Earth Day fell on Wednesday, April 22 this year, and the Corvallis–OSU community marked it with characteristic enthusiasm: a campus fair on the SEC Plaza, a public lecture on climate leadership, and a citywide nature survey underway in parks and greenways. Here’s a look at what happened, and what’s still going on through the end of the month.

Beyond Earth Day at OSU

Oregon State’s annual Beyond Earth Day celebration ran April 13–30, organized by Community Engagement & Leadership in Student Affairs. The two-week event brings together students, staff, and community members around themes of sustainability, climate justice, health and wellness, equitable economies, and community care, grounded in the idea that justice for people, animals, and the planet is deeply interconnected.

On Earth Day itself, the BED Community Fair filled the SEC Plaza from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with tables from on- and off-campus organizations including the Corvallis Environmental Center. The full Beyond Earth Day program continues through today; check the Beyond Earth Day page for what’s still happening.

CEOAS Earth Day Lecture: Bold Solutions, Better Planet

The College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences hosted its annual Earth Day lecture on the evening of April 22. This year’s speaker was Christine Ervin, a CEOAS Alumni Fellow with a career spanning national renewable energy policy and sustainable development leadership. In conversation with Dean Tuba Özkan-Haller, Ervin reflected on how today’s climate challenges are faster-moving, more interconnected, and higher-stakes than those of previous generations, and what bold, practical solutions look like at the policy and systems level. The lecture began at 5 PM, with a reception following at 6 PM. More on the CEOAS Earth Day series.

Planet Palooza in Corvallis

The weekend before Earth Day, Corvallis celebrated with Planet Palooza, held Saturday, April 18 at the Corvallis Community Center (1:00–4:30 PM). The annual event, co-organized with the Corvallis Environmental Center and the City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation, featured an Earth Day Eco Art Show showcasing work made from materials destined for the landfill. It also served as the kickoff for the City Nature Challenge, the four-day global bioblitz in which community members use iNaturalist to document local biodiversity. The City Nature Challenge runs internationally April 25–28, with identification help and tallying continuing through May 4.

SOLVE Oregon Spring Cleanup

Throughout April, SOLVE Oregon coordinated more than 200 volunteer cleanup and restoration projects across the state, with several in the Corvallis area. If you’re looking to squeeze in one more project before April closes, visit solveoregon.org to find events near you.

Earth Ball

On Friday, April 25, the Corvallis Environmental Center hosted the Earth Ball at Oddfellows Hall, a 21+ DJ dance party celebrating Earth Month. Because sometimes the right response to the state of the planet is dancing.

Spring Greetings, ESGP Community!

Welcome, New ESGP Students!
If this is your first ESGP newsletter, we’re so glad you’re here! A few quick starting points:

• Program info & handbook: ESGP Program Page, your go-to for requirements, tracks, forms, and more.
• Quick questions? See the FAQ section below, or email esgp@oregonstate.edu.
• Connect with peers: Join the ESGP Discord and the ESGP LinkedIn Group.
• Student office: Snell Hall 323 (get your key from Renee).
• Weekly Zoom: Fridays 1–2 PM PT, open to all.

Read on for events, funding, and resources to help you hit the ground running this term.

Spring term is underway, and April brings Earth Month. This issue is packed with award deadlines, seminars, upcoming events, and a few new opportunities. Please read on, and reach out if there’s anything we can do to support you.

Carolyn Fonyo, ESGP Director
Indy Leonard, Graduate Student Assistant

Improve Your Access to Our Community

• JOBS! Join the ESGP LinkedIn Group for job postings and professional connections.
• Join the ESGP Discord to connect with fellow students, share ideas, and attend community events.
• Meet with the ESGP Director in Heckart Lodge. Email carolyn.fonyo@oregonstate.edu to schedule (Tue/Thu afternoons).
• Use student office space in Snell 323 (get a key from Renee). Ideas and suggestions welcome at mohammae@oregonstate.edu.
• Attend the Weekly Friday Zoom: Fridays 1–2 PM PT. Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.
• Share your research, stories, and photos for the newsletter and outreach. Reach out to Carolyn or Indy.

Important Resources for Graduate Students

• Emergency & Wellness Resources: CAPS | Graduate Education Services | Disability Access Services
• Course Registration: For overrides on thesis, reading, project, or internship ENSC courses, email your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

New to the program, or just need a quick reference? Here are answers to some of the most common questions. For the full FAQ, visit the ESGP FAQ page.

What does my degree require?
Full requirements are in the Student Handbook. MS students complete 45+ graduate credits including core courses, a methods requirement, your area of concentration, and a thesis or project. PhD and PSM requirements are also detailed in the handbook.

What are the areas of concentration?
ESGP offers eight tracks: Biogeochemistry, Ecology, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, Quantitative Analysis, Social Science, Water Resources, and Climate Change. See Areas of Concentration for track-specific course requirements and contacts.

How do I register for thesis, reading, project, or internship courses?
Email your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu.

How long will my degree take?
Typically around 2 years for an MS and 4 years for a PhD, though this varies. Talk to your advisor early to build a timeline that works for you.

How do I find funding and scholarships?
Start with the ESGP Funding page and the Graduate School Funding page. Also see the award deadlines in this newsletter!

How do I meet with the Program Director?
Email Carolyn Fonyo to schedule. She holds in-person office hours Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Heckart Lodge.

Where do I find program forms and templates?
The Graduate School Forms page has forms for program-of-study planning, change of degree, and more.

How do I attend peers’ defenses?
Watch your inbox for defense announcements, or contact Renee Freeman for location, time, or Zoom link. All defenses are open to the community; please come support your peers!

Where can I find current student resources (checklists, degree requirements)?
Carolyn shares MS/PhD/PSM checklists with students. You can also visit: MS/PSM Students | PhD Students | Certificate Students

Upcoming Events

Water Resource Engineering Seminar Series: Starts April 8

The Water Resource Engineering Seminar Series kicks off this term with Dr. Todd Jarvis presenting “Get Your Game Face On: Societal Engineering with Serious Gaming in Water.”
When: Tuesday, April 8, 4:00–5:00 PM  |  Where: Burt Hall 193 (also on Zoom)
Free and open to the public. OSU students may enroll for credit: Seminar WRD 507 (CRN 52900). The series continues through June with upcoming speakers Dr. Michelle Busch (May 20), Dr. Erin Seybold (May 27), and Caelan Simeone (June 3).

Biology Graduate Student Symposium (BGSS): April 10, 2026

The annual BGSS is April 10! Register to attend and discover biology research across OSU. Contact Olivia Noonan or Elena Gasiorowski with questions.

DOE SCGSR Program: Workshop April 9

Extended research residencies at DOE national labs for PhD students. Attend the informational workshop on April 9, 2:00–4:30 PM ET (register here). Deadline to apply: May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Apply here.

Art About Agriculture Tour 2026: Through April 17

“Field Report,” the 2026 Art About Agriculture Touring Exhibition, is on display at the Giustina Gallery, LaSells Stewart Center (875 SW 26th St, Corvallis) through April 17. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Free.

SOLVE Oregon: Earth Month Volunteering (All of April)

SOLVE Oregon is coordinating the Oregon Spring Cleanup throughout April, with 200+ projects statewide. Visit solveoregon.org to find or host a project near you.

16th Annual Hydrophiles Symposium: May 2026

Coming up in May! Keynote speaker: Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Binnizá/Zapotec & Maya Ch’orti’), Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and author of Fresh Banana Leaves. OSU invited speaker: Dr. Bryan Tilt, Professor of Anthropology at OSU. More details to follow.

IASNR Conference: June in Corvallis

The International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) is hosting their annual conference in June right here in Corvallis! Registration is open. Student scholarships are available; see the IASNR financial support FAQ for details.

OSU Commencement Reception: June 2026

Join us to celebrate our graduating students at the ESGP Commencement Reception in June. Details and RSVP information to follow.

Weekly ESGP Friday Zoom Meetings

Informal weekly Zoom to connect, network, share ideas, and ask questions.
When: Fridays, 1:00–2:00 PM PT (excluding holidays and term breaks)
 |  Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.

ESGP Monthly Co-working Sessions

Organized by ESGP student Taro Cole: low-stakes casual sessions to get work done alongside peers. In person at Snell Hall 323; e-campus students join via Zoom. Monthly; watch for the next announcement or contact esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu.

Community Spotlight: Interested in an Environmental Book Club?

ESGP student Chad Thurman is interested in starting an informal environmental non-fiction book club, with a loose reading schedule and one or two Zoom discussions per term. Some titles on his recent reading list: Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane, We Loved It All by Lydia Millet, Erosion by Terry Tempest Williams, and Fresh Banana Leaves by Patricia Kaishian.

Interested in joining or helping organize? Reach out to esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu and we’ll connect you with Chad.

Certificate Opportunity: Water Conflict Management and Transformation

Did you know you can earn a Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation concurrently with your MS or PhD, with no extra credits, no extra work, and no extra time required? The 18 certificate credits count within your existing degree requirements and are available to both on-campus and online students.

To explore the curriculum and benefits, visit the Certificate Program page. If you’re interested: (1) discuss with your primary advisor first, then (2) complete the Change of Degree/Major/Certificate form. Questions? Contact Lynette de Silva (available Tue/Thu afternoons for in-person or Zoom meetings).

Funding, Awards & Scholarships

Several deadlines are coming up quickly. Please review the award websites carefully, as prompts for letters of nomination, student statements, and other materials have been updated this cycle.

OSU Graduate Awards: April & May Deadlines

Award	Deadline	Notes
Jesse Bell Loan	April 6, 2026	Mostly student-driven; brief nomination letter from program or advisor also required.
Frolander Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistants	April 13 by 5:00 PM
Yerex Graduate Scholarship	April 13 by 5:00 PM
Excellence in Mentoring Awards (4 categories)	April 20 by 5:00 PM	Categories: Graduate Student Mentoring; Postdoctoral Mentoring; Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Graduate Student; Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Postdoc.
Postdoctoral Excellence Award	April 20 by 5:00 PM
Oregon Lottery Graduate Scholarship	April 27 by 5:00 PM
Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research	May 1 by 5:00 PM	$15,000 over fall/winter/spring 2026–27. Can be received in addition to a graduate appointment.
Flyfisher’s Club of Oregon Graduate Scholarship	May 4	$7,000 scholarship disbursed in full in fall term.
Graduate Dean’s Catalyst Fellowship (Summer 2026)	May 4 by 5:00 PM
Thurgood Marshall Award	May 4 by 5:00 PM
Thesis, Dissertation & Ecampus Completion Awards (Summer 2026)	Opens April 13 | Due May 18 by 5:00 PM

Ongoing OSU Awards (Apply Anytime)

• Financial Impact Hardship Award
• Professional Development Award
• Scholarly Presentation Award

For all award details and application links, visit the Office of Graduate Education Funding page.

Other Funding Opportunities

• DOE SCGSR Program, 2026 Solicitation 1 (Deadline: May 6): Extended research residencies at DOE national labs for PhD students. Informational workshop April 9. Apply here.
• IASNR Student Scholarships: Available for the June 2026 conference in Corvallis. See IASNR financial support FAQ.

Jobs & Other Opportunities

• City of Olympia, WA: Stormwater Internships (Summer 2026).
  • Stormwater Inspection Intern — Apply by April 17, 2026
  • Stormwater Education & Outreach Intern — Apply by April 27, 2026

  See postings at olympiawa.gov/pss. Questions? Contact Kane Osstifin at kosstifi@ci.olympia.wa.us or (360) 753-8579.

• IHE Delft Short Course: Water Conflict, Cooperation and Diplomacy (November 9–20, 2026). Two-week on-campus course in the Netherlands. More information.
• Graduation Regalia Available: ESGP alum Cassandra Leone (2023) has an MS gown (Jostens Evergreen, orange hood, approx. 5’4″). Shipping cost only. Contact cleone@nsf.org.

Please contact us at esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu if you would like to share events, announcements, job postings, or other resources of interest to our students.

ESGP Program Page | LinkedIn Group | FAQ | Forms

Early Spring Greetings, ESGP Community!

As we reach the final weeks of Winter term, the ESGP community has been busy — with final defenses, new opportunities, and a full slate of events heading into spring. Please read on for upcoming events, funding opportunities, and resources to support your graduate journey. As always, I encourage you to attend your peers’ final defenses, connect with fellow students, and reach out if there is anything I can do to support you.

Carolyn Fonyo, ESGP Director

Improve Your Access to Our Community

• JOBS! Join the ESGP LinkedIn Group for job postings and professional connections.
• Join the ESGP Discord to connect with fellow students.
• Meet with the ESGP Director in Heckart Lodge — email carolyn.fonyo@oregonstate.edu to schedule (Tue/Thu afternoons).
• Use student office space in Snell 323 — get a key from Renee. Ideas and suggestions welcome at mohammae@oregonstate.edu.
• Attend the Weekly Friday Zoom — Fridays 1–2 PM PT. Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.
• Share your research, stories, and photos for the newsletter and outreach — reach out to Carolyn or Indy.

Important Resources for Graduate Students

• Emergency & Wellness Resources: CAPS | Graduate Education Services | Disability Access Services
• Course Registration: For overrides on thesis, reading, project, or internship ENSC courses, email your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu.

Upcoming Events

OSU Academic Calendar Reminders

• Mon Mar 16: Winter Finals Week begins
• Fri Mar 20: Winter Term ends
• Mon Mar 30: Spring Term begins

ESGP Final Defenses

Please come support your fellow ESGP students! All are welcome.

• Stephen Oakley, MS — Mon Mar 16, 10:00 AM: “Environmental Inequalities of Wildfire: Santa Cruz, California”
• Will DeDen, MS — Mon Mar 16, 2:00 PM: “Methylmercury Production, Export, and Water Quality Transformation in Lake Almaden: Implications for Management”
• Austin Carey, PSM — Tue Mar 17, 11:00 AM: “Building A GIS Database for Shady Creek Forest Resources”
• Jorge A. Fuentes, MS — Wed Mar 18, 1:00 PM: “The Langweiher Moor Peatland Renaturation led Paludification: Hydrologic Regime Reinstatement, Water-Table Saturation, Biodiversity Dynamics”
• Olivia Cleek, PSM — Thu Mar 19, 11:00 AM: “Using Social Media to Assess the Presence and Distribution of Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) in the Northeast Pacific”
• Zoë Jans, PSM — Fri Mar 20, 11:00 AM: “Integrating Environmental Assessment Writing with Prairie Mitigation Planning: Applied Propagation Data to Support Upland Prairie Restoration in the North Willamette Valley”

Biology Graduate Student Symposium (BGSS) — April 10, 2026

The annual BGSS is April 10! Register by April 3 to attend and discover biology research across OSU. Vote for your favorite BGSS logo design by March 18. Contact Olivia Noonan or Elena Gasiorowski with questions.

16th Annual Hydrophiles Symposium — May 2026

The Hydrophiles Symposium is coming up in May! Keynote speaker: Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Binnizá/Zapotec & Maya Ch’orti’), Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and author of Fresh Banana Leaves. OSU invited speaker: Dr. Bryan Tilt, Professor of Anthropology at OSU, whose research focuses on environmental anthropology and the human dimensions of natural resources.

Art About Agriculture Tour 2026 — Giustina Gallery, Through April 17

“Field Report,” the 2026 Art About Agriculture Touring Exhibition, is on display at the Giustina Gallery, LaSells Stewart Center (875 SW 26th St, Corvallis) through April 17. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Free.

SOLVE Oregon — Earth Month Volunteering (April)

SOLVE Oregon is coordinating the Oregon Spring Cleanup throughout April, with 200+ projects statewide. Visit solveoregon.org to find or host a project near you.

Weekly ESGP Friday Zoom Meetings

Informal weekly Zoom to connect, network, share ideas, and ask questions.
When: Fridays, 1:00–2:00 PM PT (excluding holidays and term breaks)
Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.

ESGP Monthly Co-working Sessions

Organized by ESGP student Taro Cole — low-stakes casual sessions to get work done alongside peers. In person at Snell Hall 323; e-campus students join via Zoom. Monthly — watch for the next announcement or contact esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu.

Spring Courses of Interest

• GEO 431/531 Environmental Geochemistry — In-person, Corvallis. Contact Prof. Alyssa Shiel (alyssa.shiel@oregonstate.edu).
• GEOG 407/507/607 Spring Seminar: “Climate and the Environment: Science for a Changing World” — Student-organized spring seminar series.

Funding & Fellowship Opportunities

DOE Marine Energy Fellowship — Graduate Student Track

Deadline: March 27, 2026
Supports MS and PhD students in marine energy research. Stipend: $2,700 MS / $3,150 PhD/month, health insurance supplement, up to $10,000 in allowances. U.S. Citizen or LPR, thesis-based program. Deadline: March 27, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

UPenn EcoVenture Challenge — Climate Startup Competition

Deadline: March 21, 2026
International student climate startup competition, up to $10,000 in prizes. Deadline: March 21, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

DOE SCGSR Program — 2026 Solicitation 1

Deadline: May 6, 2026
Extended research residencies at DOE national labs for PhD students. Workshop: April 9, 2026, 2:00–4:30 PM ET. Deadline: May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

Jobs & Other Opportunities

Calapooia Watershed Council — 2 Spring Job Openings

Two spring education and outreach positions in Brownsville, OR. See calapooia.org/about/our-team.

IHE Delft Short Course: Water Conflict, Cooperation and Diplomacy

November 9–20, 2026. Two-week on-campus course in the Netherlands.

Graduation Regalia Available

ESGP alum Cassandra Leone (2023) has an MS gown available — Jostens Evergreen, orange hood, approx. 5’4″. Shipping cost only. Contact cleone@nsf.org.

Please contact us at esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu if you would like to share events, announcements, job postings, or other resources of interest to our students.

Winter Greetings to Our Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Community

Hello ESGP community! Winter term is in full swing and there is a lot happening across our program. Please read on for upcoming events, funding opportunities, and resources to support your graduate journey. As always, I encourage you to attend your peers’ final defenses, connect with fellow students, and reach out if there is anything I can do to support you.

Carolyn Fonyo, ESGP Director

1. Improve Your Access to Our Community

• JOBS! Join the ESGP LinkedIn Group – to learn about opportunities and connect with our alumni.
• Join the ESGP Discord – share, have conversations, ask questions, and connect with peers.
• Meet with the ESGP Director in person in Heckart Lodge – contact carolyn.fonyo@oregonstate.edu to schedule, Tuesday/Thursday afternoons.
• Use our student office space in Snell 323 – get your key from Renee and reach out to Emily Mohammadi (mohammae@oregonstate.edu) with ideas for the space.
• Attend the Weekly Friday Zooms – Fridays, 1:00–2:00 PM PT.. Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.
• Share research, stories, photos – for our newsletter and other outreach channels.

2. Important Resources for Graduate Students

Emergency and Wellness Resources:

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Support for stress, crisis, or mental health concerns.
• Graduate Education Services: Academic support, workshops, and professional development.
• Disability Access Services: Accommodations, assistive technologies, and alternative testing.

Course Registration: For overrides on thesis, reading, project, or internship ENSC courses, email your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu.

3. Upcoming Events

ESGP Final Defenses

Please come support your fellow ESGP students! All are welcome.

• Laura Gregory, PSM — Thu Feb 26, 1:00 PM: “Integrating Environmental Analysis into the LCC GIS Curriculum”
• Trevor Jordan, MS — Fri Feb 27, 9:00 AM: “Azolla caroliniana as Remediation and Reclamation Agent for Anthropogenic Phosphorus”
• Annaliese Schweitzer, MS — Fri Feb 27, 2:00 PM: “A Landowner’s Guidebook: Recovering Boltonia decurrens In The Illinois River Valley”

BLM Site Tour – Proposed Logging near Center for Rural Livelihoods

The BLM is proposing to log a forested parcel neighboring the Center for Rural Livelihoods (formerly Aprovecho) campus near Cottage Grove. Come meet the BLM representative in the field and share your perspective on this public land management decision.
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 9:30 AM (full-day option available)
Where: Creswell Community Center, 99 S 1st St, Creswell, OR 97426
Contact Eric T. Jones for more information or to arrange a carpool from Eugene.

ESGP Monthly Co-working Session

When: Monday, March 2, 2026, 2:00–4:00 PM PT
Where: Snell Hall 323 + Zoom
Organized by Taro Cole.

OPEnS Lab Seventh Annual OPEnS-House – Grand Opening of New Space!

When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4:00–6:30 PM PDT
Where: Hovland Hall OPEnS Lab, Oregon State University, Corvallis
RSVP (requested): https://beav.es/OPEnS

Biology Graduate Student Symposium (BGSS) 2026

When: Friday, April 10, 2026, 4:00–9:00 PM
Where: Memorial Union Horizon Room
Register here
Questions? Contact co-chairs Olivia Noonan (noonano@oregonstate.edu) and Elena Gasiorowski (gasiorel@oregonstate.edu).

Weekly ESGP Friday Zoom Meetings

When: Fridays, 1:00–2:00 PM PT (excluding holidays and term breaks)
Informal virtual gatherings to connect, network, and discuss research, coursework, and career topics.
| Interested in leading a session? Sign up here.

WRE Winter Seminar Series (Water Resources Engineering)

When: Wednesdays, 4:00–5:00 PM
Where: Bexell Hall 328 or via Zoom (passcode: WRE2026)
Happy hour at Bombz Away on Monroe follows each seminar — all welcome.

4. Funding & Fellowship Opportunities

Bob Nisbet Graduate Scholarship in Environmental Sciences

A new ESGP-specific scholarship supporting graduate student research or professional development expenses. Preference given to students in need working across any of ESGP’s eight areas of concentration.
Deadline: May 31, 2026 (rolling nominations/applications)
Contact esgp@oregonstate.edu for the scholarship guidelines.

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program – 2026 Solicitation 1

For Ph.D. students (U.S. Citizens and LPRs): supplemental awards up to $3,600/month to conduct dissertation research at a DOE national laboratory.
Application Deadline: May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Workshop 2 – Q&A & Proposal Writing: April 9, 2026, 2:00–4:30 PM ET

OSU Graduate Awards – Upcoming Deadlines

• Thesis & Dissertation Completion Awards (Spring 2026): Deadline February 23, 2026
• Ecampus Degree Completion Award: Deadline February 23, 2026
• Lenore Bayley Graduate Scholarship: Deadline March 9, 2026
• Ongoing awards: Financial Impact Hardship Award, Professional Development Award, Scholarly Presentation Award

5. Jobs & Other Opportunities

New Course: Terrestrial Biogeochemistry & Global Change (BEE599) – Spring 2026
CRN: 60167 | Questions? Contact the instructor directly.

Job Openings:

• Calapooia Watershed Council – 2 Spring Education & Outreach Positions (Brownsville, OR): calapooia.org/about/our-team
• Wilson Construction – GIS Analyst / Environmental Scientist (Aurora/Canby, OR)
• Ecosystem Workforce Program (U of O) – Environmental Science Researcher: Contact Heidi Huber-Stearns
• Padilla Bay NERR – Monitoring & Laboratory Specialist: Open until filled.

Spring Internship at Center for Rural Livelihoods (Cottage Grove, OR)
Hands-on work in agroforestry, habitat restoration, ecological forestry, natural building, and appropriate technologies at a 40-acre campus. rurallivelihoods.org/internships

Please contact us at esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu if you would like to share events, announcements, job postings, or other resources of interest to our students.

Holiday Greetings to Our Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Community

During the break, please stay connected with the ESGP community through our various platforms. Your participation enriches our collective experience and fosters a supportive environment for all. We look forward to your active engagement and wish you a joyful and relaxing holiday season and safe travels.

Hope to see you at McMenamin’s on Friday, December 5th at 5 pm for an interdisciplinary program end of term gathering!

Carolyn Fonyo, ESGP Director

1. Improve Your Access to Our Community

JOBS! Join the ESGP LinkedIn Group – to learn about opportunities and to make connections with our alumni.

Join the ESGP Discord – this is a space to share, have conversations, ask questions, meet others, and attend movie watch nights and other events!

Meet with the ESGP Director in person in Heckart Lodge – contact carolyn.fonyo@oregonstate.edu to schedule a meeting time, T/Th afternoons starting Winter term 2026.

Use our expansive student office space in Snell 323 – we are reorganizing and making it more functional. Please get your key from Renee and check it out, and also reach out to Emily Mohammadi to discuss ideas to better use the space, mohammae@oregonstate.edu

Attend the Weekly Friday Zooms –

Attend Defenses – check your inbox for announcements about your peers’ defenses or contact Renee Freeman for the meeting location and time or Zoom link. Please attend as many defenses as you can to get a preview of the process and to show your support for your peers. Let’s celebrate each other as we progress through the program!

Upcoming defenses:

• Abby Williams – 12/8/25
• Brian Bardellini – 12/9/25
• Zoe Vincent – 12/10/25
• Ashley Meyer – 12/15/25

Share research, stories, photos – for our newsletter and other outreach channels.

2. Important Resources for Graduate Students

Emergency and Wellness Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Support for stress, crisis, or any mental health concerns.
Website: CAPS Student Resources

Technical Support: Assistance with online learning tools and resources.
Website: https://technology.oregonstate.edu/help

Graduate Education Services: Academic support, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
Website: https://graduate.oregonstate.edu/current-students#resources

Academic Accommodations and Disability Access Services

Support for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to educational opportunities. Services include academic accommodations, assistive technologies, and alternative testing arrangements.
Website: Disability Access Services

Course Registration Assistance

For ENSC Courses: If you need an override for thesis, reading, project, or internship courses, email your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu.

Student Office Space

Location: Snell Hall, Room 323. Quiet study space, desk areas, and access to office resources. Email esgp@oregonstate.edu to request access.

Leave of Absence

If you will not be registering for a term, please submit your leave of absence form at least two weeks prior to the start of the term: https://graduate.oregonstate.edu/formlink/14711

3. Upcoming Events

Interdisciplinary End-of-Term Social!

We invite students and faculty from the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program (ESGP), Water Resources Graduate Program (WRGP), and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) to gather for an informal end-of-term social hour:

• When: Friday, December 5, 5:00 PM
• Where: McMenamins on Monroe, Corvallis
• No RSVP required. Come celebrate the end of fall term with your interdisciplinary peers.

Weekly ESGP Zoom Meetings

When: Fridays, 1:00–2:00 PM PT (excluding holidays and term breaks)
What: Virtual gatherings for students to connect, network, and discuss various topics like research, coursework, and career advice.
Zoom:
Get Involved: Interested in leading a session? Sign up here
Contact: Carolyn Fonyo at carolyn.fonyo@oregonstate.edu

Please contact us if you would like us to share any events, seminars, or workshops of interest to our students.

4. Funding & Fellowship Opportunities

OSU Story Lab Fellowship

Stipend: $3,000 + academic credit (AJ 402)
Application Deadline: Rolling – placements begin Winter Term 2026
Application: Apply here
Info: https://storylab.oregonstate.edu/fellowship-application

The OSU Story Lab Fellowship invites students with a passion for storytelling and science to embed with research teams, labs, and startups across Oregon. Fellows produce multimedia stories—video, audio, prose, or photography—highlighting the human side of scientific discovery. The fellowship spans at least three terms (Winter, Spring, and Summer), with the option for a fourth. Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend, two credits of AJ 402 per term, and one-on-one mentorship from faculty and media professionals. Open to students from all disciplines.

Graduate Student Awards

More information: https://graduate.oregonstate.edu/awards

• Delson Bridge to the Future Fund — Winter 2026 Deadline: Mon, January 12, 2026. Up to three awards of $1,000 each.
• Jesse M. Bell Memorial Graduate Student Loan — Winter 2026 Deadline: Mon, January 12, 2026. Up to $5,000.
• Dissertation Completion Award (Doctoral) — Winter 2026 Deadline: Mon, December 1, 2025. Covers tuition and fees for 3 graduate credits.
• Thesis Completion Award (Master’s) — Winter 2026 Deadline: Mon, December 1, 2025. Covers tuition and fees for 3 graduate credits.
• Ecampus Degree Completion Award — Winter 2026 Deadline: Mon, December 1, 2025. Covers tuition for 3–6 graduate-level Ecampus credits.
• Financial Impact Hardship Award — Opens Mon, June 23, 2025 (rolling). Up to $1,000/term or $2,000/academic year.

5. Other Resources of Interest

The Wide-Open podcasts from NPR
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1254361510/the-wide-open
“Explore the places where we come together and fall apart. Nuanced reporting on under-covered environmental issues — with plenty of adventure, wildlife and rich sound along the way.”

MU Holiday Marketplace
Handmade crafts, art, and artisanal food at one of Corvallis’s most beloved holiday markets!
When: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Dec. 5–6 | Where: Memorial Union Ballroom

Winter Whale Watch Week at Hatfield Marine Science Center
Celebrate the wonders of whales this holiday season! Join the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport for games, films, and hands-on activities highlighting migrating gray whales. From mid-December through mid-January, more than 20,000 gray whales travel the Oregon coast on their journey south to the warm waters of Baja Mexico.

Friday, December 1, 2023  ||   1 PM PST

The is a reminder that we will be offering ESGP folks a chance to meet, connect, network, share, and ask questions via a Zoom meeting Friday. This meeting is offered every Friday from 1:00 – 2:00p Pacific time (excluding holidays). Please contact us if you have any difficulties accessing Zoom at the link below.

This week we have a topic being led by Dr. Brian Baker regarding pesticide risk management. Pesticides are a feature of modern agriculture and are relied upon for food and fiber production. However, they carry with them risks to human health and the environment. Various farming systems, such as integrated pest management (IPM) and organic farming seek to mitigate those risks. The discussion will talk about the risks, models used to measure the risks, and practices that mitigate the risks in question.

Join us here!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to host a webinar for Tribal College and University students on November 1, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET Come learn about EPA and IHS’ role in protecting human health and the environment and exciting and rewarding career opportunities in or near Indian country and throughout the U.S. To register for the webinar email: oita.contactus@epa.gov To view the webinar, click here.

May 31, 2023

Please join for our meet-and-greet for grad students and faculty at OSU interested in Environmental Arts and Humanities. All disciplines are welcome! We will be having a vegetarian (street tacos) lunch in MU 208, timed to coincide with our annual regional graduate student conference on May 31. We hope you’ll join us for the lunch part, and (I hope!) also attend some of the sessions. I’m still working on the program but there will be morning and afternoon presentations.

Interested in displaying your work during the conference? The lunch is also an informal “poster session” time, which can display your research or creative work (including art). You don’t need to be a presenter in order to display a poster or art. Respond to the survey below to RSVP!!

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Morning sessions: 830-12pm

Lunch: 12pm-1pm meet-and-greet

Afternoon sessions: 1pm-350pm

Keynote: 4pm: “Secret Lives of Glaciers” with M Jackson.

Dr. M Jackson is a geographer and science communicator exploring the intersections of gender, glaciology, and climate change. Jackson is a National Geographic Society Explorer, TED Fellow, and three-time U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Jackson earned a doctorate from the University of Oregon, a Master of Science degree from the University of Montana, and serves as a U.S. Fulbright Ambassador and an Expert for National Geographic Expeditions. Jackson is the author of The Ice Sings Back (2023), The Secret Lives of Glaciers (2019), and While Glaciers Slept (2015). Jackson is currently the Climate and Energy host for Crash Course and the lead scientist on Netflix’s series Pirate Gold of Adak Island. Learn more at www.drmjackson.com

Partners

OSU Environmental Arts and Humanities Initiative

Spring Creek Project for Ideas, Nature, and the Written Word

OSU Environmental Sciences Graduate Program 

Contact: jacob.hamblin@oregonstate.edu

The conference schedule is still being finalized. It will be posted here, along with all relevant links! 

May 18, 2023 || Hosted by University of Oregon

Call for Abstracts Posters and Short Oral Paper Presentations Submission Deadline: May 1, 2023 The Environmental Studies Program at the University of Oregon is delighted to host the 26th annual Joint Campus Conference (JCC). We look forward to organizing a stimulating conference. The JCC has traditionally been a forum for environmental scholars from Oregon, Oregon State, and Portland State Universities to share their research and writing. To encourage interaction between participants, we are offering the opportunity for graduate students to choose one of two presentation formats, as follows: • Posters are ideal for presenting work that can be communicated effectively by the use of visuals. As a rule, the amount of text on posters should be minimal. Posters will be displayed at the poster session and may or may not be accompanied by a brief oral presentation. The poster print size for the symposium is 42” x 36” landscape or 36” x 42” portrait orientation. • Paper presentations are 10 minutes each (oral presentations), followed by 5 minutes for questions and discussion. Graduate students should submit a 300-word abstract (maximum) and indicate whether they prefer a paper presentation or a poster. Due to limited time slots, some students may be offered to submit a poster instead of an oral presentation. Participants are strongly encouraged to make their presentations and posters accessible. Please consider using sans-serif typefaces, displaying high-contrast images, and providing access copies with anoutline for presentations. Submission website: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/jcc2023/Contact: Helena Virga, helenav@uoregon.edu

We would like to welcome new and current student to spring term 2023. The term officially begins on Monday, April 3 and ends June 16. Please feel free to contact Renee Freeman or Dr. Carolyn Fonyo if you have any questions or registration issues.

Please make sure to monitor your ONID email account for important information and announcements from OSU and ESGP. Email is our main form of communication with students. Watch for the ESGP newsletter that is emailed to students the beginning of each month. Take a moment to check out the ESGP Blog at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/esgp/, it includes various information including announcements, events and previous newsletters. If you have anything you would like to share, please send Josh an email to esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu.

Below is important information regarding ENSC course registration.

• Please note that you will need an override in order to register for thesis credits, ENSC 503 or ENSC 603, reading and conference credits, ENSC 505 or ENSC 605, project credits, ENSC 506, and/or internship credits, ENSC 510.
  • When planning to register for one or more of these ENSC graduate courses, please send an email to esgp@oregonstate.edu with the course information (course number, CRN and term), your name, your OSU ID number, and the name of your major professor. Once an override has been issued, you will then be sent an email informing you that you are now able to register. 

• ENSC 508 is no longer required and the website has been updated. You are welcome to attend the joint campus conference and we will share information as soon as we receive it, but it is no longer required to take the credit. With many Ecampus students, it’s not feasible. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this change.

When or if you have completed the CITI Responsible Conduct for Research certificate to fulfill the ethics requirement, please send a copy of the certificate to esgp@oregonstate.edu (unless you’ve taken GRAD 520 or another ethics course).

If you will not be registering for classes during Fall, Winter or Spring terms, you will need to complete a Leave of Absence form, approved and signed by your major professor and the program director, and submitted to the Graduate School for approval. This will enable you to continue to be a student in good standing. Below is the Graduate School’s Leave of Absence website that includes a link for the form.

• https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/formlink/14711

You can also find the Oregon State University Academic Calendar that lists important term dates at the link below. It is recommended that you review the dates on the webpage.

• https://registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar

The Graduate School will be celebrating OSU’s graduate students during Grad Appreciation Week, April 17^th – 21^st. Events this year include an open house for the Grad Writing Center, headshots in the Grad Student Commons, and free coffee and swag items. The Grad Appreciation Week website will be updated with details over the next couple of weeks.

The Environmental Sciences Graduate Program will be offering ESGP folks a chance to meet, connect, network, share, and ask questions via weekly informal ESGP Meetings via Zoom. The meeting is offered every Friday from 1:00 – 2:00p Pacific time (excluding holidays) and can be accessed at the Zoom link below. If you have a topic that you would like to discuss during the first 30 minutes of any Friday meeting, please go to the link below to add your information and background materials. Please also use the link to check for scheduled discussion dates and topics of interest.

https://beav.es/oUJ

Topic: ESGP weekly meeting

Time: Every week on Friday at 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system if you have not already downloaded it.

Weekly: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/tJEkcuihqjIiE9yTakoke8oqHYrzC_QY5Jq7/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCtpz4rE9CcuBCPRowMHY_4d_PwiFhHj_pEqB7uDCtWOgznHttQKJFAIeGF

Link to Join Zoom Meeting with password

https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/95951949898?pwd=Y3BJOFRBT1VNdGZzTHVUQ25OYzdhQT09

Password: 846298

Phone Dial-In Information

        +1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

Meeting ID: 959 5194 9898

Join by Polycom/Cisco/Other Room System

95951949898@zoomcrc.com