“Focus on Sustainability: Recycling, Conserving, Reducing and Rethinking” is the theme of the forum, which will train “Nor-Cal Generation Y” students in leadership skills, activism and community involvement. It will take place Saturday, February 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room at University Center.
Hosted annually by rotating campuses across the state, the conference is financed by national TRiO programs that provide support services to young people who are prospective college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. TRiO comprises Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services. Humboldt County youngsters and their counterparts in TRiO programs across northern California will share knowledge about sustainability objectives, college and career paths and strategies for reaching them.
“The goal of this conference is to impress our youth, to make them aware of how to think critically about our footprints in society and find solutions to foster greater environmental care,” said Jen Dyke, HSU’s TRiO Upward Bound director. “This is the first time in the history of TRiO and of our University that we are hosting this conference, and we will convey Humboldt State’s exceptional role in new thinking, cutting edge research, conservation and husbanding natural resources.”
Through a dedicated Sustainability Web site, Humboldt State offers young people an array of educational and green opportunities, not only with curriculum but also with a host of tips for “green living.” Sustainability spans the University’s academic spectrum, from majors in environmental resources engineering and natural resource planning to related courses in English, Theatre Arts, Economics, Psychology, Sociology and many other fields. Classes include Environmental Politics, Environmental Psychology, Environment and Culture, Nature Writing, Sustainable Rural Economic Development, Whole Earth Engineering, an energy efficiency internship course and a class in Deep Ecology and Sustainable Living.
The Sustainability Web site includes a guide to redwood area green organizations that offer internships and volunteer opportunities, and a Green Daily Planner for individual living.
Information about Educational Talent Search is available at 707/826-4791 and www.humboldt.edu/~hsuets. For details about Upward Bound, dial 707/826-3558.