Knowing is not Doing

Through one of the many services our library provides I have the tables of contents of certain journals sent to my email automatically, and this time an interesting article popped up in Biodiversity and Conservation.  Habel et al. point out that we can't assume that the goals of conservation scientists are the same as conservation managers.  They can be talking past each other or even working at cross purposes.  I wonder if the same thing happens between those who study sustainability and those attempting to engage in it?  "Mind the gaps when using science to address conservation concerns."
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Friday at the Library: COME CELEBRATE!

There will be all kinds of celebrations in the Library this Friday afternoon and we hope to see you all there!

1-2 PM. Library Skybridge.  Celebrating 50 years of providing government information to the public!  We have been a federal depository library since 1962 and we will be showing off with cake, speeches, and displays of weird government documents (jigsaw puzzles, comic books, how-to-grow-hemp).  Did we mention cake?

2-3:30 PM.   Library Presentation Room.  (Wilson Library 164).  Four Western professors, all expert researchers, will explain how they use government information in their work.  One will be Andy Bach of Huxley College's  Department of Environmental Studies.

4-6 PM.  Main Reading Room (Wilson Library 4 Central) The opening of the Northwest Collection in its new home, the Main Reading Room.  There will be a reception from 4-5 and from 5-6 John Scurlock, a great Washington photographer, will discuss his pictures of the Cascades.

Oh, and a bonus!  All day go to Special Collections (Wilson Library 6th Floor) to see "The Owl and the Woodpecker," a display of amazing photographs by Washington photographer Paul Bannick.

Next week is the big week

Click here for a larger view.

Telling the Sustainability Story

You never know where the S-word (okay, the good S-word) is going to jump out at you.  I was reading the October issue of PRINT magazine, a graphic design journal, and found an article by Jeremy Lehrer, called "The Sustainability Saga."  (If that link gives you trouble, go here, select Academic Search Complete, and search for the title.)

The article is about two companies working in communications about sustainability.  Jonah Sachs, is the founder of Free Range Studios, and author of Winning The Story Wars.  He has helped non-profits such as Greenpeace and Global Zero tell their stories in advertisements, and co-created Annie Leonard's classic film The Story of Stuff.  That movie has been seen 35 million times on the web.  Interesting piece.
 

Library on Two Wheels

In Denver (oh, those elevations!) the Public Library has a branch on a bicycle.  How cool is that?  Thanks to Going Green @ Your Library for the tip.

Social Justice Panel Discussion - Thursday, 10/24/13

Don't miss this great event on Thursday, October 24, as a panel of educators come together to talk about the ethical and moral issues facing us as we respond to the impact of climate change. Click here for more information about this event.

Flat Stanley and Flat Stella

I'm the government information librarian so I was checking out which websites are closed due to the government shutdown.  You will be thrilled to know that Flat Stanley and Flat Stella are still hard at work at the EPA promoting sustainability.  Way to go, kids! 

Early Warming - Western Reads panel tomorrow evening!

Tomorrow evening you have the opportunity to join a diverse group of panelists  with expertise in environmental studies and science (Andy Bunn, Grace Wang, and Chris Linder) as they discuss the "Western Reads" book of the quarter, Early Warming: Crisis and Response in the Climate-Changed North by Nancy Lord.

Western Reads Science Panel Discussion

WHEN: 10/17/2013 7:00 pm

WHERE: Village Books, 1200 11th St., 

Bellingham

, 

Washington 

98225-7015

The Owl & the Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Paul Bannick. 

I am pleased to share with you that Western Libraries is now hosting the amazing exhibit: The Owl & the Woodpecker in Washington: Photographs by Paul Bannick. Award winning photographer Paul Bannick examines the intertwined life histories of owls and woodpeckers and the unique roles they play in defining and enriching their often-threatened habitats. 

The exhibit, housed in Western Libraries' Special Collections space on the 6th floor of Wilson Library, is now open for viewing from October 14, 2013 through December 31, 2013 during regular Special Collections hours (closed on weekends and on major holidays). Come check out these gorgeous pictures of extraordinary birds! (Western Libraries is also planning an event with a guest speaker to further highlight this wonderful exhibit, details coming TBA soon.)

The Owl & the Woodpecker in Washington was organized by the Burke Museum, University of Washington, created with Paul Bannick and Braided River, a partner of The Mountaineers Books. Sponsorship of the local presentation of The Owl & the Woodpecker in Washington is provided by Western Libraries.

Trash Dance at the Pickford

As part of their Doctober special, the Pickford is showing what sounds like an  interesting flick tomorrow:

Sometimes inspiration is found in unexpected places. Choreographer Allison Orr finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks — and in the men and women who pick up our trash. She joins city sanitation workers on their daily routes to listen, learn, and ultimately to try to convince them to collaborate in a unique dance performance. Hard working, often carrying a second job, their lives are already full with work, family and dreams of their own. But some step forward, and after months of rehearsal, two dozen trash collectors and their trucks perform an extraordinary spectacle. On an abandoned airport runway, thousands of people show up to see how in the world a garbage truck can “dance.”

Thursday, October 10th 5:45 PM

Peace Corps Volunteer Sharing Her Story TODAY!

WWU alumna Samantha Russell will be on campus today to talk about her experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji, where she will soon be returning to finish her service. Come listen to her share her story, and take advantage of this great opportunity to learn more about the Peace Corps!

The event is happening today (10/9) from 4:00 to 5:00pm in AW 204. For more info, check out the Western Today article, or contact Jill MacIntyre Witt, WWU's Campus Peace Corps Representative, at (360) 650-3017.

Lunch and Learn about Sustainability!

Western Sustainability invites students, faculty,  staff and the public to a new series of “Lunch & Learn” Sustainability Conversations, Fall Quarter 2013.

These events are a continuation of the successful Sustainability Conversation series  in the Western Libraries last year, hosted by Western Sustainability, in collaboration with the Teaching-Learning Academy and Western Libraries Sustainability Team.

All Fall 2013 Lunch & Learn conversations are held on Tuesdays, from 12:30 - 1:30 pm. October 8th and November 5th and 19th events are located in Wilson 265 (TLA seating area). The December 3rd conversation, potluck lunch will be at Fairhaven College, - room # TBA.

October 8 –  Got Green Campus Ideas?

If  you are looking to make the campus greener, more sustainable, more energy efficient, join the conversation with  Western’s A.S. Green Energy Fee Program Coordinator Regan Clover, and Education Coordinator Sadie Normoyle, and learn more at this week’s Lunch & Learn Sustainability Conversation.  http://www.wwu.edu/sustain/programs/gef/

Anyone in the campus community can apply for a Small Grant between $500 and $2,000, or a Large Grant between $2,000 and $300,000. Western’s students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit proposals for the 2013-2014 Green Energy Fee Grant Program.   Proposal due dates are just around the corner, so come, talk, and learn more.

Tuesday, Oct 8. 12:30 – 1:30 – Wilson 265 – tea, mugs, hot water, and comfortable seating provided.  Bring your lunch if you like.

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Lunch & Learn Sustainability  Conversations Calendar for the rest of Fall Quarter below - more details to come:

November 5 – The role of the Arts in Sustainability, with

Katy Borden, WWU Graduate, Artist Services Coordinator, Allied Arts of Whatcom County

November 19 – Libraries: A sustainable and Sustaining Resource, with Rick Osen, Assistant Dean, Western Libraries;  Clarissa Mansfield, Rob Lopresti,  Shevell Thibou, Western Libraries Sustainability Team

December 3 –Sustainable Food: local food, small-scale farming, permaculture, relational eating, experiential learning, nourishment, beauty, fun and chickens. 

Location: Fairhaven College & the Outback Experiential Learning Center.   This conversation includes a potluck lunch, with optional Outback Farm tour afterward!

Green Energy Fee Grant Program Idea Labs Start This Week!

Earth 911

Here's an interesting website with some practical suggestions for recycling - and some that strike me as more work than they are worth.  But hey,  making mosaics out of celebrities' garbage was never my thing.