News

All ERS and Man-Environment grads are invited to a Reunion Pub Night

Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the University Club

Join Department Chair, Professor Stephen Murphy and some of your other favourite ERS professors as we welcome back graduates from all years.

Enjoy a frosty beverage and complimentary hors d'oeuvres while catching up with old friends and hearing what’s new in the department.

Dress is (as you may have guessed) casual. As Steve says, "Birkenstocks optional".

ERSSA (ERS Student Association) is hosting the ERS Welcome Weekend (PDF) for all new UG students at Elora Gorge, Sept. 20-22, 2013. This weekend camping trip is a great way to meet your fellow first year students and upper year ERS students and professors.

Congratulations to Suzanne von der Porten who is a recipient of a 2013 University of Waterloo “Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies” honour. Five such honours were awarded this year at the Doctoral level and four at the Master’s level. Suzanne completed her PhD degree in Social and Ecological Sustainability in Winter 2013.

See the recent article regarding ERS Graduate Laura Zizzo, an environmental lawyer with Zizzo Allan Professional Corporation in Toronto.

Following the university-wide establishment of the Teaching Fellowship program to enhance the depth and effectiveness of student learning at the institution, Environment has launched the website Green TEA to offer professors, instructors and tutors information that can be used to enhance their teaching.

ERS’ Jennifer Clapp has been shortlisted for the Donner Prize – this is for excellence and innovation in public policy writing by Canadians. Jennifer is nominated for her book: Hunger in the Balance: The New Politics of International Food Aid by Jennifer Clapp

Dominique spent her work term at the Ontario Energy Board, where she was a key player in introducing new presentation software to the company. In addition to training permanent staff members on the software, she held a Lunch and Learn session and went on to design a presentation that senior managers used at a conference.

A huge congratulations to SERS’ Jennifer Clapp on the official announcement of her elevation to a Canada Research Chair! Jennifer has had a distinguished career in teaching, research and community outreach and this achievement represents yet another pinnacle – she’s too great for just one peak.

Organic Farming Workshop, March 1-2, 2013. Erb St Mennonite Church, 131 Erb Street West, Waterloo. $20 for both days - Bring your own lunch

Day 1 = Crop Planning

• Setting goals
• Site assessment and design,
• Cover crops, Crop profiles
• Putting it all together

Day 2 = Soil and Tools

• Soil & Crop Health
• Tools for the (mostly human-powered) market garden
• Soil blocking

ERS is delighted to announce that Professor Mary Louise McAllister has been appointed as Environment’s Teaching Fellow, to promote, enhance and support teaching excellence and innovation in the Faculty. A first rate teacher and mentor herself, we are pleased that Mary Louise has accepted this very important position.