Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School

The Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School provides an opportunity for students to apply traditional ecological knowledge and modern science to help solve contemporary problems. The LEAF School partners with tribes, governments, non-profits and businesses to make our community more sustainable through wildlife tracking, habitat restoration and environmental stewardship. At the core of the program is a series of courses in human ecology, Anth 201-203.

The LEAF School employs service-learning as a form of participant observation, the primary method of investigation in cultural anthropology. Students have the opportunity to participate in everyday activities of farmers, fishermen (and women), restoration ecologists, gardeners, entrepreneurs, citizen scientists, rangers, wildlife trackers and others while learning about the social and ecosystems of Western Washington.

Academic Year and Summer Options

The LEAF School is a year-round program. The human ecology courses meet one day per week during the academic year and for a series of two week intensive courses during summer quarter. During the academic year the class meets 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays. During the summer the class meets 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday for a couple of two-week intensive experiences. All three classes meet together. Students in the more advanced classes serve as mentors for introductory students. Students from other campuses are welcome to enroll in these courses. Most of our activities occur off campus and we take vans together from campus to field sites. To join beginning students should enroll in Anth 201. Visit www.edcc.edu/enroll to sign up.

Summer 2010: Two week intensive program

Wildlife & Watersheds of Western Washington, Aug. 2-13

Study people, plants and animals of Western Washington with a focus on wildlife tracking and watershed stewardship. Service-learning projects will include wildlife tracking, trail camera monitoring, ethnobotany, Chinook broodstocking, water quality testing, habitat restoration and sustainable farming with a focus on Snohomish and Stillaguamish watersheds. May involve some overnight camping. Beginning students should enroll in Anth 201 BA & BL. Returning students should enroll in Anth 202 or 203 BA & BL. Credit in a special topics courses is available for students who have already completed Anth 203. Contact tmurphy@edcc.edu for more information.

Scholarships Available

AmeriCorps education awards of $1,000 - $2,362 are available to eligible students through Washington Campus Compact’s Students in Service program. Students who complete the three quarter sequence of Anth 201 - 203 will earn enough service hours for a $1,000 scholarship. Students who enroll for only the two summer quarter classes can still complete an AmeriCorps term of service over the summer by volunteering for 100 hours with one of our partner organizations. Visit the Center for Service-Learning to find out more and to apply for Students in Service. Apply early to ensure your enrollment before the term starts.

Grant and Contract Projects

The LEAF School provides opportunities for students who have completed the human ecology sequence to continue their involvement with the community. We also provide training to K-12 teachers and community partners interested in implementing similar programs at their communities. Our grant and contract projects include a combination of volunteer, professional development and employment options. Current grant and contract projects include a full-time AmeriCorps position through Washington Campus Compact's Retention Project and mentoring through the Washington Watershed Education Teacher Training Program.

Retention Project

The LEAF School isseeking applicants for a full-time AmeriCorps position. The Student Engagement Specialist will assist Dr. Thomas Murphy in the development of service-learning projects for students in the human ecology courses, will lead our peer-to-peer mentoring program, will conduct outreach to local K-12 schools and assist with Washington Watershed Education Teacher Training Program. Applicants must have a minimum of an Associates degree. A bachelor, master or PhD is preferred. The selected member will serve Aug. 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 and will receive a $12,000 living stipend and a $5,350 education award. Applicants who have not aleady completed Anth 201 - 203 are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Summer 2010 program. To apply for this position submit a resume with two references and detailed cover letter to Dr. Thomas Murphy, tmurphy@edcc.edu, 425-640-1076. Applications are due no later than June 30, 2010.

Washington Watershed Education Teacher Training

The LEAF School is recruiting K-12 teachers, community partners and current and former students to participate in the Washington Watershed Education Teacher Training offered in partnership with Service, Education and Adventure (SEA) and funded by the B-WET program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We offer teachers and community partners a two-day marine-based workshop aboard the 65-foot cruiser Indigo to help design meaningful watershed education experiences. We offer college student mentors the opportunity to work with K-12 teachers in the implementation of meaningful watershed education experiences. Registration information and a schedule of upcoming workshops is available at www.serviceeducationadventure.org/noaa.php.

Financial Support

Support for the LEAF School comes from Edmonds CC Foundation, REI of Alderwood, Corporation for National and Community Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, State Farm Youth Service America and Washington Campus Compact.

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