Ecological Society of America

Chapter Directory > Fort Lewis College

"SEEDS-Campus Ecology" » Durango, Colorado

The SEEDS Campus Ecology Chapter of Fort Lewis College has a threefold purpose: (1) to expose students of color at Fort Lewis College to opportunities in the field of ecology and environmental science; (2) to use ecology and environmental science to address environmental justice issues in the Four Corners region; and (3) to encourage dialogue about different cultural perspectives on environmental issues. Visit the Chapter's website: http://envcenter.fortlewis.edu/ce/index.html.

Plans for 2007-2008

• Finish work funded by our Special Project Grant. This will take place over the summer of 2007.
• Organize a garden tour/open house to highlight our work. Once the project is complete, the area will serve as a research site for biology students at Fort Lewis. Presentations of this research along with the use of the area by biology and agriculture classes will serve as a form of outreach for the Chapter and boost interest in taking greater advantage of the other benefits of SEEDS program, such as the field trips and conferences.
• We would like to organize several hands-on projects in order to boost student participation. There is a trail project near campus the students would like to work on.
• Get a worm composting bin going in the garden.
• Tree planting at a local ranch.
• Start a garden at the on-campus day care center.
• Convert a vehicle to run on biodiesel.
• Continue to work closely with the design team on green features for the new student union building.
• Help to organize activities for Focus the Nation, a national day of education on the climate crisis slated for January 31, 2008.

2006-2007 Activities

• The first event sponsored by the Chapter was a presentation by Buffalo Field Campaign, a group working to protect the Yellowstone Bison herd once they leave the national park. This event took place on September 7th.
• Our first general meeting took place on September 30th and was attended by 15 interested students who offered a number of suggestions and ideas for projects. In addition to the Special Project Grant, the primary areas of interest were the protection of a large open space adjacent to campus called Horse Gulch and opposition to the installation of a new coal-fired power plant, called Desert Rock, just across the state line in New Mexico.
• In December, students began working on the Special Project Grant doing the research and labor on the natural area and garden.
• Students put on a showing of An Inconvenient Truth in December that drew over 100 students.
• The Chapter co-sponsored a forum on the Desert Rock power plant with San Juan Citizen's Alliance, the leading environmental group in the Four Corners Region, and Dine Care, a leading Navajo environmental organization. The group also worked with Small Axe, Small Steps, a Native American student environmental club and spearheaded organization for the Campus Climate Challenge at Fort Lewis. A student forum on the climate crisis drew almost 30 people. This culminated in helping Small Axe, Small Steps organize a rally for Step It Up, a national day of climate action on April 14th in a downtown park that drew 40 people to hear speeches and write letters to Congress.
• We began working closely with the design team for the new student union to make sure the new building would be as green as possible and would include a natural area.
• We participated in the Eco-Garden Work Day on April 4th, during the Environmental Center's annual Earth Week celebration.