Green Jobs: Green Internships for Diverse Students

I am happy to say that I am the proud mama of a future National Park Service intern! Yay! Funny how things work out. I have been the unofficial recruiter of highly qualified and diverse college students for the lovely, lush and green, park system in our area for several years. Obviously my son has been listening (imagine that) to me spreading the gospel of these great green job opportunities and told me while still in his first quarter at DePaul, that he really wanted to interview for the next round of summer internships at the National Park Service. I was pleasantly surprised! So I put him in contact with the hiring department, he sent his resume, interviewed, completed an application and even did some volunteer work this winter break for the park. After further discussions with the hiring ranger, he was recently informed that he will be hired this summer as an intern. This is so exciting! (Apparently, contacting your local park ranger or hiring office is the recommended way to explore internship opportunities). So of course being the curious mother that I am about all things relating to my beloved child, I did some research on 2012 summer internships at the National Park Service and discovered the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship. It is a program which provides paid opportunities for talented and highly qualified students from diverse backgrounds that are between the ages of 18-25, to explore cultural resources and historic preservation work. The park service recognizes that as our country's diverse population grows, there is a need to nurture in these populations, a love and appreciation for our natural and cultural resources. There will need to be an ample supply of talent and donor dollars to maintain our countries green jewels. Interns will be assigned to a park system in their region, work for 10 weeks and be flown to Washington, D.C. for a three day career workshop during the last week of the internship. Sounds great! Where do I sign up? Oh, I'm slightly over 25 years old. Click here if you want more details on the green internship, deadline to apply is March 2, 2012.

The Nature Conservancy: Engaging Urban Youth

Highlighting Employees in the Community-Brigitte Griswold The Nature Conservancy I was conducting some research on The Nature Conservancy and came across this story as part of their dialogue on diversity. If any of you have attended any community "eco" meetings, you know that the green movement is light on shades of brown and black. It's good to know that some in the environmental community are paying attention to the need to be present in the lives of folks from all backgrounds and to have persons of color present and engaged in their organizations. After all, don't scientists and environmentalists often speak to the need for bio-diversity to maintain a healthy ecology. This same principle applies in human nature and organizations, especially as our nation and world become more ethnically diverse and move from developing nation status to booming economy status. These are the last people that you want to leave behind in the conversation around the importance of balancing economy with ecology. I will continue to read and learn more about The Nature Conservancy and other environmental organizations efforts at walking the talk. In the meantime, "Kudos" for the steps taken thus far.

Eco-Colonialism: A Fine Line

Conservation and environmentalism are often at odds with the economic and cultural needs of urban factory and refinery workers, farmers, loggers and indigenous people across the diaspora. Should one be more concerned about feeding their family today or the ability to feed their family 50 years from now? This is a very real issue. This conflict is in part responsible for the distrust and apprehension among these individuals about the "green" movement. While the goals of conservationists are well meaning and necessary, often efforts to reduce man's impact on the earth are done without sensitivity to the immediate needs of the local community. Often, entire communities are displaced and left without a means of survival, as highlighted in this article by John Vidal of the Guardian. I have read many other examples of this occuring in Africa, the U.S, Asia and South America. There are success stories of conservationists working with the local community to develop solutions that were mutually beneficial. More conservationists should follow this model. If done properly and with sensitivity, more citizens would be brought in to the fold of being environmentally responsible.The article also highlights the trend of wealthy individuals, private hedge funds, governments and a wealth of other entities purchasing vast areas of acreage in other countries. In many cases profit through the trading of carbon offsets is the primary motive for these purchases. It appears that carbon control is potentially the "new diamond" and the opportunity for eco-exploitation is wide open. We must keep our eyes open and be vigilant in ensuring that this form of colonialism never happens again.