Environmental Studies

Shift in Perspective: Observing Food Systems Jon Turner, Owner-Wild Roots Farm Vermont in Bristol, VT and President, Farmer Veteran Coalition of Vermont In this presentation, we will discuss the current food systems and their ecological impact as well as examine alternative methods that produce a more diverse yield and are influenced heavily on what needs can be met by the natural systems already in place. Topics for focus include agro-forestry practices, permaculture design and community interaction.

Shedding Light on the Working Forest: Curiosity, Connection, Creativity Kathleen Kolb, painter and Verandah Porche, poet Painter Kathleen Kolb and poet Verandah Porche will discuss the collaboration which culminated in the traveling exhibition currently at the Vermont Folklife Center. While we humans rely on the forest and those who harvest it, the service that it provides for us remains largely invisible and not widely understood.

Adequacy and Equity under Neoliberal Climate Governance: Assessing the Paris Moment Timmons Roberts, Ittleson Professor of Environmental Studies; Professor of Sociology Brown University, Institute at Brown for the Environment and Society Dr. Roberts will speak on the current paradigm of international climate change governance, including synthesis of important developments at the 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris, starting November 30. What are the prospects for the Paris climate change negotiations?

Drilling, Scanning, Poking and Prodding: Getting Under Antarctica’s Icy Skin Jill Mikucki, Assistant Professor of Biology, Middlebury College Antarctica’s subglacial environments are difficult to access because they are covered by thick (up to 4 kms) ice. Only recently, through the development of novel drilling technology, have we been able to get a glimpse of Antarctica’s deep, ice-covered biosphere. In this talk I will present highlights from these ‘first-ever’ sampling expeditions with a focus on the microbial life making a living in this cold, dark world.

ENVS 0401 Senior Seminar Presentations

ENVS 0401 Senior Seminar Presentations

Professor Robert Stolz, University of Virginia

This large-scale, site-specific installation celebrates the passage of knowledge, experience, and hope from one generation to another. By slowly crisscrossing colorful, oversized ribbons within an expansive environment, the performers alter the color, density, and time signature of space, creating a world in which each movement and architectural detail is illuminated. Developed by Tzveta Kassabova with the Dance Company of Middlebury and guest performers. Location: Outside Mead Memorial Chapel on Oct. 8th. Rain date is Oct.

Overburden is the story of a fiery, pro-coal right-winger and a tenacious, environmentalist grandmother as they take on the most dangerous coal company in America. These two lives intertwine as Betty and Lorelei unite to launch the first wind farm in coal country and to rebuild their fractured community.

Professor Kathy Morse (History) and Postdoc Alicia Peaker (DLA) will discuss the goals, process, successes and stumbles in having students build a series of collaborative, digital exhibits to mark 50 years of environmental studies at Middlebury. Fifty Years of Green, built using Omeka & Neatline, showcases the work of students in a Spring 2015 Environmental History course (HIST 222). During their talk, Kathy and Alicia will reflect on collaborative digital work; modifying an existing course with an experimental project; and student reactions to learning new software and skills.