Your Very Next Step newsletter for November 2014
By Ned Lundquist
www.yourverynextstep.com
“Wild beasts and birds are by right not the property merely of the people who are alive today, but the property of unknown generations, whose belongings we have no right to squander.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu
This edition of “Your very next step” comes to you from San Diego, California
“Your Very Next Step” adventure/outdoors/conservation newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged to participate. Share your adventures with the network today! Send to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** To subscribe for free:
Send us your comments, questions, and contributions to lundquist989@cs.com.
Contact Ned at lundquist989@cs.com.
*** In this issue:
*** Ned’s upcoming travel
*** Travel Tip: Visiting National Parks in the Off Season
*** Why you should visit national parks in the off-season
*** Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™
*** Virginia Feral Hog Action Team newsletter
*** 10 Airlines That Still Give Flyers Free Perks
*** The Top 10 Air Travel Pet Peeves
*** Travel with the National Parks Conservation Association
*** Rail Trail of the Month:
New Jersey’s Columbia Trail
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Volunteers/Internships, Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Calipatria, Ca.
2.) Habitat Restoration and Assessment Surveys, Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, AZ
3.) Adopt a Trail or Shelter, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
4.) Bark Mulch Packers, Backcountry Composting Sites, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
5.) Interpretive Volunteers, Santa Clara County, Open Space Authority, San Jose, CA
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Lead paddler 2015, Coastal Odyssey/kayak more tomorrow, Ålesund, Norway
2.) Waitstaff, Turpin Meadow Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.) University of Minnesota Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies Dept. Outdoor Recreation Immersion Semester.
4.) Press Secretary , Conservation Law Foundation, Boston, MA
5.) Government Relations Internship, The Wilderness Society, Washington, DC
6.) Communcations Manager, Four Corners, The Wilderness Society, Denver, CO
7.) Trail Guide, Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, MN
8.) Adventure Forest, Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN
…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!
*** Do you have a travel adventure, conservation or outdoor update to share?
Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps:
November 18-20, San Diego, California
November 24-27, Doha, Qatar
December 8-10, Aubu Dhabi, UAE
January 27-30 Genoa, Italy
*** Travel Tip: Visiting National Parks in the Off Season
http://petergreenberg.com/2014/10/06/travel-tip-visiting-national-parks-season/
*** Why you should visit national parks in the off-season
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/11/05/why-should-visit-national-parks-in-off-season/
*** Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™
The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ (officially recognized by the U.S. EPA) has engaged tens of thousands of young volunteers (kids, teens, and college-age youth) from around the world in environmental cleanup and conservation projects since 1999. This program has received multiple awards from the City of Albuquerque, a “Best Community Impact” award from Eastern Kentucky University, and is featured on thousands of web sites. View recent Apprentice Ecologist Projects and past Apprentice Ecologist Awards to get ideas for your own environmental stewardship project. The goals of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ are to:
- Elevate youth into leadership roles by engaging them in environmental cleanup and conservation projects,
- Empower young people to rebuild the environmental and social well-being of our communities,
- Improve local living conditions for both citizens and wildlife through education, activism, and action.
Here’s how to become an official Apprentice Ecologist and be considered for a scholarship:
- Conduct your own environmental stewardship project in 2014 .
- Take a few digital photos of your project in action.
- Write an essay about your project and what it meant to you.
- Register and upload your favorite project photo along with your essay.
Examples of projects that other Apprentice Ecologists have completed in the past include:
- Removing and recycling trash from a local park, river, beach, or other natural area
- Planting native trees at a school, local park, or in a deforested area
- Starting a community or school recycling/composting program
- Protecting a terrestrial or aquatic area for native wildlife
- Promoting the conservation of an endangered species or area
- Educating others about wildlife or conservation issues
- Removing graffiti from natural areas
- Taking steps to prevent pollution/contamination locally
- Removing nonnative vegetation so that native vegetation can flourish
- Improving awareness about the importance of using renewable energy sources
- Reducing soil erosion by maintaining established trails and closing off short-cuts
- Assisting the elderly with their yards by planting/maintaining vegetation that provides native wildlife habitat
Building a rain garden that utilizes roof runoff to grow vegetation that provides native wildlife habitat
After uploading your project photo and essay, we will publish your work on our Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists and provide links to download an official Apprentice Ecologist heat transfer (for T-shirt). Please only upload an image that you took or one that you have permission to post (this avoids copyright problems). If you do not have a project photo, simply upload the NWP logo image along with your essay. An NWP tote bag (made with organic cotton) will be awarded to the authors of the 10 best essays on an annual basis. School and community groups, especially those working with at-risk and disadvantaged youth, are highly encouraged to participate.
Three scholarships totaling $850 will be awarded annually to the authors of the three best Apprentice Ecologist essays. The top author will also receive a personalized crystal award courtesy of Crown Awards & Trophies. By registering and submitting your essay, you will automatically be considered for a scholarship. Be sure to include your full contact information (always private) when registering so that we can process any scholarships/awards that you may win. Scholarships are available to any student (ages 13 to 21) who is a candidate for a degree/diploma at a primary (middle school), secondary (high school), or accredited post-secondary (undergraduate at college or university) educational institution from any country around the world. The award covers 1) tuition and fees to enroll in or attend an accredited post-secondary (undergraduate or graduate at college or university) educational institution and/or 2) fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses. Applicants should embody the spirit of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ by demonstrating personal leadership, initiative, and environmental stewardship in their project. Essays will be judged by a committee of Nicodemus Wilderness Project board members, volunteers, and past Apprentice Ecologist award winners. Please see tips below for additional elements that the committee considers important when judging essays.
While there is no minimum/maximum length for essays, most of our past winners have written essays that ranged from about 750 to 1,500 words long. The deadline for uploading your Apprentice Ecologist project essay is midnight GMT on December 31, 2014 .
Winners of the annual Apprentice Ecologist Awards will be published online on Earth Day (April 22).
Note: There is a separate Apprentice Ecologist Open Space Initiative scholarship if your project benefitted any lands managed or co-managed by the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division.
Important tips for writing an award-winning essay about your Apprentice Ecologist project:
Briefly describe your personal background and why you chose to do an Apprentice Ecologist project on behalf of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project.
- Name and describe the area where you conducted your project.
- Provide details about what you did and accomplished during your project.
- If your project was part of a multi-year effort, focus your essay on the work that you conducted in 2014 .
- Describe why you think it is important to take care of the area where you conducted your project.
- Explain how your project helps benefit your community and the environment.
- Describe how your Apprentice Ecologist Project has helped to enrich your life and what it has inspired you to do in the future.
- Check and correct any spelling and grammatical errors prior to submitting your essay.
Important tips for conducting a safe and successful Apprentice Ecologist project:
- Listen to weather reports and plan your project accordingly.
- Always stay with at least one other person. Teams of three or more are preferable.
- Make sure that someone knows where, when, and for how long you will be out.
- Look out for poisonous plants, venomous snakes, and stinging insects.
- Leave syringes and needles alone! Notify authorities about their location.
- Bring or wear: boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, water, food.
- Notify landowners about your plans prior to conducting your project.
If you need help or have questions, you can contact us any time at: mail@wildernessproject.org.
http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist.php
*** Virginia Feral Hog Action Team newsletter
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/feral-hogs/pdf/the-sounder-october-2014.pdf
*** 10 Airlines That Still Give Flyers Free Perks
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/10/30/free-flight-amenities/18115351/
*** The Top 10 Air Travel Pet Peeves
http://successfulmeetings.com/Strategy/SM-Top-10/The-Top-10-Air-Travel-Pet-Peeves/?cid=eltrTop10
*** Travel with the National Parks Conservation Association
http://www.npca.org/exploring-our-parks/travel-with-npca/
*** Rail Trail of the Month:
New Jersey’s Columbia Trail
http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2014/october/16/new-jerseys-columbia-trail/
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Volunteers/Internships, Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Calipatria, Ca.
http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/volunteer.html
2.) Habitat Restoration and Assessment Surveys, Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, AZ
http://www.skyislandalliance.org/volunteer.htm
3.) Adopt a Trail or Shelter, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
Help enhance the hiking experience for everyone by becoming a Long Trail adopter. We can help you get started on basic maintenance of a trail or shelter. Whether you want to volunteer on your own, with your family, or with your outing group, maintaining the Long Trail is a great way to give a little back to the Green Mountains. For a current listing of available trails and shelters click here or contact Thorin Markison at tmarkinson@greenmountainclub.org.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=388
4.) Bark Mulch Packers, Backcountry Composting Sites, Long Trail System, Green Mountain Club, Vermont
Mulch Packers carry 40-50 lb. bags of bark mulch into backcountry shelters over rugged terrain for use at composting privy sites. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for backpacking trips and scheduling is flexible to meet your needs.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/images/File/Shawn_Flanigan/Bark_Mulch_Packer_01_03_2008.pdf
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=9
5.) Interpretive Volunteers, Santa Clara County, Open Space Authority, San Jose, CA
Interpretation is about providing an enjoyable nature experience and a positive memory. A comfortable and fun environment encourages people to make connections between their lives and the natural world. Visitors learn through conversations, activities, stories, and close observation of their surroundings. The goal is to leave them with a sense of nature’s value and significance rather than filling them up with facts.
The OSA program explores a wide range of topics related to the open space areas of Santa Clara County. Hikes and activities are designed to appeal to people of different ages, backgrounds and levels of outdoor experience.
Volunteers have the opportunity to serve as interpretive docents or aides and lead or help with hikes, activities and outreach events.
Interpretive Aides
Helping at events, day camps, hikes and other OSA activities can be a one-time volunteer job or an ongoing commitment. Aides will have the chance to receive training in the materials and activities used to engage the interest and curiosity of young visitors.
Docents
Interpretive training photoInterpretive training
Being a docent is a chance to share your personal interest in nature or the cultural history of the south bay area and have a good time doing it. Docents can learn how to present OSA programs on topics such as early Ohlone Indians or mountain lions. And they can work under the direction of the Interpreter to develop an appropriate nature program on a favorite subject of their own. All docents need is an interest in the outdoors and a desire to help others learn.
Besides learning about the different subjects relevant to open space preservation, docents will receive training in such interpretive skills as how to work with groups, create interesting programs and use hands-on materials. Docents-in-training will also have the opportunity to partner with experienced docents and interpreters in front of “live” audiences in order to polish their skills.
For more information, call Interpreter Teri Rogoway at 408-224-7476 or send an email to trogoway@openspaceauthority.org.
http://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteer/interpretivevolunteers.html
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Lead paddler 2015, Coastal Odyssey/kayak more tomorrow, Ålesund, Norway
http://kayakmoretomorrow.com/about/careers/job-application/lead-paddler/
2.) Waitstaff, Turpin Meadow Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.) University of Minnesota Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies Dept. Outdoor Recreation Immersion Semester.
http://www.cehd.umn.edu/future/undergraduate/majors/Recreation/default.html
*** From Carol Gregory:
4.) Press Secretary , Conservation Law Foundation, Boston, MA
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) seeks a proactive and strategic Press Secretary with advocacy, political and/or campaign experience to oversee the nonprofit environmental organization’s day-to-day external communications and media outreach. The Press Secretary must have strong relationships with national and New England news decision makers (reporters, broadcast producers, editorial boards, influential bloggers), a proven track record for generating positive earned media coverage, excellent writing skills, an innate understanding of leveraging the changing digital landscape to increase visibility, and the ability to turn complex topics into messages that resonate with various audiences. S/he will take the lead on identifying opportunities and platforms for increasing CLF’s visibility, training CLF staff as spokespeople, monitoring the news, and preparing media reports for key stakeholders. The Press Secretary is a member of the Communications and Marketing Department, and reports to the Vice President of Communications and Marketing.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Serves as the lead on all media outreach and is the point of contact for media calls and inquiries.
- Develops, strengthens, and maintains regular contact with news decision makers including reporters, broadcast producers, editors, and influential bloggers on both the regional and national level.
- Turns CLF’s work into newsworthy stories, and takes the lead on pitching those stories to media (print, broadcast, online).
- Monitors news and develops rapid response to relevant breaking stories that are opportunities for pushing CLF’s position, programs, and experts. Must be able to write quickly under pressure, and efficiently collaborate with advocacy staff in creating and implementing efficient and rapid response.
- Identifies strategic media targets and maintains media database.
- Writes or edits external content for media including press releases, news advisories, statements, and opinion pieces.
- Oversees and plans press events including press conferences, teleconferences, and other press events ensuring all participants are trained and prepared to deliver CLF’s core messages. Must frequently work within coalitions and ensure CLF’s position and spokespeople receive visibility.
- Keeps abreast of current and emerging advances in digital communications including areas of information dissemination, social media platforms, and multimedia.
- Closely monitors environmental news and events to identify and develop media outreach plans.
- Prepares media analysis and reports for executive staff and board of directors.
- Some travel in New England required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field required
- Minimum of 5 to 10 years experience leading advocacy, campaign, or campaign media relations in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of AP style guidelines
- Proficiency in video and photo editing software a plus
- Knowledge of environmental issues including energy, climate change, and clean water preferred
Salary and Benefits
CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected.
To Apply
Send your resume titled “your last name-first initial-resume” (e.g., “SMITH J RESUME”) and a detailed cover letter titled “your last name-first initial-cover” (e.g., “SMITH J COVER”) to careers@clf.org. Please make “Press Secretary” the subject of your e-mail. The position will remain open until filled. Absolutely no phone calls or in-person visits please.
5.) Government Relations Internship, The Wilderness Society, Washington, DC
https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/job/35698534/government-relations-internship/
6.) Communcations Manager, Four Corners, The Wilderness Society, Denver, CO
https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit2/?id=11275701&t=1
8.) Trail Guide, Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, MN
http://intranet.wildernessinquiry.org/jobinator/jobdesc_detail.php?j=1
9.) Adventure Forest, Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN
http://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com/employment
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2014 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
7813 Richfield Road
Springfield, VA 22153
Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
www.nedsjotw.com
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