City Learning: New fellowship in Philly provides environmental research experience

Image via esf.edu/urban/Are you a graduate or undergraduate student studying urban and environmental studies? Are you interested in topics like landscape architecture, engineering, conservation and urban natural resources? The new Sustainability Science Fellowship is an ideal opportunity to put those interests to practice right here in Philadelphia.

The fellowship, a new program of the U.S. Forest Service, City of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Horticultural society, will provide students with research experience aimed at promoting environmental literacy and increasing the number of young scientists within the field.

Projects proposed should foster collaboration, science delivery, and communication to help sustain the environmental well-being of Philadelphia’s urban areas. Students will be paired with Forest Service scientists who will serve as mentors and help oversee the completion of each project. For more information visit the Philadelphia Field Station website.

Applications are due to the Philadelphia Field Station by February 20.

Sustainable 2012: An Eco-Expo to start a green new year

Looking to brush up on eco-friendly practices in the new year? Then join Congregation Beth Or this Sunday, January 22 at their Eco-Expo. 

A day-long celebration of sustainability, this free, non-religious event features more than 30 environmentally-friendly exhibitors in renewable energy, composting, agriculture, transportation and more. A LEED-certified architect, will be offering green construction and renovation tips at a special “Ask the Architect” booth and there will be activities for kids, like paper-making and seed-planting.

The expo is also hosting various speakers, including the keynote Michel Krancer, Pennsylvania’s secretary for environmental protection, who’ll talk about the controversial natural gas drilling happening in the state.

And don’t forget to bring your alkaline batteries and hard-to-recycle packaging materials, like Styrofoam, for the special recycling collection. 

For a full list of speakers and times, visit here. The Eco-Expo is happening Sunday, January 22, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Or (239 Welsh Rd., Maple Glen, Pa.) 

- Anna Louise Neiger

Make an Impact: Grant available for Philly environmental nonprofits

For nonprofits, funding can be critical to beingsuccessful. And as the economy continues to struggle, finding these necessary funds can be even more challenging. But Impact100 Philadelphia can help. A women’s philanthropic group touted as a “collective giving organization,” Impact100 funds lesser known organizations with projects that reach under-served populations. And they’re looking for a environmental nonprofit to give to!

This year, Impact100 has $242,000 to award: two high-impact grants of $100,000, and three general operating grants that total $42,000. The grants will be given to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Impact100’s five focus areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Family, Health and Wellness, and Environment.

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Blast Off: New Age Blasting Media uses recycled glass in a creative way

Did you know that most blast cleaning in the United States—used on public spaces like bridges, buildings and sidewalks—is done with industrial coal waste? Yup, industrial coal waste (or coal slag): the very same substance causing an environmental and public health disaster after a spill in Tennessee, and the same black muck that Lesley Stahl was warned to wash off her boots during a recent 60 Minutes piece.

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