COOLER in May 2024

Author

COOLER UNCO
May 25, 2024

What makes you think of climate change?

What do you notice that makes you think of climate change, or that reminds you that we live in a rapidly changing world? Or perhaps you have some ideas about how to build climate resilience - maybe it’s as simple as an easy way to stay cool on a hot day?

We would love to see your photos or hear your ideas! Enter your favorite photos in our ongoing COOLER photo contest! Submit your entry by June 20th by tagging us on Instagram (@unco.cooler) or Facebook (Cooler at UNCO) or email to [email protected]. Include your name and a caption for your photo. We will feature winning entries in our upcoming newsletters!

Please keep us updated on your own challenges and successes to build resilience to climate change. We would love to help you out, and even feature your stories here in the newsletter! Email us at [email protected].

Dandelions have long been the scourge of American homeowners. But despite being a non-native species in North America, they play an important role in the suburban ecosystem. Their deep roots act to aerate soil and bring important nutrients to the surface to help feed other plants. They are also an important early-spring food source for honeybees. To better help out other early pollinators, consider replacing lawn with clover or other native plants. There are a few online resources at the end of this newsletter to help you out!

Spotlight: The COOLER Student Team!

A bit about our student team…

As the University of Northern Colorado’s academic year comes to a close, we bid farewell to our graduating COOLER Student Team! Over the next couple of months, we’d like to introduce you to the students who have supported us over the past year and share their aspirations for making the world a better (cooler) place. This month:

Meet Environmental Science major, Jenna Aragon!

Role in COOLER: Climate Communications

Jenna Aragon is a recently graduated Environmental Science major at the University of Northern Colorado. She became interested in Environmental Science in high school when she began to pay closer attention to seasonal weather and noticed that precipitation patterns were changing. Her interest was also peaked by videos of climate change impacts in the Arctic, such as melting glaciers and starving polar bears.

Jenna’s primary role in her work with COOLER was to create a climate change brochure and a climate assessment report using local climate data. She says that the work gave her an opportunity to learn more about local climate change and strengthen her skills as a student. In the future, she hopes to continue learning about climate change and ultimately work in the field of environmental protection.

What helps her be more positive about the future? “When I scroll on social media or look at the news and see all the social and environmental initiatives that are being implemented, it gives me hope about the future. I also think Gen Z is more sustainable and eco-conscious, which helps promote positive change. Their social activism and engagement regarding climate change is inspiring and influencing.”

Activities

Upcoming opportunity for professional development and building local climate change resilience

Join our Climate Leadership Institute this Fall! More information coming soon!

There are lots of things brewing at COOLER! Starting in September, we will launch the COOLER Climate Leadership Institute (COOLER-CLI(mates)), a year long professional development program with two UNC cohorts: one for students and one for faculty. Each cohort will spend a year learning about climate, how it impacts their field of study, and how we can build local climate change resilience. There will be stipends for participation.

There will also be opportunities for local community groups to be involved, particularly those interested in working with students on projects to build climate change resilience.

We plan to have more information and a link to an application posted soon on our (new!) webpage! Stay tuned!

Be Sure to Join Our Ask Me Anything Social Media Events!

In our Ask Me Anything (AMA) events each month, Kennedy Dechant, COOLER student Community Manager and student environmental leader at UNC, hosts guests who share their experience working in science and/or climate change resilience. Audience members are invited to ask questions. We welcome and encourage questions that are provided in advance of the event, and these can be posted on our social media.

Our most recent session featured COOLER Team member: Dr. Chelsie Romulo, who spoke about how we can better manage local ecology in the midst of a changing climate.

Our Next Event:

Indigenous Representation within Land Decisions During Climate Change, with Katara Burrola from Voices of the Land: June 20, 2024 from 1:30-2:00pm MDT.

Events are broadcasted live via our Facebook page, then posted on our YouTube Channel .

We’d love to visit you and share our work!

Whether you're looking for a full-length presentation or a short talk, we are here to share insights and engage with your group on the critical topic of climate change. Email us at [email protected]!

Helpful Resources:

In our most recent Ask-Me-Anything Facebook event, Dr. Romulo shared some resources that might be helpful for anyone hoping to take some simple steps to promote ecological diversity in their yard or neighborhood. For more information on Colorado native plants, check out the Colorado Native Plant Society.

Greeley residents may benefit from the Life After Lawn Program, which provides financial support for converting bluegrass lawn to drought tolerant landscaping. COOLER Leaders Sharon and Chelsie have both participated in the program and have native grasses (blue grama and buffalo grass) and native plants. Right now rocky mountain penstemon and blue flax are flowering in abundance! You also might want to learn more about the City of Greeley Water Budgets.

About Us

Meet the COOLER Team:

COOLER Faculty at UNCO: Cindy Shellito (Climate Science), Sharon Bywater-Reyes (Environmental Science), Chelsie Romulo (Sustainability)

COOLER Community Activator: Arika Virapongse (Middle Path EcoSolutions)

COOLER Evaluation Consultant: Rupu Gupta (Rupu Gupta Consulting)

COOLER Student Team: Kennedy Dechant (Community Manager), Sydnee Klug (Events Coordinator and Graphic Designer), Jenna Aragon (Climate Communications), Anna Dispirito (incoming Community Manager)