Saturday morning guided walks (student and staff led, RSVP required). Dates for Guided Hikes at Stebbins Cold Canyon, organized and led by UC Davis undergraduate interns involved in the Student Education Outreach Program of the John Muir Institute of the Environment, are now on the schedule on the sidebar. Learn about the human history of the reserve, as well as about the plants and animals that call Stebbins Cold Canyon home. Reservations for this season’s outings can now be made by email. Please include the date you would like to attend (from the most current list) and the number of individuals in your party.

UC Davis students have taken the lead in organizing this year’s outings. They are offering guided walks along the Homestead Trail, a relatively gentle 2-mile roundtrip (although the trail is rough in places), as well as more challenging guided hikes up to the Blue Ridge overlook (approximately 3 miles roundtrip, but with a 1,300-foot altitude gain).

It has turned out to be an exceptional spring for wildflowers out at the canyon this year. The bush lupines, sticky monkeyflower and fairy lanterns are at their peaks right now. The stream is still running nicely, although the flow has dropped noticeably over the last couple of weeks. A few California newts are still hanging out in some of the deeper pools, and pipevine swallowtail butterflies are everywhere!

Stebbins schedule of Saturday events:

May 12 Homestead nature hike (easy)
May 19 Homestead nature hike (easy)
May 19 Blue Ridge overlook guided hike (strenuous)
May 26 Homestead nature hike (easy)
May 26 Kids’ S.C.E.N.E. (Stebbins Canyon Environment and Nature Exploration) – a family-oriented day at the reserve targeted at kids ~5-9 years old.
June 2 Homestead nature hike (easy)
June 2 Blue Ridge overlook guided hike (strenuous)

For these activities, please email (jjclary@ucdavis.edu) to reserve a spot.

Also offered are the Friday morning “pick up” guided hikes at 10:00 a.m., without reservation, until summer heat becomes too unpleasant (check nrs.ucdavis.edu/Stebbins.html for updates). These provide an opportunity for you to show up and spend some time with UC Davis Natural Reserve staff and interns for less-structured interaction – the focus will be on whatever interests attendees have about the reserve.

The mission of the University of California Natural Reserve System (NRS) is to contribute to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. In 1965, the University of California began creating a network of protected sites that would represent California’s rich ecological diversity.

These outdoor classrooms and laboratories make long-term studies of California’s natural environment possible. Most NRS reserves are closed to the public to protect research projects from disturbance – Stebbins Cold Canyon is a rare exception where research, teaching and public access coexist. The NRS is the largest university-operated system of natural reserves in the world. The NRS reserves are used by students, teachers, and researchers from the University of California, and from educational institutions around the world. Help us protect the educational mission of this site by respecting all signs of research activity (flagging, plots, marked plants, insect traps, etc.) that you may see along the trails.

http://johnmuir.ucdavis.edu/events/2033/saturday-morning-guided-walks-in-may

We need your help to turn this dirt patch into a beautiful orchard garden. We are holding a Day of Service to prepare the site for irrigation installation in Fall 2012.

Here are the details:

• When-Sunday, April 15^th starting at 10 AM sharp (lasting until about 3 PM). We appreciate any time you can give us!
• Where-Find table near Hoagland hall (Plot of land between the Eucalyptus grove—across from the campus tri Co-ops, Hoagland Hall, and Mann Lab
• What-Tearing out shrubs and existing lawn, installing plastic solarization and sheet mulching experiments, general site preparation
• Who-Strong and spirited volunteers! Please wear proper gardening attire (sturdy, comfortable shoes and clothes that don’t mind a little dirt)
• Why-To increase public gardens and give all UCD students and staff a more enjoyable place to spend their time on campus.

Please contact Kelly Torres at kktorres@ucdavis.edu for more details. Light snacks will be provided. Please RSVP so we have enough garden gloves and snacks for everyone. Event happens in the event of light rain or shine!

SACOG and regional partners are in the process of developing a name for the efforts to expand the reach of electric vehicles and could use your help in evaluating our top choices. Please take this survey to provide feedback on four proposed names which aim to encompass our efforts promoting electric vehicle integration and adoption. Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated and should only take a minute or two.

The survey can be found here. Please respond to the survey by Wednesday, April 11^th.

·      ENCOURAGES REFLECTION upon and analysis of the principles of sustainability
·      PROMOTES DIALOUGE between students, faculty, staff administration, and the local community
·      Participate in ACTION RESEARCH TEAMS (ART’S) for 2 additional units, focusing on sustainable transportation, food systems, energy, green building, etc. If interested in leading an ART, please email gmlipari [at] ucdavs [dot] edu

PLS 198: CRN 87711
ESP 198: CRN 73785
ESP 298: CRN 73841

Check out our Davis Wiki Page for more information! http://daviswiki.org/Education_For_Sustainable_Living_Program

Botany Research Scholarship Program.
Northern California Botanists provides competitive botany and plant
ecology research scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students
attending a college and university. Research scholarships will be funded
by NCB with the goals of encouraging undergraduate students to pursue
academic endeavors toward a career in botany, promoting undergraduate and
graduate botany and plant ecology research, and implementing objectives of
the NCB mission.

Research scholarships consist of $1,000 awards, designed to support basic
undergraduate and graduate research. Students may reapply and receive a
scholarship award up to a maximum of two years for undergraduates and
graduates pursuing a Masters degree and up to a maximum of four years for
graduate students pursuing a Doctorate degree.

Applications for the 2012-2013 school year are due March 31, 2012.
Download the application package at:
www.norcalbotanists.org/scholarships.htm<http://www.norcalbotanists.org/sch
olarships.htm>

ABOUT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS
www.norcalbotanists.org/<http://www.norcalbotanists.org/>

“Northern California Botanists is an organization with the purpose of
increasing knowledge and communication among agency, consulting, academic,
and other botanists about botanical issues concerning science,
conservation, education, and professional development. Our primary
objectives are to establish a communication forum via occasional meetings,
a scholarship fund for students working on botanical problems in northern
California, a job forum, and an annual symposium that focuses on the
botany of northern California.”

——————————

Study: California Civic Engagement Project (CCEP) – Center for Regional Change
Winter 2012 – may extend through Spring 2012
Time: 10-20 hrs/wk

This position will support data collection and analysis for the California Civic Engagement Project (CCEP): http://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/projects/california-civic-engagement-project-ccep

Duties will include, but may not be limited to, data organization, data entry and creation of written and graphical reports. Desired skills and prior work experience include:
• High competency in Microsoft Excel
• Familiarity in STATA is preferred
• Background/interest in governance, civic engagement, and/or youth issues is a plus

Interested Graduate or Undergraduate students should contact Mindy Romero, Center for Regional: msromero [at] ucdavis [dot] edu

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is seeking a Climate and Energy Program Officer for the Environment Program.

About the Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has been making grants since 1967 to help solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world. The Foundation focuses on education, environment, global development and population, performing arts, philanthropy, and issues that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2011, the Foundation’s assets were approximately $7 billion, with annual grants totaling about $320 million. For more information about the Hewlett Foundation, please visit the website at http://www.hewlett.org/.

Program Officer – Climate and Energy

The Environment Program typically makes grants of $50 million per year focused on three issue areas:

1. Climate change and energy policy;
2. Western conservation policy; and
3. Environmental issues affecting poor communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In addition to this grantmaking, the Hewlett Foundation helped launch and continues to fund the ClimateWorks Foundation, which is working to reduce the risk of climate change by advancing policies in nations with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. The Foundation’s annual grant to the ClimateWorks Foundation is approximately $100 million.

The Climate and Energy Program Officer will report to the Environment Program Director and be based in Menlo Park, California. The Program Officer must have experience in climate and energy policy development and advocacy and be able to apply his or her experience domestically and internationally. Moreover, the Program Officer must have a proven ability to think strategically and understand how policy advocacy creates policy change.

In addition to developing and implementing climate and energy grantmaking strategy, the Program Officer will serve as a catalyst and convener—bringing together environmental leaders and other public and private sector stakeholders. Consequently, the Program Officer must have a demonstrated record of success working with a diverse array of partners to achieve specific policy and programmatic outcomes.

The Program Officer must thrive in a work environment filled with the exploration of new ideas and approaches to addressing complex problems. Joining a team of ten professionals, the new Program Officer will be challenged to meet the following broad goals and responsibilities:

• Developing, testing, refining, and implementing climate and energy grantmaking strategies.
  Communicating strategies to grantees, staff, and partner funders and making other presentations as needed to a wide array of audiences.
• Assessing the organizational development needs of grantee nonprofit organizations and helping to develop organizational development plans to strengthen the ability of grantees to achieve their goals.
• Developing and tracking effective measures of progress toward achievement of the Foundation’s climate and energy goals and leading evaluations of climate and energy grants and initiatives.
  *Making site visits, attending conferences, and representing Foundation programs to the public and to climate and energy leaders.
• Reviewing and assessing climate and energy grant proposals.
• Contributing to the Foundation’s interest in and practice of strategic philanthropy including due diligence, goal-setting and review of business plans, knowledge building, and evaluation.
• Maintaining knowledge of trends, practices, laws, and other related aspects of the field.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups of professionals and professional organizations, foundations, and funding sources.

The Program Officer should possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• Extensive experience and broad recognition as a climate and energy policy leader with a proven track record of success working on policy issues at state, federal, and/or international levels.
• An understanding of the key climate and energy issues in the United States and ideally, other high greenhouse gas emitting nations such as China, the European Union, and India.
• A sophisticated knowledge of policymaking and a demonstrated ability to navigate these issues diplomatically.
• Experience with strategy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Strong ability to manage multiple high priority projects simultaneously and to consistently meet deadlines.
• Graduate degree in the sciences, public policy, or related fields.
• Proven talent in staff management and budgeting.
• The ability and flexibility to travel extensively.

Personal Attributes:

• Articulate, with proven ability to write effectively and speak persuasively.
• Superlative interpersonal skills, including a willingness to listen to internal and external constituents and learn from their best ideas.
• Highly motivated with intellectual curiosity, approachability, and openness to input from all levels of staff.
• Personable, diplomatic, and possessing impeccable integrity.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic, and tactical abilities.
• Proven team player and leader able to motivate and inspire staff as well as colleagues to work well as a team.
• Good sense of humor.

Compensation and Benefits
The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience and education. This position is exempt and full-time.

To Apply
Please email your resume and cover letter to Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company, at resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to the Hewlett Foundation Climate and Energy Program Officer position. No phone inquiries please.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates for this search. The Foundation uses an outside firm to check the accuracy of information supplied by applicants.

The Contra Costa Water District is currently recruiting for a 2012 summer internship position in their Planning Department. The position is an excellent opportunity for engineering/hydrology minded students to increase their familiarity with California water resources and get hands on experience with how a water service provider operates. They are currently accepting applications at: http://www.ccwater.com/Intern/Index.asp

More information about the Planning Department internship can be found at http://www.ccwater.com/Intern/Intern-Planning12.pdf

They are accepting applications through early February and plan to select a candidate in early March 2012.

More about the Contra Costa Water District:
The Contra Costa Water District delivers safe, clean water to approximately 500,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California. Formed in 1936 to provide water for irrigation and industry, CCWD is now one of the largest urban water districts in California and a leader in drinking-water treatment technology and source water protection.

To Apply: fill out a brief questionnaire on the website and attach your resume. Check website for more details.

Spend the summer at the Economic Research Service (ERS) 355 E Street, SW, Washington, DC as an Economist, Economics Assistant, and Information Technology (IT) Specialist.

There are currently multiple summer internship positions available. Please see the website for more details on each internship individually.

Qualifications For All Applicants

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Applicants must be planning to continue their education in the fall semester.
• Because an internship is an “excepted service appointment,” candidates must be a citizen of the United States or meet the criteria in the current appropriations law. For information see: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index//Interactive/NonCitizensEmployment#icc

Your application must include:

• Announcement number(s)
  o ERS-0100 for Economist and Economics Assistant
  o ERS-0101 for Information Technology Specialist (Web Design)
  o ERS-0102 for Information Technology Specialist (Customer Support)
• Resume cover sheet form (fillable form)*
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• A copy of your unofficial college transcript with your application, and if selected, your official college transcripts will be required to verify education prior to employment (courses to be completed by spring 2012, and you may fax your transcripts (202-245-5604) if you are emailing your resume).
• OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp
• Veteran’s Preference- submit your DD-214
  (if applicable.)

What To Expect Next:

• You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of your application. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications once a final decision is made. This could be approximately 30-45 days after the closing date of the announcement. If your email address changes, make certain you update it by emailing erssummerintern@ers.usda.gov. All documents must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on March 02, 2012.

Submit your application by the close of business on March 02, 2012 via e-mail or fax. You may also submit your application by Fedex or UPS to:

Loretta Miller
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Economic Research Service
355 E Street, SW
Room 7s-69
Washington, D.C. 20024
Fax: (202) 245-5604
E-mail: erssummerinterns@ers.usda.gov

Note:
If your application is submitted by email, make sure all documents are submitted. You may fax your unofficial transcripts if needed. For more information on ERS, its programs, and products, visit ERS website at: http://www.ers.usda.gov

UC Davis Horticulture CRSP is seeking a Communications Coordinator

Position Description:

Under general direction of the Horticulture CRSP Director (HCD) and Associate Director (AD), facilitate communications, reports, and outreach activities. Provide professional level writing, research, and editorial support for the program, and manage program reporting requirements to USAID.

Responsible for managing and generating website design and content; creative development, writing, and generation of program publications; synthesizing information and reports generated from scientific projects for stakeholders, policymakers, and other audiences.

Provide general program support for the Director and Associate Director.

For further information regarding this position, please visit the job listing:

https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1327351747977

position is open until filled