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Tara DePorte Professional Resumé |
Professional Activities
The New School, NY NY
Adjunct Professor, 2011
Develop and instruct a course for Undergraduate Students in the Environmental Studies Program concerning environmental decision-making and action.
Human Impacts Institute, NY, NY
Founder and Executive Director 2010-present
Develop and run an organization committed to fostering creativity in sustainability through experiential education, policy development and research, creative expression, leadership training, and collaborative partnership building (www.HumanImpactsInstitute.org)
Webster University, Leiden, Netherlands
Visiting Professor 2008-present
Develop and instruct and Undergraduate Course in studio art and social action, specializing in painting and drawing: Sustainable Development, Gender and Natural Resources (South Africa, 2010), Art as Social Change (Summer 2010).Develop and instruct Undergraduate Course in climate change science, policy and solutions-based outreach education: Climate Concerns, Taking Action Beyond An Inconvenient Truth (Summer 2008 and Summer 2009).
School of International and Public Affairs & Dept of Earth and Environmental Science, Columbia University, NY, NY
Adjunct Lecturer and Assistant Teacher, 2006-present
Develop, organize, and facilitate classes for the Environmental Science and Policy MPA, as well as the Climate and Society MA Program. Classes include: Environmental Leadership (2010), Environmental Careers, An Interdisciplinary Job Panel (summer 2009), From Idea to Action-Creating Environmental Change (Summer 2009), Gender and Natural Resources (Summer 2007), Communicating Science and Policy (Summer 2007), Hydrology for Policy Students (2006/2007) and Climatology for Policy Students (2006/2007).
Lower East Side Ecology Center, NY, NY
Program Director, 2001-2010
Develop and implement city-wide environmental education programs (Climate and Energy, Water in NYC, Women’s Environmental Leadership, Waste Prevention, Sustainability and Stewardship, etc), fundraise for all education programs, partnership development with numerous schools, not-for-profits, institutions, and agencies in NYC, stewardship training, and events planning. Work also includes serving as the NYC Department of Sanitation Manhattan Compost Educator, founder and implementer of NYC’s first Women in Science, and creation of the East River Park Environmental Learning Center.
Women’s Earth Alliance, International
U.N. Liaison and Regional Coordinator, 2006-2007
Projects included the development and coordination of capacity building trainings for international women participating in United Nations-sanctioned environmental conferences, development of the organization guidelines, and representation of organizational needs/goals at United Nations conferences and meetings (www.lesecun.org).
United Nations Development Program, Mexico City, Mexico, NY, NY, and Bogotá, Colombia
Consultant, Best Practices in Water and Sanitation, Spring 2006
Working under Roberto Lenton of the UN Water and Sanitation Task Force, responsibilities included research and evaluation of local-level approached to international water and sanitation programs. Responsibilities also included coverage of the 2006 World Water Forum sessions and development of “best practices” recommendations for official UNDP publication.
Consultant, Environmental Economics Program, Latin America and the Caribbean, NY, NY, 2005
Work included research and published writing on Environmental Service Markets, particularly pertaining to water resources: Water Resource Allocation, Indigenous Knowledge, Best Practice Management, and Natural Resources and Development.
Intern, ‘Knowledge Fair on Local Governance’, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Bogotá, Colombia, 2004
Responsibilities included research into LAC local governance initiatives and outcomes, revision of technical papers, and web development.
Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy, Columbia University, NY, NY
Researcher, 2005
Focus on water allocation and management strategies in Latin America, particularly Brazil. Work is part of interdisciplinary project among many research institutes in the state of Ceará, Brazil.
Waste Free NYC/Inform, Inc., NY, NY
Waste Prevention Coordinator, 2002-2003
Responsibilities included the creation, direction, and implementation of the LES Youth Waste Prevention Program, and assistance in the coordination and implementation of Mulchfest 2003, NYC cell phone recycling programs, and numerous citywide Electronics Waste Recycling Days.
Center for Long-Term Ecological Research,Eastern Shore, VA
Research Assistant, Project: Local Wetland Ecosystem Preservation, 1999
Relevant Experience
Major Group Representative to United Nations, NY, NY
Youth
- UNFCCC COP, 2011
- Commission on Sustainable Development, 2011
Education
- UNFCCC COP, 2011
- Commission on Sustainable Development, 2011
Women
- UNFCCC COP, 2011
- Commission on Sustainable Development, 2006, 2007, 2011
NGO
- Commission on Sustainable Development, 2006, 2007, 2011
The Future in our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate Change, 2007
Million Trees Program, City of New York, NY, NY
Advisory Committee, 2009-present
Selected as Advisory Board Member for the city-wide initiative for educating about, maintaining, and planting one million trees in New York City. Serve on both the Education and Stewardship Committees of the Advisory Board.
The Climate Project, International
Official Trainee and Presenter, 2007-present
Selected out of thousands to be a global representative of Al Gore’s climate change initiative.
NYC Climate Coalition, NY, NY
Founder, 2007-present
Facilitate and house collaborative partnerships between NYC-based organizations working on issues surrounding climate change, impacts and solutions (www.nycClimate.org).
Go Green Cooking Oil Recycling Program, NY, NY
Project Leader, 2008-2010
Selected as project leader by the Manhattan Borough President’s office for the training, outreach and implementation of cooking oil recycling programs in Manhattan.
Manhattan Borough President’s Office, NY, NY
Steering Committee and Sustainable Business Subcommittee, Go Green LES, 2008-2010
Selected as committee leader for greening the Lower East Side in collaboration with a diversity of local stakeholders.
Envirolution, NY, NY
Advisory Board Member, 2008-2010
Advisor for this national network of individuals, organizations and businesses dedicated to advancing sustainability.
The White House Organic Farm Project, NY, NY
Advisory Board Member, 2008-2009
Advisor for this national project to promote local, sustainable food production.
EcoBizNYC, NY, NY
Founder, 2007-2010
Developed and implement this citywide program for promoting sustainability in small businesses. The pilot program is sponsored by Con Edison and Community Board 3. Program includes student training, free environmental consulting for businesses, and a NYC sustainability rating system.
Young Women’s Sustainability and Leadership Training, NY, NY
Founder and Director, 2006-2007
Developed and led a 9-month training for NYC-based, young women to lead research, data compilation, and develop key materials to aid international grassroots women with participation in the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-15). Topics included Water and Sanitation, Energy and Air Pollution, Climate, Industrial Development and Environmental Policy. (www.lesecun.org)
Women’s Grassroots Academy: A Preparation for the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-15)
Founder and Director, 2007
Creation and facilitation of a two-day training for women in grassroots environmental movements around the world. Mobilized numerous first-time participants from developing countries to participate in international environmental policy development. Engaged local youth in international dialogue and aid to grassroots women. Mobilized participants in the CSD to become more aware of how to negotiate the process/event through the efficient use the time and funding restrictions of grassroots women by coupling training modules with international conferences.
NY League of Conservation Voters, NY, NY
Representative to City Hall, 2003-2004
Education
Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, NY, NY
Master of Arts, Climate and Society, 2005 Graduate
Cross-discipline program in collaboration with the Earth Institute, School of International and Public Affairs, and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Research and coursework emphasized resource management, sustainable development, interactions between social and natural systems, and the impacts of climatic variability and change on water resources.
Relevant Coursework: Water Resources in Developing Countries and the Millennium Development Goals; Water and Sanitation in Complex Emergencies; International Relations of the Environment; Environmental Politics, Policy and Management; Alternative Perspectives on Developmental Economy; Managing and Adapting to Climate; Regional Climate and Climate Impacts; Climate Models and Natural/Human Systems; Dynamics of Climate Variability and Climate Change.
Master’s Thesis: Water in the Semi-Arid: Participatory Water Management in the Brazilian Northeast
A research initiative into arguments and observations from literature, research, and fieldwork concerning water management of the Brazilian Semi-Arid. It examines a sampling of management approaches, institutional development strategies, and policy development surrounding the water sector in a region plagued with water conflicts. The aim of this paper is to identify the role of the water committee within participatory water resource management in the Northeast of Brazil as well as their key successes and failures.
University of Virginia, College of Arts and Sciences, Charlottesville, VA
Bachelor of Arts with Distinction, 2001 Graduate
Interdisciplinary Distinguished Majors Program: Human Impacts on Ecosystems, emphasizing the integration of Biology, Environmental Sciences, and Anthropology. Minor: Studio Art with specialization in painting.
Honors: Dean’s List Fall 98, Fall 99, Spring 99, Fall 2000, Spring 2001.
Relevant Coursework: Ecological Issues in Global Change and Ecosystems Modeling Lab; Environmental Choices; Fundamentals of Ecology; Forest Ecology and Management and Lab; Coastal Marine Ecology, Botany and Lab; Vertebrate Biology and Lab; Coral Reef Ecology/Field Biology (location: San Salvador, The Bahamas); Animal Behavior; Intro to Biology and Lab; Evolution of International Relations; Modern Central America; Kinship Global and Local; Ecology and Society; Transforming Everyday Life in America; Time in Globalization; Literature and the Environment; Shamanism Healing; Experimental Anthropology.
Honor’s Undergraduate Thesis: Redefining Water Quality Issues in Rural Haiti
Collaborated with the Haitian Center for Development and Human Resources (CDRH), Fonkozé (rural micro-lending bank), APF (Peasant Association of Fondwa), and a Cuban/Haitian Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. Research included a diversity of local and national issues pertaining to water quality and ecological restoration. Responsibilities included water and soil analysis testing, water-source mapping, the coordination of discussion groups with local political authorities and rural workers, and leading a discussion and presentation concerning water contamination and disease as a part of the CDRH Disaster Prevention Seminar.
Fellowships and Awards
Siyanda, Global
Appointee to the Gender Experts' and Consultants'Roster, 2011-present
Network 355, Global
Women Social Entrepreneurs 2010
Honored as one of the leading, global women social entrepeneurs in sustainability.
Roger Tory Peterson Nature Education Achievement Awards Program, U.S.A.
Blanche Hornbeck Citation for Outstanding Work in Nature Education, 2009
Selected as national leader in place-based, nature-based education.
Women's Earth Alliance, Global
International Environmental Women’s Fellow, 2006
Selected as one of 30 women to participate in the International Grassroots Women Environmental Leaders Strategy Meeting in Mexico City, Mexico, as well as, serving as a representative to the Fourth World Water Forum. Served as one of the primary drafters of the Water Forum’s Women’s Caucus Declaration.
United Nations Development Program, Global
Appointee to the Gender Expert Roster, 2005-present
Appointee to the Environment Expert Roster 2006-present
Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS), Corsica, France
Summer Institute Fellow, 2005
Caribbean Studies Association 30th Annual Conference, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Invited Presenter, 2005
Subject: Empowerment and Water Resources Management--Equality, Cooperation, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean
NY Soil and Water Conservation District, NY, NY
NY Soil and Water Conservation Steward, 2001-2005
Hearst Endowment and the Earthwatch Institute, Barbados, West Indies
Earthwatch Education Fellow, Project: Hawksbill Turtles of Barbados, 2003
Focus on conflicts between coastal development, cultural traditions, and endangered species preservation.
River Rally, Stevenson, WA
Fellow, 2003
Participated in meetings with international representatives from river-related organizations, monitoring programs, educators, funders and cultural institutions.
Catskill Watershed Association, Catskills, NY
Catskill Watershed Education Fellow, 2003
Project: Issues in Sustainable Forestry and NYC Drinking Water
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Queens, NY
Grantee, 2003
Project: Science and Civics Sustaining Wildlife Workshop
NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program, Hoboken, NJ
Grantee, 2002
Project: NY/NJ Harbor Monitoring
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Alumni Association, Undergraduate Achievement Grant, 2001
Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2000
Publications
DePorte, Tara. What Is this "Clean Coal" Obama and McCain Support? Alternet, October 31, 2008.
DePorte, Tara. Why Aren't Americans Heads Over Heels for Our Environment? Alternet, October 23, 2008.
DePorte, Tara. International Human Rights and Environmental Studies, essay winner for Webster University “Year of Human Rights". "Crossing Borders”, Spring, 2009.
2008 Update on Gender and Climate Change, Chapter for the DPI/NGO Climate Report for the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
International coordinator and lead contributing author
Gender: Missing Links in Financing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, a Position Paper for UNFCCC COP 13, Bali, Indonesia, Dec2007.
International co-coordinator and lead contributing author
Women’s Major Group Statement, U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 15 Statement by Women on Energy for Sustainable Development & Statement by Women on Climate Change, May 2, 2007.
Contributing author
Women’s Major Group Statement, U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 14 Multi-stakeholder Dialogue, May 3, 2006
Contributing author
DePorte, Tara. Talk or Action at World Water Forum? AlterNet, April 22, 2006.
Women’s Caucus Statement to the 4th World Water Forum, March, 2006.
Lead contributing author
Language Skills
Fluent in French and English. Proficient in Portuguese and Spanish, reading and speaking. Basic knowledge of Dutch.
Computer Skills
Proficiency in water quality and soil monitoring. Expertise in Mac and PC, Microsoft Office, Internet navigation. Proficiency in Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
Certifications and Affiliations
Gender and Water Alliance, Gender and Diversity Network, UN Women’s Major Group, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Gender and Disaster Network, Gender and Climate Change Network, Women's Sustainable Development Network, Young Women in International Development, Step It UP!, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program Citizens Advisory Committee, NY Academy of Sciences, United Nations Volunteers Program, East River Alliance, NYC Master Composter, Foundation Center Fundraising for Nonprofits, New York State Project WILD/WET Educator, and Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology Alumni.
Personal Interests and Activities
Painting, sculpting basketball, dancing, tennis, writing, cooking, hiking, and camping.
References available upon request.
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