February 2005 Volume III, Number 2

Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, News Finder Extraordinary &
Jane Leonard, MRP President & Editor
IN THIS ISSUE:

- Across The Field
- Policy & Programs
- Funding
- Meetings & Conferences
- Tools & Miscellaneous

ACROSS THE FIELD - by Jane Leonard

We open our newsletter with congratulations to New York Mills, Minnesota, which was selected recently as a "CAPITAL COMMUNITY" by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Many small communities in rural America are using unique approaches and innovative ideas to remain competitive in a constantly changing environment. For the second year, the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines is recognizing the accomplishments of thriving rural communities with its Capital Community award. With the help of a statewide planning committee, the Bank chose New York Mills as its 2005 Minnesota Capital Community.

"There are many communities doing wonderful things throughout the state of Minnesota and New York Mills is one of them," commented Curt Heidt, Vice President, Community Investment, FHLB. "New York Mills was selected as one of our Capital Communities based on leadership, economic development, youth involvement, industrial recruitment and much more."

New York Mills representatives will showcase their community at the FHLB's "Capitalizing on Rural America: A Policy Forum" in Washington, DC in April." Each Capital Community will be honored during an awards ceremony there and receive a $15,000 check from the Bank. A portion of the check ($10,000) can be used any way the community chooses while the remaining $5,000 is allocated for an internship.

This happy news helps balance the more difficult road ahead for rural places and people - for Americans anywhere -- as we take in the sting of the proposed 2006 Federal Budget laid out by the President this month and hear unrelenting news of cutbacks proposed at state levels, too. We counsel friends and colleagues to try and stick to the values and principles of a Good Neighbor Society. Don't fight over the crumbs. Instead, help each other think thru and act on what it will take to work together to fund and build the kind of society we want to live in and leave for our children. Building - not tearing down -- takes a combination of innovative thinking and working at the local level, such as that exemplified by the citizens of New York Mills - home of the Great American Think-Off. It requires wholehearted effort statewide and nationwide to invest in human development and physical infrastructure so that America remains a land of opportunity for all. How quickly we can become a wasteland - no initiative, no opportunity, no hope.

Harry Truman said it best after a long siege of war that ended 60 years ago: "The war has shown us that we have tremendous resources to make all the materials for war. It has shown us that we have skilled workers and managers and able generals, and a brave people capable of bearing arms.

"The new thing - the thing we had not known - the thing we have learned now and never should forget, is this: that a society of self-governing men is more powerful, more enduring, more creative than any other kind of society, however disciplined, however centralized. We know now that the basic proposition of the worth and dignity of man….is the strongest, most creative force now present in the world."

It is time to respect ourselves and support budgets that invest in the American people and their creative force. We cannot afford to squander the years of investment laid by our predecessors, of all political stripes. Truman said during a time of great fear and insecurity that "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." May we be so bold and courageous to do the job now in our hands.

POLICY

-- MEG - Minnesota's Entrepreneurial Gateway, is looking for partners. Check out our draft website at
http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/MEG/ -- which explains what we are trying to do. We are trying to change attitudes and priorities to have federal, state, and local economic development leadership recognize, cheerlead, and use the combined cost-saving power of technology and face-to-face interactions to jumpstart small business creation and growth. Nothing fancy --- nothing earth-shaking… just simple Minnesotan common sense and cooperative effort. Wisconsin funded their model at $5 million for the next five years…..any ideas for funding Minnesota's are most welcome.

--The Bush Administration's budget proposal includes a recommendation that 18 community development programs be consolidated under a unified grant-making entity administered by the Commerce Department entitled, "Strengthening America's Communities Initiative" Programs to be consolidated under the President's "Strengthening America's Communities" Initiative from various departments to the US Department of Commerce include:

Housing and Urban Development
CDBG Formula Grants
National Community Development Initiative
CDBG Set-Asides
Brownfields Economic Development Initiative
Rural Housing and Economic Development
Urban Empowerment Zones Round II Grants
Community Development Loan Guarantees

Commerce
Economic Development Administration

Agriculture
Rural Business Enterprise Grants
Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Economic Impact Grants
Rural Empowerment Zones (EZ)/Enterprise Communities (EC)

Treasury
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program
Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program
CDFI Native Initiatives

Health and Human Services
Community Services Block Grant
Urban and Rural Community and Economic Development
Rural Community Facilities

--The Washington Post reports on Bush Administration plans to "downsize" U.S. HUD. The President's FY 2006 budget proposal indicate that: the $4.7 billion CDBG program may be cut by as much as 50 percent; the CDBG, Empowerment Zone, Renewal Community and Brownfields programs would be sent to the Department of Commerce; the $24 million Rural Housing and Economic Development program would be eliminated; $260 million in economic development earmarks would be zeroed out; and Youthbuild would be transferred to the Labor Department. Overall, HUD could lose a quarter of its $31 billion current-year budget. To read the article, go to
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7862-2005Jan13.html

--President Bush's proposed fiscal 2006 budget includes ratings of hundreds of federal programs using the Office of Management and Budget's Program Assessment Rating Tool. For almost 50 of the programs, the administration recommended eliminating funding next year even some that have performed well. A list of the programs can be found at: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0205/020705chart.htm

FUNDING

--The Blandin Foundation's Broadband Initiative has announced application deadlines for the Get Broadband! Community Grant program for 2005. Three rounds are scheduled for 2005, with applications due on February 25, May 20 and August 19. To learn more about the Blandin Broadband Initiative, visit their website at http://www.blandinfoundation.org/html/public_broadband.cfm

--Brownfield sites eligible for grant program. Many cities have brownfield sites with vacant, abandoned or underutilized areas where reuse is hindered by known or suspected environmental contamination. Grants are available to assist local units of government, community organizations, non-profit organizations and other eligible entities with Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments of brownfield sites. The goal of the Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) program is to assist eligible entities with evaluation of brownfield sites that have potential for beneficial reuse or redevelopment, including green space uses. For more information, contact Cathy O'Dell, MPCA: 651-282-2381 or toll free at 1-800-657-3864 or e-mail catherine.odell@pca.state.mn.us.

--CAP announces its summer grant program. The Community Assistantship Program (CAP) has announced its summer grant program, which will allow rural communities to secure the services of a University of Minnesota student to work on a project defined by those communities. Winning communities will write a job position description, review applications and select the student who best meets their needs.
For details on the program and applications procedures, see http://www.cura.umn.edu/programs/CAP/cap.html Eligible organizations include community groups, organizations and local governments in Greater Minnesota - plus outer suburbs in the Twin Cities. Many different types of projects can be funded, but current priority is given to projects related to renewal energy, children and families, and community arts. Proposals are due March 1st.

--Libraries for the Future has announced The MetLife Foundation Reading America Program, designed to use literature, film, and the neutral ground of the public library to stimulate discussion that positively affects the relationship between the generations, especially those of new immigrant families. Fifteen libraries nationwide will be selected to each receive a cash grant of $5,000. Applicant libraries must work with one or more community organizations as partners. The application deadline is March 4. For more information, visit http://www.lff.org/news/RA05_rfp.html.

--Private Lands Conservation Funding: The Fish & Wildlife Service announced that its regional offices are accepting proposals for private lands conservation funding through its Private Stewardship Grants Program. About $6.5 million is available in FY 2005 to support on-the-ground conservation efforts on private lands. This program provides federal grants on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that benefit imperiled species, including federally listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed, candidate and other at-risk species. Landowners and their partners may submit proposals directly to the service for funding to support those efforts. The deadline is March 21. See this web site for the full announcement:
http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/private_stewardship/index.html

--Energy Loans for Public Entities. The State Energy Office is seeking applicants for its Energy Investment Loan Program. Public schools, cities and counties use this money -- $1.5 million maximum -- to finance energy-saving capital improvements that have a simple payback of 10 years or less. Typically expenditures are for:
* Conversions to alternative fuels.
* Lighting modifications.
* Roof insulation.
* Energy management systems.
* HVAC modifications.
The application process is simple -- no deadlines, approval usually within 30 days -- and applicants do not compete for funds. For more information contact Amy Bicek at 651/296-2429 or amy.bicek@state.mn.us

--The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation is offering grants to nonprofit housing organizations of up to $10,000 to increase low-income homeownership. Application deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. For more information, visit http://www.wellsfargo.com/about/wfhf/guidelines.jhtml.

--Two Small Business Resource Fairs will be hosted by Congressman Collin C. Peterson in cooperation with the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and the Minnesota State Community and Technical College. During the day, attendees will hear from successful entrepreneurs and business advisors who have years of experience providing technical and financial assistance. The first workshop will be held at the Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls on February 18, 2005. The second will be held at the Shooting Star Casino's Conference Center in Mahnomen on March 4th. Information can be obtained on the Congressman's website at http://collinpeterson.house.gov/ or by calling his Detroit Lakes District Office at 218-847-5056.

--Downtown Planning, Design & Implementation Workshops will be held February 23rd from 8:30am - 4:00pm in Staples. Sponsored by the Initiative Foundation, Hometown MN, and Central Lakes College. A morning workshop "Creating Design Goals for Main Street" on planning and design and an afternoon workshop "Tools for Implementing Your Community's Design Goals" on design standards and tools for implementation will be held. $75 per community team (up to 4) for each session. Contact Dan Frank at dfrank@ifound.org or 320/632-9255 ext. 2056 for further information.

--An Introduction to Raising More Money: Sustainable Funding for Your Mission will be held Wednesday, February 23 from 10:00 am -12:00 Noon at the Willmar Public Library. There is no fee to attend. It will include an overview of the Raising More Money Model®, how to leave a legacy of mission-centered individual giving, how to identify and introduce ideal donors to your organization on an ongoing basis, and how to personally cultivate people to become lifelong donors.
Staff of nonprofit and community organizations, board members, volunteers and business associates are encouraged to attend. Registration is required. To register: Go to http://form.raisingmoremoney.com/calendar/midwest.asp scroll down to this session, and click RSVP. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Case at 206-709-9400 ext. 136 or elizabeth.case@raisingmoremoney.com.

--Tomorrow's Energy in Communities Today will be February 28, 9:00am - 4:30pm in St. Cloud. Sponsored by The Minnesota Project and Clean Energy Resource Teams, interested citizens, community leaders, and technical experts will gather to share and learn about community based renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across Minnesota. Attendees will have a chance to connect with the resources they need to advance clean energy in their communities and regions. $25. For details and registration see http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/or call Margaret Broeren at
651/645-6159, ext. 6.

--Tourism Outreach Meetings: Explore Minnesota Tourism will be holding a
series of Tourism Growth Outreach Meetings throughout Minnesota to
identify key issues and strategies important for the future health of
our industry in the next ten years. The Explore Minnesota Tourism
Council will use this information to help develop a long range tourism
plan for Minnesota. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend one
of these meetings. For further information contact colleen.tollefson@state.mn.us or phone 800-657-3637.

Wednesday, February 23, Lanesboro
Tuesday, March 22, Duluth
Wednesday, March 30, Detroit Lakes
Wednesday, April 6, Metro
Tuesday, April 12, Pipestone
Wednesday, May 4, Grand Rapids
Wednesday, May 18, Brainerd

--Future of Commercial Shoreland in Central and Northern MN March 2nd from 9:00am - 400pm in Brainerd. Presented by the Initiative Foundation; co-hosted by Explore Minnesota Tourism. Current and anticipated growth in Central MN (of up to 40% over the next 30 years) provides the region an opportunity to articulate what our vision of the future looks like; to influence the type and location of development we desire; to preserve the assets which make our communities so desirable; and to work together in new ways to create a model of what sustainable development looks like in a region that - despite increasing economic diversity - remains wedded to the tourism and recreation industries. Concerned stakeholders are invited. Speakers include land use planner Randall Arendt, MPCA Commissioner Sheryl Corrigan, and John Edman, the Director of Minnesota Tourism. $25 (includes lunch). For details and registration contact the Foundation at 320/632-9255.

--U and Your Economy Workshops will be held around the state by UM Extension Service on:

March 10 - Marshall
March 24 - Owatonna
March 31 - Grand Rapids
April 7- Crookston
April 14 - St. Cloud

U and Your Economy is a showcase of research and programming that engages community leaders and describes how Extension and the University can support decision-making about local economic development strategies. Folks around MN will hear from, and chat with, Tom Stinson our State Economist, on the impact of the baby-boomers and their affect on public revenues and taxes. Laura Kalambokidis will present sessions discussing Business Taxation in MN and Steve Taft will be discussing Land Use and Development. Both topics are very relevant to citizens who find themselves with many leadership hats in rural Minnesota. The afternoon session at all the workshops will focus on Retail Trade Analysis and Successful Strategies for Small Stores. For more information go to: http://www.extension.umn.edu/uandeconomy/

-- Interested in improving your service skills to manage attitude, identify and respond to customer needs, and understand how culture affects the service experience? Attend the half-day At Your Service workshop on March 15 for just $45. To register
or for more information, contact the University of Minnesota Tourism Center at 612-624-4947 or e-mail tourism@umn.edu

--Alliance for Minnesota Microenterprise (AMME) Spring Conference will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2005 from 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM at the Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul. Cost: $50 for AMME members and $75 for non-AMME members. For information go to: http://www.amme-mn.org/conference.htm

--Freeman Forum scheduled for March 23 & 24th. A series of four lectures on topics related to the digital future & knowledge economy, sciences and the new agriculture, and perspectives on changing times and democracy in the Arab world. Insights very much integrated and relevant to our challenges here in the Midwest region and the U.S. in general. Dr. Ismail Serageldin, former Vice President of the World Bank and now director of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt is the featured lecturer. Most lectures are free, held at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. See http://www.freemanforum.org for more information.

--West Central Plans 6th Annual Workforce Solutions Conference. Three keynote speakers will highlight the 6th Annual Workforce Solutions Conference sponsored by West Central Initiative Fund, April 14, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria. The conference title is "Productivity: Stretching Your Workforce Investment with Lean Technologies". "Policy Innovations for a Changing Rural Economy" will be the topic of Jack M. Geller, Ph.D. Al Podzunas will present "Preparing Your Team for the Global Challenge". Jennifer Bogdalek of Microsoft will speak on "Technology Solves Real Business Problems". For further information and registration contact West central Initiative at 1-800-735-2239 or online at http://www.wcif.org.

--Wondering what our small towns will be like 10, 20, or even 50 years from now? The Third Annual Symposium on Small Towns will be looking forward into the future of our small towns and rural areas. This two-day event is scheduled for June 7 and 8, 2005 and will be held at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Participants attending the Symposium will learn and discuss global trends, how rural communities are shaping them to meet future challenges, and to understand how our political framework and issues can be changed to better support small towns. Community projects will be showcased, participants will actively engage in visioning sessions, and small towns and rural living will be celebrated. In addition, performers from around the state will provide a celebratory evening of outstanding music, poetry, storytelling, and much more..

The Symposium is open to the public; individuals and teams are encouraged to attend the event to network with people and locate resources as you work to strengthen and shape the future of your small town. Fees are kept at a minimum to encourage participation. For more information and pre-registration go to the Center for Small Towns web page at www.centerforsmalltowns.org, click on the Symposium link, or call at 320-589-6451.

--2005 MINNESOTA RURAL SUMMIT - July 28-29, 2005, St. John's University, Collegeville. The theme for 2005 is "The Great Reconnect - Bridging Rural & Urban Resources for Community & Economic Success." We'll be showcasing efforts that bridge community and economic resources between rural and urban Minnesota, that bridge diverse cultures and shared heritage, and that bridge our spirit and will to strengthen and sustain our communities, our regions, and our state. Check out http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2005_summit/

TOOLS & MISCELLANEOUS

--Request for Proposals for 2005 Rural Health Conference for July 18-19 in Duluth, Minnesota. The planning committee is requesting proposals from individuals or groups for conference presentations. The conference, "Smart Health for Rural Communities," will focus on innovative approaches that maintain and improve the quality and availability of health care services in greater Minnesota. Proposals should address quality, technology, collaboration or economics as related to the "Smart Health" conference theme. Proposals are due by February 25 and information is online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/orhconf.html.
For more information contact maryann.radigan@health.state.mn.us or 651-282-6338.

--Initiative Foundation Seeks Nonprofits for VISTA Program to help reduce poverty in central Minnesota, the Initiative Foundation is seeking nonprofits interested in having a full-time VISTA volunteer on their staff for at least one year. In partnership with the AmeriCorps national service program, the foundation will place 12 Volunteers In Service to America (VISTAs) in charitable nonprofit organizations serving Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena or Wright Counties. Nonprofits are invited to submit VISTA project inquiries by February 28. For more information or a project inquiry application, contact Dan Foster, Initiative Foundation VISTA leader, at 1-877-632-9255 toll-free or dfoster@ifound.org.

--2005 Environmental Initiative Awards. Some of the most innovative environmental projects in Minnesota have been accomplished through collaborative processes, often involving a broad range of stakeholders from the business, nonprofit and government sectors. Minnesota Environmental Initiative established its awards program to recognize such projects and to encourage innovative approaches to collaborative environmental
problem-solving. MEI is now accepting online nominations through February 28th at http://www.mn-ei.org The 2005 Awards in the categories of Environmental Education, Energy, Land Use, Private Sector Innovation and Public Sector Innovation. Self-nominations are accepted.

--China's New Farm Subsidies In 2004, China entered a new era in its approach to agricultural policy, as it began to subsidize rather than tax agriculture. China introduced direct subsidies to farmers, began to phase out its centuries-old agricultural tax, subsidized seed and machinery purchases, and increased spending on rural infrastructure. The new policies reflect China's new view of agriculture as a sector needing a helping hand. The subsidies are targeted at grain producers, but they do not provide strong incentives to increase grain production. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/WRS0501

--AMBER WAVES, February 2005 presents the broad scope of ERS' research and analysis. This issue includes articles about Processed Food Trade Pressured by Evolving Global Supply Chains, The Price is Right: Economics and the Rise in Obesity, Farm Programs, Natural Amenities, and Rural Development, and the US-Canadian Hog Trade Market Integration at Work. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/February05/

--The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development that was recently released shows that Native Americans living on reservations with and
without gaming operations made considerable social and economic gains in
the past decade, with tribal self-determination contributing much to the
success. The study, "American Indians on Reservations: A Data book of
Socioeconomic Change Between the 1990 and 2000 Censuses," compares Census data from 1990 to 2000 and showed improvements in income per capita, and poverty and unemployment rates. The study also found housing overcrowding decreased during the decade, particularly in areas without gaming, and the percentage of Native people living in homes with plumbing increased in both gaming and nongaming areas. For more information go to:
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/hpaied/nev_main.htm

-- Education in Rural Communities. The Role of Education: Promoting the Economic and Social Vitality of Rural America. This 72-page full-color publication is the result of more than three years of research conducted in partnership by the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) and the Rural School and Community Trust. It offers insight into the important and often fragile relationship between rural schools and communities in America. The report comprises nine articles divided into three area-specific sections: (1) Education, Human Capital and the Local Economy, (2) Links between Rural Schools and Communities and (3) Creating Successful Rural Schools and Students. This report can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat at SRDC: http://srdc.msstate.edu/publications/ruraleducation.pdf

--Community Development - Main Street Economist. The latest issue of The Main Street Economist by the Center for the Study of Rural America is now available. Jason Henderson and Nancy Novack look back at the farm and nonfarm rural economy in 2004 and provide and outlook for 2005 in "An Economic Resurgence in the Rural Economy." The Main Street can be found on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's web site at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/RuralCenter/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

--The Main Street Economist by the Center for the Study of Rural America 2004 annual report edition, "Building Rural Prosperity in Regions: The Road Less Traveled" takes a look back at what the Center has learned over the past five years and provides a glimpse of where the Center's work will go in the future. This issue of the Main Street can be found on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's web site at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/RuralCenter/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

--Beige Book - Economic Research and Data Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve districts indicated that economic activity continued to expand from late November through early January. Eleven districts characterized activity as expanding with Atlanta, New York, and Richmond noting that the pace of activity had quickened since their last reports. The Cleveland District was less upbeat, characterizing economic activity in that district as mixed. The full National and Tenth District report can be viewed at http://www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2005/20050119/Default.htm

--Community Loan Technologies announces a new name. As of January 2005 Community Loan Technologies has become Nonprofit Assistance Fund the name was changed to better communicate the resources and services offered to nonprofits through their loan fund and financial management programs. The mission is unchanged: "To foster community development and vitality by building financially healthy nonprofit organizations." Programs of the organization include Minnesota Primary Care Loan fund, Minnesota Nonprofits Assistance Fund (MNAF), and Working Capital Fund. Organizations are encouraged to update your records and mailing lists to reflect the new name and contact information. Their web site is http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org
- address and phone numbers are the same.

--A New "Tourism Works for Minnesota" is now available. Tourism Works for
Minnesota is an informational brochure produced by Explore Minnesota
Tourism that showcases tourism's economic impact. Examples of the
information:
-Tourism's economic impact is $9.2 billion per year in gross receipts/sales
-Scenic touring is the favorite activity for travelers in Minnesota; visiting family & friends is also a major reason for travel to Minnesota. Fishing and camping are other major reasons why travelers choose Minnesota.

--Day trips (more than 50 miles one-way) in Minnesota were up 7 percent
in 2003. They now account for over one-fourth of all travel in the state.
This information is updated yearly. Tourism Works is an important educational tool to use when speaking with county commissioners, legislators, and others who may not realize the impact that tourism has on a community's bottom line. To receive copies, e-mail cindy.schneider@state.mn.us or call 800-657-3637 or 651-297-2333.

--A new publication from the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) provides the latest information on transportation in rural America. The effects of deregulation, devolution of Federal transportation responsibilities to the States, increased Federal funding, and heightened security concerns are discussed in the context of each of the individual modes of transportation. Go to http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/AIB795/ to download the report.

--The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released the Winter 2004/2005 edition of Community Development Investments http://www.occ.treas.gov/cdd/eZine/winter04/index.html that provides a guide for creating and operating bank subsidiary community development corporations (CDCs). It includes case studies of strategies used by small and large banks to promote economic development through subsidiary CDCs as well as a discussion of how CDCs are considered under the Community Reinvestment Act.

--MINNESOTA: A HISTORY OF THE LAND will be aired on February 21 & 22, 2005 (Mon. & Tues.), 8:00 - 10:00 pm, on public TV. An epic four-part documentary that brings to life the landscapes of Minnesota's past and the people who changed them. Showing on Twin Cities Public Television (TPT2). "Free." Teacher's guides available soon. For details see http://www.historyoftheland.org
Jobs and Internships.

--The US Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Forest Service will sponsor 60-80 paid summer internships nationally with a primary focus on recruiting and exposing freshman and sophomore Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Native American students to the conservation field. The Conservation Careers Diversity Intern Program offers: a $4,800 stipend ($400/week for 12 weeks); $1,000 housing allowance or free housing; and $300 minimum to help with relocation expenses. Students who are currently majoring in or have an interest in the following or other related academic fields are urged to apply: Biology, Botany, GIS, Ecology, Plant Science, Cartography, Wildlife Science, Hydrology, Forestry, Fishery Science, Geology, Soil Science, Natural Resources, Chemistry, Parks and Recreation, Range Conservation, Physical Science, Environmental Education. For more information, see http://www.eco.org/conservation or contact Josephine Xiong at 617-426-4783 x.142 or jxiong@eco.org.

Archive Issues:

January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
Mid-March 2004
March 2004
March 2004 Press Release
June 2003
Mar 2003
June 2002