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The Implementer
June 2023
Accelerate Your Climate Awareness. Knowledge. Action. | Second Nature's Monthly E-Newsletter.
NOTABLE NEWS
Book Early to Secure the Best Rates on Registration and Accommodations!
The Super Early Bird deadline has been extended for the 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit through the end of July! Register now to lock in the lowest rate for the premier annual gathering of higher education leaders working to address inequity and the climate crisis. Secure your stay at the Westin Long Beach and receive a discount when you book in the Summit's hotel block.
Solutions Center Updates Include New Resources and Tools for Climate Action Planning
Visit the Second Nature Solutions Center to find new resources, features, and samples to facilitate campus climate action, including resources for writing Climate Action Plans and guides to help create Requests for Proposals.
The updates also include two new solutions: Chilled Water District Cooling and Retro-Commissioning. More updates are on the way. If you have recommendations for climate solutions to include in the Solutions Center or need more information, reach out to Nadia L'Bahy.
OPPORTUNITIES
Webinar: Funding Opportunities from the Department of Energy to Advance Climate Solutions
A webinar brought to you by AASHE, Second Nature, and the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) at the Department of Energy.
Higher education institutions are the center of many communities and we know many campus sustainability efforts are deeply connected to, if not embedded, with their surrounding community. This webinar will provide campus sustainability and climate champions, including researchers and those focused on community engagement, more information about funding opportunities from SCEP at the Department of Energy and recommendations for collaborating with state and local governments.
Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Time: 2 PM EST
Moving towards equitable climate action requires building and strengthening relationships that have historically been undervalued and under cultivated. To begin (re)building these relationships, Second Nature is bringing together colleges and universities from across the Midwest to intentionally focus on how we communicate and build solidarity across our differences to move climate action forward. Learn more about the event and register.
Support for BIPOC attendees: We have funding available on a first come, first served basis for members of the BIPOC Community to attend. This includes a $350 stipend to cover associated costs of attendance for 25 registrants. Please fill out this form by July 26, 2023; we will get back to you within one week of receiving the form. Email Cami Sockow with questions.
Date: September 11-12, 2023
Where: Menominee Casino and Resort, East Central Wisconsin
RELEVANT RESOURCES
If you missed it, recordings are available for webinars in the Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in Federal Research and Management series from the Climate Adaptation Science Centers of the U.S. Geologic Survey. These webinars explore how to ethically engage with Indigenous Knowledge in our work to address climate change. Access recordings of the webinars through the USGS.
Scroll down to access webinar recordings.
RAPID RECOGNITIONS
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Releases 2023-2025 Climate Action Plan
UWGB's new interim Climate Action Plan details progress made towards decarbonization. Notably, the campus has reduced its annual natural gas combustion by 16% and reduced its annual purchased electricity by 19% since 2005. Their Climate Action Plan outlines steps to build on these important achievements. Read the plan here.
CELEBERATE
Welcoming Second Nature's New Team Members
We are pleased to introduced the newest additions to Second Nature's growing team!
Hazel Ammons is a summer intern with Second Nature from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They attend Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and will be entering their junior year this fall. Hazel is studying Environmental Science and Sustainability with a minor in Art, Science, and Innovation. Their studies focus primarily on environmental justice, sustainable development, and climate change impacts. Hazel is thrilled to be with Second Nature this summer and excited to learn more about climate change solutions in higher education!
Padmini Das is a Tisch Summer Fellow. She is an India-trained lawyer who has written on a range of public interest and private sector matters. Her experience includes corporate law, public policy, and financial news media. She has worked at the state and federal levels of the Indian government on legislative research, pollution control, women’s safety, and conflict resolution. She holds a master's in international law from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. Her research covers international governance and climate security.
Bari Samad is the Director of Communications and Marketing. Over the past 20 years, he has executed a range of successful communications campaigns for mission-driven organizations. He's driven by a deep commitment to racial, socioeconomic, and environmental justice and a passion for leveraging the digital medium for storytelling, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. He has secured coverage from PBS NewsHour, the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Guardian. Bari holds an M.A. in International Relations.
Samantha Thomas is the Climate Program Manager for Data and Evaluation at Second Nature. In her position, Samantha is responsible for leading data analysis and evaluating programs in support of Second Nature’s mission. She plays a vital role in ensuring that organizational resources effectively support decarbonization efforts in higher education. Samantha provides insights and recommendations to the leadership team while also supporting the activities and effectiveness of program staff.
Molly Toth is the Communications and Marketing Manager for Second Nature, responsible for creating content and messaging that elevates the work of Second Nature and the campuses in its network to advance climate action. Prior to joining the team at Second Nature, Molly was the Communications and Content Manager for the National Aviary. She is currently a graduate student studying ecological grief and science communication at Miami University.
Gloria Ulloa-Soto, a summer intern with Second Nature, is a rising Junior at Allegheny College majoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability and minoring in Global Health Studies. She lives in Oakland, California where she enjoys playing volleyball with her siblings and taking her puppy out on walks. She is interning with Second Nature for 12 weeks to increase her exposure to climate justice work and the nonprofit sector. Her interests include urban ecology/urban design, agriculture, and endangered species.
Accelerate Your Climate Awareness.
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