:30pm

In support of this initiative, and in coordination with Green Week, the Dalhousie Bookstore will be going bagless during Green Week (March 10-14)

Dalhousie: Making Computer Labs Better...

Hey everyone,

If you'd like to see improvements in Dalhousie's computer labs and/or BETTER Wi-Fi signal strength for your laptops, then take a moment and answer this short survey:

https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=2100&i=29637&k=S4iG&ro=

Green Week Meeting Minutes

Green Week 2008: March 10-14^th:

• During green week we will have one (hopefully 2) tables in the SUB all week long with a ‘market’ all day on Thursday in the lobby.
• Carla/EPSS ecological footprint of BBQ, carbon neutral by doing offset activities during the week (fixing up ocean pond, litter collection, idling tickets), using solar ovens (any other ideas or considerations concerning this are welcome)
• overall consideration of making events carbon neutral

Evolution of Current Tasks, Events, Ideas...

• Muggy Monday's running all week (overcoming Sodexho)
• Sodexho has an exclusive contract in the SUB and may not be so keen about us giving out free coffee for an entire week. I have been trying to meet with them to discuss this and our catering needs for the ‘lunch and learns’
• Residence “lights-out” energy challenge à Graham (SustainDal)
• Promotion of event through posters, word of mouth and RAs
• Prizes! (any ideas of prizes that fit within the theme of sustainability that first year students living in Rez would actually like?)
• Dal Women’s Center vegetarian cooking class on Monday
• Run by DWC at their house on South St. (next to Dalplex)
• luncheon with local food (overcoming Sodexho, altering location instead)
• lunch and learn
• one on Monday and one on Wednesday (speakers/topics still in the works)
• we were considering inviting DSU candidates to one of the lunch and learns to discuss sustainability and what a sustainable Dalhousie means to them. This may not be possible – and instead we have been offered to have a segment of the debates occurring Tuesday March 11^th in the lobby of the SUB to focus on sustainability/green campus – what are your thoughts on this? PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP
• story of stuff in SUB lobby
• 20min film on loop
• Computer set up where students can calculate their ecological footpring
• kick off concert at Grawood (cost concerns, promise of selling $500 worth of alcohol to pay for bar staff)
• Expedite, Anew Airship, King Conqueror…
• cover charge maybe $2.00 each (would be a benefit for some organization, any suggestions?)
• need to pay $150-$200 for use of a tech.
• need approx 4 source security bouncers at $14/hr
• BBQ and parking meter party on Tuesday (legitimizing with bikes and kayak)
• Mark Johnston is asking Rochelle Owen from the administrative office to speak with security on our behalf
• Carla looking for donations for BBQ from Pete’s and Planet Organic
• Also looking to obtain food from the farmers market
• large desire for solar ovens and instructions to build their own (reduce energy footprint
• DWC bringing in guest speaker (Elizabeth do you have any information about this yet?)
• Wednesday and Thursday, green trivia at the Grawood/Troom.
• Still in progress – positive response from Grawood Trivia Host
• Thursday, market place in the SUB
• Let me know if you would like a table in the SUB on this day. Provide me with a short blurb/description. There may be more interest than tables available. If that is the case we may have different tables in the morning and afternoon (please provide me with a time preference)
• Critical Mass on Friday (maybe mid-afternoon)
• CESR doing green drinks on Monday or Wednesday, also interested in holding events in the Rowe Bldg.
• Rochelle Owen (administrative office) would like to host a talk on energy star. She would like to bring in Tom Traves so people actually get to see his face.
• Possible other speakers: Jennifer Gray Antigonish Sustainability office & another with organic farming (EPSS Carla)
• EAC taking on the luncheon learn (Martha from SustainDal)
• EAC also having a table in SUB on Thursday

Documentaries/Movie Nights:

• Nature Conservation class screening of shark water?
• Rochelle Owen would like to show a film
• DWC/Oxfam screening of film about global warming and effects on women in developing countries
• EPSS/EAC Movie Night
• Crapshoot

Advertising:

Suggestion of facebook group – good idea and will be put together over reading week

GREEN WEEK NEWSLETTER?

Contacted Journalism and they need some more specific information from us: “For example, do you need someone with experience in a specific program, such as Photoshop, Quark or Indesign? Do you need someone with access to their own design/layout programs and computer or are you providing the technology and equipment?”

SPENCER AND GRAHAM I BELIEVE YOU EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THIS. PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ADDITIONAL INFO. IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH PUTTING A NEWSLETTER TOGETHER INCL. GREEN WEEK MAP PLEASE LET ME KNOW

Posters – SustainDal Meeting on Friday where they are going to try to design some posters. We have use of graphic designer if necessary

Future Items, Tasks, etc.

Carla checking out DASS involvement

Maggie checking to get Engineers W/O Borders involved for the purpose of getting all campuses integrated

Pete (Christian Fellowship) button making at kiosk, definitely incorporating faith & environmental issues.

Jamie & Brian sustainability practices, business practices in Nova Scotia, aboriginal issues, socio-economic issues

Emily, IDS class idea to "green scale" NS MPs, blurbs, pictures.

Keith, PoliSci Society to reach out to political youths/parties on campus to speak about their parties environmental platforms

Spencer, anti-idle tickets, being voice of green week through Gazette or guerilla postering campaign,

Emily, CKDU resource for advertising (PSAs, just email CKDU with paragraph)

Please standardize the movie times every night and push for a movie every night.

Amanda, art expo (Carla will check with Nature Conservation class)

Don’t forget, we are not limited to space in the SUB – THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SPACES for events: Killam Atrium, Studley Gym during day, Rowe Bldg.,

GREEN WEEK map, giant showing all events throughout the week

small versions of schedule for guerilla info squad

Friday is also Environmental Research Symposium

ALL IDEAS AND EVENTS NEED TO BE FINALIZED BY THIS WEEKEND (FEB. 17^TH, 2008).

BACK UP EMERGENCY DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS FRIDAY FEB. 22^ND, 2008

CESR: 6th Annual Dump And Run

The Society for Corporate, Environmental and Social Responsibility will be undertaking the 6th annual "Dump & Run".

What is the Dalhousie Dump and Run?

The Dalhousie Dump and Run is a community garage sale/waste diversion project and environmental fair. Used items are collected from the community and the student residences at Dalhousie and then resold at a community yard sale.

An information session will be occurring soon.

In the meantime, if you're interested in getting involved with the event, check out the Career Services Website for open Coordinator positions, or send CESR an email (cesr@dal.ca) with your info & "Dump and Run Positions" in the
heading.

CESR: Growing, Expanding, Looking For Members

The Society for Corporate Environment and Social Responsibility (CESR) is expanding. They are looking for new members to fill roles as active volunteers and for positions within the society itself (i.e. for the 2008/2009 academic year).

If you are interested, you can reach them here:

email: cesr@dal.ca
website: http://cesr.dsu.dal.ca

Sowing Seeds, Reaping Results

(Photo by Danny Abriel)


DalNews has written a feature article on Dalhousie University's new administrative Sustainability Office and Director of Sustainability, Rochelle Owen:


“Many wonderful seeds being sown everywhere at Dal,” is the way the first director of the Office of Sustainability describes the sustainability initiatives underway at the university.

It will be Rochelle Owen’s job to ensure those seeds grow into operational initiatives and come together in a university-wide plan. Ms. Owen began in early January and has received a very warm reception.

“Most people at Dalhousie are really interested in doing more in the way of environmental sustainability,” says Ms. Owen, whose mandate is to support, implement, maintain and communicate campus-wide sustainability programs.

“A lot has been done and there is definitely more than can be done,” she says. “People feel it will be great to have an office to focus on planning, policy and communication efforts.”

Ms. Owen’s job will be to develop a strategic plan for the office, help draft a university-wide policy and framework for sustainability efforts, and cultivate a culture of sustainability at Dalhousie.

Dal also will begin to focus on sustainability issues – how much water do we use each year? Can we use much less? How do we cut our electricity use? Can we use 100 per cent recycled paper? Can we get rid of the paper coffee cups that cannot be recycled … there are many possibilities.

“Ingenuity and innovation are going to be key messages,” says Ms. Owen, adding that she has found Dal to have “pockets of intellectual gold,” when it comes to designing new programs, carrying out day-to-day operations and weaving the environment into the curriculum.

That process has already begun. A multi-faculty working group has been in place since the fall and a campus-wide two-day workshop, Environmental Sustainability and Society: Towards Innovative Academic Programming is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16.

Professors, administrators, staff and students are encouraged to participate. The focus is the development of new interdisciplinary academic programming.

As well as developing plans for the office, Ms. Owen says there will be a 15 to 20 person advisory board, set up to help guide the university’s efforts. It will cast its net wide for students, faculty, staff and community representatives. The advisory group will have working groups on key topics.

Before filling the post as the first director of Office Sustainability, Ms. Owen was the Atlantic Head of Public Education and Engagement at Environment Canada. She has worked on such difficult issues as contaminated sites and has provided facilitation, training and presentations to hundreds of groups at the local, regional, national and international levels.

A Dalhousie graduate, Ms. Owen holds a BSc in community health education and a Masters of Environmental Studies.

- By Mary Somers

_______________________________________________________________
You can view the original article here: http://dalnews.dal.ca/2008/02/13/sustain.html
_______________________________________________________________

SYC Conference: DSUSO's Emily Rideout Is Back... & Full Of Facts!

Hi everyone!

This weekend I attended the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Sustainable Campuses Conference (an Atlantic regional gathering) with 5 other students and it was an amazing experience! The conference was a great opportunity to meet with other students who are working on making their campuses a little greener and it gave me a chance to hear about initiatives and projects that are happening at other schools.

There are so many success stories in the Atlantic region! For example MUN has started a bike sharing program, St. FX has implemented a surcharge on all disposable cups and styrofoam to encourage waste reduction and use of reusable mugs, and Acadia University is in the process of creating an organic farm on campus which will supply the cafeterias with produce. While so many schools have achieved so much, they have faced many hurdles in the process and the conference provided an opportunity to learn from their mistakes as well as their successes.

Essentially, this conference was really great for making contacts at other universities, building a regional support network for initiatives here at Dal, and most importantly, for re-igniting my passion and dedication to making Dalhousie a more sustainable institution. It is vital that we reduce Dal’s ecological foot print, and this conference reminded me that students can play one of the biggest roles in bringing that about.

Emily Rideout,
Coordinator
DSU Sustainability Office

Green Journal Looking For Articles, Poems, Photos...

Want to have an essay, poem, photography or piece of artwork published in a journal?

The Environmental Programmes Student Society is want submissions for its 2008 "Green Perspectives" journal. Submissions can be pre-existing works (i.e. essays from previous semesters) or brand new concoctions, created specifically for the journal.

If you are interested, please click on the image above for more information.

Submissions are due the last day before Reading Week, February 22nd, 2008.

SustainDal Snowball Team - Looking For Members!

This message is brought to you by SustainDal:


SustainDal has a Co-Ed Snowball Team (which is actually flag football in the snow!!!!!) RSVP if you think you'd like to play! Should be Wicked! When we eventually get some snow :P

SustainDal
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS

E-mail: SustainDal@dal.ca
http://dal.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5703632618 http://sustaindal.blogspot.com/

DWC: Cookin' Up A Storm!

File this under the "Did you know?" category:

The Dalhousie Woman's Centre, located right across the street from Wickwire Field, offers up a free/communal kitchen to all students on campus! That's right - if you're wanting to engage in a little DWC action, feel free to drop by any time between 9am - 5pm and help yourself to their cooking facilities. Just be sure to wash your dishes before you leave!

Check out the facilities at:

www.dalwomenscentre.ca/space.html

Dalhousie Women's Centre Events Update

Here's this weeks update to ongoing and upcoming events sponsored by the Dalhousie Women's Centre:

1. Vagina Monologues-- Feb 18 and 19
2. FREE Film Screening: BORN INTO BROTHELS -- Feb 13th
3. SEXUAL SAFETY INCLUSIVE COALITION --Feb 14
4. A Very Girl-ish Heart-On: Saturday, February 16th
5. Introduction to Healing Arts: a workshop series
6. DWC Board Recruitment
7. DSU Women's Community Rep Position
8. Now Accepting--Single Parent Bursary Applications!!!
9. Psychology Awareness Week - Feb. 11th - Feb. 15th
10. Film Screening: Forgiveness: Stories for Our Time - Feb. 13
11. Breaking The Silence Halifax Presents: A Guatemalan Fundraising Dance
12. Community Action on Homelessness Events Postings
13. Interested in Helping Plan the International Day of Action Against War?
14. Black History Month Association Presents the Second Annual Luncheon:
"Keeping The Faith"
15. DalOUT Announcements
16. Anchor Archive Announcements

For more info, check out their website: www.dalwomenscentre.ca

Or email: dwc@dal.ca

Dalhousie Joins Sustainability Association!

Dalhousie is a new member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)!

Any member of the Dalhousie community can use their email address as a user name and generate a password to logon to the AASHE site:

http://www.aashe.org/members/memberlogin.php

The site has a resource centre with topic areas such as academics, operations, and institutional commitment. You can also keep current on the evolving landscape of campus sustainability by subscribing to AASHE Bulletin, a weekly compilation of the latest sustainability news, resources, events, and opportunities at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. To subscribe, go to:

http://www.aashe.org/archives/bulletin.php (you can read archived issues here),
or email info@aashe.org with a request to be subscribed.

For more information on this membership or upcoming activities of the University Office of Sustainability contact:

Rochelle Owen, Director of Sustainability Email: rjowen@dal.ca Phone: 902-494-7448