Book Launch: "Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability"

The third volume of "Social Work Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability," a co-edited workbook series by Drs. Michaela Rinkel and Meredith Powers (UNCG Dept. of Social Work faculty and Sustainability Faculty Fellow), launched this week on Human Rights Day 2019! 

This excellent resource offers 17 chapters from social workers around the world demonstrating the many ways social workers are working for expanded, holistic rights for all, as we promote community and environmental sustainability! We hope you will join us in using this resource and sharing it with others.  Click here to download the book for free  

From the news release of the International Federation of Social Workers:

IFSW is thrilled, once again, to create a platform that highlights the important and inspiring work of social workers around the world who are taking up the Global Agenda as they promoting community and environmental sustainability. This is the third volume in the co-edited workbook series by Drs. Michaela Rinkel and Meredith Powers, and it features chapter contributions of 31 social workers from around the world. We have chosen to launch this book on Human Rights Day, 2019, as we recognize that we cannot have human rights without ecological rights.

Rinkel and Powers note: “Some understand human rights from a narrower, human-centered view as they focus on people’s rights to a safe, clean, and healthy environment to further the livelihoods, health, and well-being of our own species. We instead promote embracing of holistic rights with a broader understanding of ecological rights, within an ecosocial worldview (which acknowledges that humans are NOT the ‘top of the nature pyramid’, rather humans are nature; we are a part of a large and complex Web of Life). From this ecosocial worldview, ecological rights means establishing and ensuring the rights of all sentient and non-sentient beings, and the entire ecosystem; this is not merely for the benefit of humans, but in and of their own right to thrive and to maintain well-being. Focusing on ecological rights utilizes the type of long-term, systems thinking that a human-centric rights perspective has, at times, ignored. ” (from the Preface of Volume 3 by Rinkel and Powers, 2019)

Click here to download the book for free

Fall Nature Programs at the Kathleen Clay Library

1420 Price Park Rd, 336-373-2923

Wednesday, Sept. 4 - Home Place Habitat:  Restoring the Family with Native Plants - Marie Poteat describes her ongoing project to return her family's 59 acre property along the Deep River in Jamestown to a more natural habitat using native plants. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Monday, Sept 9 – Fall is for Gardening - Fall is the perfect time for planting and transplanting, as well as for starting fall containers. The Master Gardeners will teach simple chores like winterizing your tools and other fall tasks to prepare for this gardening season. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Thursday, Sept 12  – Coffee and Conversations: Fishing Stories - Discover the best places to fish in the area, techniques, tips and lures. Share your favorite fishing stories over coffee and snacks and check out our newest books about fishing. 10 – 11 am

Thursday, Sept 12 – Celebrating Snakes –Dr. Ann Berry Somers, UNCG Biology Dept, will share some techniques she has developed to champion one of the most hated wildlife groups in the world and to help people overcome fear of these most interesting creatures! Dr. Somers will show how understanding snake behavior and empathizing with them opens a new world for wildlife observation. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Audubon Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Friday, Sept 20 - Green Reads: Braiding Sweetgrass –  Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained as a scientist, as a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. Discover the blending of these two ways of learning about the gifts and lessons of other living beings.  Pick up a copy at the branch prior to the program.  12 – 1 pm

Sunday, Sept 22 – ecoExplore – Join the staff from the Asheville Arboretum for a parent workshop to teach your children (grades K-8^th) how to engage in this citizen science program. ecoEXPLORE uses photography to expose kids to the natural world.  Bring a camera to learn techniques. To register, e-mail melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov .  3 – 4:30 pm

Monday, Sept 23 – Flowing Perennials for the Piedmont - Fall is for planting flowering perennials with the warm soil and cool temps. Master Gardeners will share information about  the wide variety of blooming plants that will create a beautiful and diverse landscape. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Tuesday, Sept 24 – Mapping the History of South Africa - Come learn about South Africa. Using Born a Crime as a guide, we will use historical maps and timelines to better relate to stories in the book. 7 – 8 pm

Wednesday, Sept 25 - Zero Waste Living: Bulk Buying - Join us for a discussion of bulk shopping and naked vegetables with Laine Roberts, Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator. Enjoy some waste free snacks. Registration limited, call 336-373-2923 to register. 7 – 8:30 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 2 - What is Your Gardening Why?  Steve Windham, well known local landscape designer and nature lover, discusses the inspirations for his landscape designs, using native plantings, and natural settings for friends, family and wildlife to enjoy. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Monday, Oct 7 – Your Late Season Veggie Garden -Think this is the “Off Season”? Not so fast - there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the vegetable garden in late fall and even over the winter! Master Gardeners will discuss why it’s the perfect time to begin the planning and preparation that will sow the seeds of success for next year’s vegetables. To register, call 336-641-2400.  6:30 – 7:30 pm

Wednesday, Oct 9 - Zero Waste Living: Zero Waste Downsizing –Over half of all food waste takes place in the home in most developed countries. Join Laine Roberts, Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator, for tips, tricks, and trades on how to change this statistic in your home. Enjoy some waste-free snacks.  Registration limited, call 336-373-2923 to register. 7- 8:30 pm

Thursday, Oct 10 – Guilford County Parks: Past, Present and Future - Christopher Horrigan, Parks Division Director, will provide a brief overview of the history of Guilford County Parks before discussing their current day value to residents, and existing and future Parks Division priorities. This program is sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Friday, Oct 11 – Green Reads: A Cafecito Story – This eco-fable shares the author’s experience of reclaiming a coffee farm in her Native Dominican Republic. Learn how the traditional methods of shade grown coffee can rehabilitate and rejuvenate the landscape and protected threatened songbirds.  Pick up a copy at the branch prior to the program. 12 -1 pm

Sunday, Oct 13 - Introduction to Bird Watching for Beginners - This workshop is an introduction to birds and birding, beginning with a 45 minute class, followed by bird identification practice around the library. This will be a joint activity with the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and the Piedmont Bird Club. Older children accompanied by adults are welcome to attend. Bring your binoculars. 2:30 – 4 pm

Tuesday, Oct 15 - Nature Poetry and Photography Stroll - Discover nature poetry and photography through a poetry trail in Price Park. Enjoy some trail snacks. The stroll is available rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Older children welcome with adult supervision. 6 -7 pm

Friday, Oct 18 - Leopold Education Project –  Educators and youth leaders discover this interdisciplinary conservation ethics curriculum targeted for educators of youth 6 - 12th grades. Learn how to help young people create a personal land ethic and “read the landscape.” We will also learn to use the outdoors to teach lessons from the environmental classic, A Sand County Almanac. Earn CEUs and credit towards the NC Environmental Education Certification. To register, e-mail melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov
9 - 3:30 pm

Monday, Oct 21 – Flowering Trees and Shrubs - So many wonderful flowering trees and shrubs are successful in the Piedmont. Discover from the Master Gardeners which plants flourish in our local growing conditions. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Thursday, Oct 24^th, 10 – 11 am - Coffee and Conversations: Pickleball – Pam Hodgin, Pickeball Ambassador through the USA Pickleball Association, will share about the sport and  how it differs from tennis and why it’s a great sport for all ages. Enjoy some coffee and snacks and see a short demonstration of the sport.  10 – 11 am

Friday, Nov 1 - Forest Bathing Stroll - Discover the new trend of forest bathing which means
“taking in the forest atmosphere” with a stroll and light journaling in Price Park.  Dress for the weather and trail walking and enjoy some trail snacks. 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Sunday, Nov 3 -  Introduction to Butterflies for Beginners
This workshop will be an introduction to butterflies, see butterfly specimens, followed by butterfly identification practice around the library. Older children accompanied by adults are welcome to attend. Bring your binoculars and a camera or smart phone. 2:30 – 4 pm

Monday, Nov 4 – Composting and Vermicomposting - Composting is a great way to recycle, and also produce an excellent organic amendment to your soil. Learn from the Master Gardeners how to compost in your own backyard and what should or shouldn't be composted. To register, call 336-641-2400. 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Tuesday, Nov 5 – Adventures in Travel: The Wildlife of Africa – John Kinsella, retired from the Animal Plant Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will share about the amazing biodiversity of Africa. 2 – 3 pm

Wednesday, Nov. 6  Yellow Composites - In North Carolina, one in eight species of wild flowering plants is a member of the aster, daisy, or sunflower family—the Compositae or Asteraceae.  Learn a bit about where this family might have come from, the biology of the flower heads, how to tell whether or not a plant is a “comp,” and recognize some of the major groups within the family. This program is sponsored by the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Thursday, Nov 14 – Carnivorous Plants of the Carolinas – Mark Rose, a member of the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society, will discuss the cultivation of native carnivorous plants as well as a few of the natural hybrids, and some of the man-made hybrids. 7 – 8:30 pm

Friday, Nov 15 – Green Reads: Reader’s Choice  – Come with a favorite nature book to share or choose a book from the recommended reads from the Green Reads book club to discuss. A selection of environmental/nature books will be available to choose from at the branch prior to the program. 12 -1 pm

Sunday, Nov 17- Zero Waste Living: Waste-Free Holidays – Enjoy some waste-free snacks. Join us for a discussion with Laine Roberts, Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator, for ways to make your holidays zero waste. Registration limited, call 336-373-2923 to register. 3 – 4:30 pm

Thursday, Nov 21 – More Mocking from Mockingbirds - Dr. David Gammon, biology professor at Elon University, will share his cutting edge research in vocal mimicry. His professional interests focus on vocal mimicry in mockingbirds and science outreach with the broader public. This program is sponsored by the Piedmont Bird Club. 7 – 8:30 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 4 - Holiday Seed and Nature Photo Sharing - Bring native plant seeds to share for winter sowing planting. Enjoy photos by members of the Triad Chapter of the Native Plant Society. 7 – 8:30 pm

Thursday, Dec 12 – Outdoor Photography – Enjoy a presentation by the members of the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society while they share their favorite nature photos. 7 – 8:30 pm

Call for Proposals: ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee

ONLINE PROGRAM PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM

The PDC welcomes proposals for online programs that further ACRL members’ professional development, knowledge, and practice. Proposals should be grounded in theory and/or practice. We encourage the use of panels and multiple presenter models to convey a variety of viewpoints. Proposals for programs led by an individual presenter are also accepted. Programs usually run one hour, including time for questions, and are offered via Zoom.


All proposals will be considered, however, we are particularly interested in programs addressing the following topics in 2019-2020:

• Evolving Models for Public Services and Learning Spaces
• Critical Librarianship, Diversity and Inclusion, and Social Justice in Academic Libraries
• Scholarly Communications
• Data Management and Visualization
• Changing Roles of Liaison Librarians and Functional Experts
• Digital Scholarship
• Assessment and Learning Analytics
• Identifying and Developing Future Leaders

Complete the following form to submit an online program proposal. To receive full consideration for the 2019-2020 programming year, submissions should be received by Wednesday, September 18th, 2019.

Join the Green Library Group!

NC Clean Energy Plan Greensboro Listening Session - May 17th 1pm-3:30pm, NC A&T State University

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 80, which calls for the development of a state-wide clean energy plan.  The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Center for Energy Research and Technology (CERT) are hosting a Listening Session on May 17th at NC A&T State University in the Academic Classroom Building from 1:00 - 3:30 pm (Flyer Attached).  Public engagement is encouraged, so please attend and provide your input on a clean energy plan for North Carolina.

An event flyer is attached.  It also lists the dates and locations for other Listening Sessions throughout the state.  

NC Clean Energy Plan Information 

Ashby Dialogue Speaker Sunaura Taylor - April 11, 4pm-5:30pm in School of Education Building Room114

Sunaura Taylor, an artist and writer, will speak on April 11 at 4:00-5:30p.m. in School of Education Building, Room #114, as part of Ashby Dialogue entitled Crossroads: Animality, Disability, Activism and the Arts. Her talk will be based on her book, Beast of Burden: Animal and Disability Liberation (2017). According to the publisher, The New Press,  

Beasts of Burden suggests that issues of disability and animal justice—which have heretofore primarily been presented in opposition—are in fact deeply entangled. Fusing philosophy, memoir, science, and the radical truths these disciplines can bring—whether about factory farming, disability oppression, or our assumptions of human superiority over animals—Taylor draws attention to new worlds of experience and empathy that can open up important avenues of solidarity across species and ability. 

Sunaura Taylor is an artist and writer currently based in Tucson, AZ where she is conducting her dissertation research. She has written for AlterNet, American Quarterly, BOMB, the Monthly Review, Qui Parle, and Yes! Magazine and has contributed to the books Ecofeminism, Defiant Daughters Occupy!, Stay Solid, and Infinity City. Taylor and Judith Butler’s conversation is featured in the film Examine Life and the book of the same name, published by The New Press.

City of Greensboro Earth Day Festival - Saturday, April 6th, 1pm-5pm