Thursday, January 22, 2026

Friday lecture by Dean Brinkmann and Dr. Oo Jan 23rd lecture online only

 Due to potential bad weather on Friday, we have moved the lecture online only.


Please register at the link below or using the QR code in the flyer:




Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Paid Summer Internship, CLIP, through the The Land Conservancy of McHenry County!

 

TLC is a Non-Profit Land Trust that focuses on preserving, and restoring, privately owned land in McHenry County Illinois. TLC owns/manages almost 1,000 acres of open-to-the-public protected preserves and provides free/affordable educational programming for the greater McHenry area. I am reaching out to you to discuss recruitment for an internship program that begins May 2026.

The application period for the Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) opened January 15, 2026 and closes February 15, 2026. We are looking for 2 interns to work with TLC this summer.

CLIP is a paid (or for college credit) summer internship that will provide women, underrepresented, BIPOC & LGBTQ+ students/youth with hands-on professional training in the field of conservation. Participants will gain experience in areas such as Plant identification, Land management, GIS/GPS training, Prescribed fire training, Herbicide use, Rare plant monitoring, Wildlife/Stream surveys, Sustainable farming techniques, Land preservation techniques, Field safety, Scientific research/Experimental design, Art in the natural world, Career development and Professional networking. Collectively, these skills will give each participant a strong understanding of the field of conservation and serve as a springboard for a professional career in the field of conservation.

We are looking for students/youth that are High School Juniors or Seniors and/or Freshman-Senior in college. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a college program.


Updated - LEED Training Workshops - 2026 Webinars

 LEED Green Associate Certification: 2026 Workshops

Start your year off strongly by becoming a LEED Green Associate professional and show employers your certified knowledge in sustainability before May 2026, when the LEED exam is set to become more challenging. While LEED itself is a scorecard to rate Green Buildings, students and professionals can also become LEED accredited demonstrating their expertise in sustainability.

- LEED: Is the #1 Sustainability Certification and is recognized globally
Valuable Credential: Adds an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability.
Open to All: Available for students of all years, with no prior experience required as our workshop has helped over 15,000 pass their exam.
Time Sensitive: Those who pass before May 2026 will not be required to take the updated and more challenging new exam.
Affordable: Limited time student discounts are available for you!
High Pass Rate: Our workshops focus not just on passing the test, but on providing a deep understanding of the material which significantly improves your chances of success, especially considering the exam's historically low pass rate.

LEED Green Associate (GA) Training - Webinar and Online self-paced options:

I will be offering live webinars that can be streamed on any of the following dates:

1. February 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
2. March 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT
3. April 11 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT - OR -
4. On-demand recordings completed at your own pace

The above options (1-4) are all identical.

Register for a live online seminar or start today with our on-demand recorded workshop completed anytime at your own pace here - https://leadinggreen.com/online

Both options offer comprehensive training, practice exams, valuable tips, and required textbooks - all led by a USGBC Faculty member. It's the most efficient and affordable way to master the material without breaking the bank!

Cost: $200 with the coupon code ‘green’ for $100 off! (Non-students $300)

Please contact the instructor Lorne directly with any questions at info@leadinggreen.com

Spring 2026 Career Services Events & Tools for Student Success



 Spring 2026 Career Services Events (Attached is a flyer as well)

All-Majors Internship & Job Fair
Wednesday, February 18
1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
NIU Convocation Center
Open to students of all majors seeking internships or full-time positions.

HELPS Fair
Healthcare, Education, Legal, and Public Service/Non-Profit
Monday, February 23
2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
NIU Convocation Center

We’re excited to introduce the first-ever HELPS Fair, designed for students interested in meaningful, service-oriented careers.

Career Success Clinic: This event takes place prior to all of our career fairs and provides students with hands-on support for resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and elevator pitches while allowing them to connect directly with employers. The Career Success Clinic is an excellent opportunity for students seeking individualized feedback and practical experience, and it also includes free professional LinkedIn photos for students.


Career Fairs Hosted by Other NIU Colleges

  • Accountancy/Finance Career Fair
    Thursday, February 12 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • College of Business Career Fair
    Thursday, February 12 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • College of Engineering Career Fair
    Tuesday, February 17 | 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Career Services Resources (Attached is a flyer as well)

I also wanted to share our Career Services Resource Page, which includes several new tools and services that you can promote to students: https://www.niu.edu/career-services/resources/index.shtml 

One highlight is Quinncia, our online career preparation platform. We’ll be hosting the following webinars this spring:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Buffalo Grove Park District Internship

 Land Management Intern position for the Summer of 2026: https://buffalogroveparkdistrict.applytojob.com/apply/drxmpMusYS/Land-Management-Intern?referrer=20260120145005RLR9BN6NKT9X15ZM 

REU opportunity at Mountain Lake Biological Station in Virginia

 Mountain Lake Biological Station REU:  https://mlbs.virginia.edu/reuprogram


Mountain Lake Biological Station has an excellent field biology REU program: it pays really well ($7,000) and includes room and board all summer.

ENCAP, Inc. Internship Listing

 Ecological Restoration Technician Internship - https://encapinc.net/careers/

2026 Natural Areas Crew Seasonal Positions

 The Natural Areas Crew is hiring seasonal workers for the 2026 season!

The Natural Areas Crew is dedicated to ecological restoration and the promotion of outdoor safety, education, stewardship, and equitable access to natural spaces within our community. We implement conservation and restoration methods to enhance the quality of natural areas and engage in trail maintenance, fence repairs, and general park upkeep to ensure the safety and accessibility of outdoor spaces.

We Identify and learn about both native and non-native flora relevant to the region, fostering a deeper understanding of local ecosystems. We also collaborate with community groups and volunteer organizations to connect people to nature, promote environmental education, and mentor individuals in outdoor stewardship practices. Pay is $24.35/hr. The application closes on February 2nd.

If you or anyone in your networks are interested in working with us in 2026, please share!

 

Natural Areas Worker Position


Thursday, January 15, 2026

Registration is open for IAEP Student Career Conference (virtual)

 On Saturday, February 7th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST, IAEP will be holding its annual Student Career Seminar. This free online seminar with members of the IAEP Board includes topics, such as How to Network and Interview, The Benefits of Professional Organizations, About Internships and their Value, and How to Build your Resume. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the environmental profession, gain insights into essential skill sets, and connect with practitioners who are committed to supporting earlycareer development. Whether you are defining your direction or preparing to launch your career, this session offers a concise and informative introduction to the breadth of opportunities within our field.

 

Reservations are required at www.iaepnetwork.org.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Center for Southeast Asia Studies - EAE events

 Robert Brinkmann; Chit Wityi Oo

Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Smerge Endowed Dean’s Chair, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Northern Illinois University; Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Associate, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Northern Illinois University.
“Book talk: The Palgrave Handbook of Practical Sustainability”
Friday, Jan. 23, noon.


Matthew E. Andersen
Senior Scientist for Biology, Office of International Programs, U.S. Geological Survey.
“Mekong River Delta: History, Geography, and Socioeconomics”
Friday, Feb. 6, noon.
Peters Campus Life Building 100 and online (registration required for zoom attendance).

Miles Kenney-Lazar
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne.
“Socializing Land: Plantations, Dispossession and Resistance in Laos”
Friday, Mar. 27, noon.
Peters Campus Life Building 100 and online (registration required for zoom attendance).

Friday - legislative panel


 


The purpose of POWER is to empower student advocates, who have previous experience planning and/or participating in activities centered on the tenets of social justice, to enhance their tool kits for the purpose of community organizing.  Our goal is for student advocates to create spaces strategically and effectively for intentional and culturally specific planning focused on coalition building while allowing participants to work as allies and collaborators.

 

Kicking off POWER, all (NIU students, staff, faculty and community) are welcome to attend the legislative panel, happening at 10:15-11:45 on Friday at PCLB 100. Please see the attached flyer. We will be hearing from Representatives Theresa Mah and Maurice West and Senator Celena Villanueva.

 

Please forward to your department’s faculty and students. It’s a perfect way to kick off the weekend commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Friday, January 9, 2026

WoSTEM hosting Biological Anthropologist Dr. Kate Clancy 21 January 12:30-1:30

 

Who: Biological Anthropologist Dr. Kate Clancy from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

When: Wednesday 21 January from 12:30-1:30 

Where: Founders Memorial Library Staff Lounge, which is on the ground floor next to Einstein's Bagels. 

RSVP Here

As always, Women in STEM events are open to everyone and are intended as a forum to provide inspiration and connection for all people working across fields where women are often underrepresented. Lunch will be served. This is an honors engaged eligible event.

I look forward to seeing many of you there and appreciate you helping to spread the word!