'Tis the season for many things, as it always is at this time of year - not just celebrating and shopping, but looking back and taking stock.  This has been an interesting year for ASEH, in every sense of the word, from the straightforward definition offered by the OED - "having the qualities which rouse curiosity, engage attention, or appeal to the emotions" - to the alternative insinuated by the allegedly ancient Chinese curse "may you live in interesting times." (Google suggests that this curse can only be traced back to American social scientists in the 1930s with any confidence.)

Interesting in the first sense has been the transition - or transitions - of our journal. Oxford University Press has been publishing Environmental History and managing most of our memberships (except joint ASEH-FHS members) for the past year. In addition, Marc Cioc is completing a very successful term as editor. Nancy Langston will replace him in the new year; as is usual, a new editor means changes in the editorial board. Similarly interesting is the new ASEH website, the result of a long process of planning and design, which will be unveiled in a few weeks. Preparing for our next annual meeting has been interesting in the second sense. Even without unanticipated difficulties, organizing the annual meeting is a huge and complicated task. And there are always unanticipated difficulties - so the fact of difficulty can actually be predicted; it is just the source that is a mystery. Past challenges have emanated, for example, from malign computer systems and inclement weather; this year's challenge was provided by the government of Arizona.

Whichever denotation of "interesting" applies, the word often also connotes "requires a lot of work." Each of these accomplishments depended on generous contributions of time and energy by volunteer members. The decision to transfer the journal to a professional publisher, and the subsequent selection of Oxford University Press required careful deliberation; complex negotiations then preceded the actual transition. A committee oversaw the selection of a new editor, and another committee has worked patiently with the designer of our incipient new website. Every annual meeting is the product of hardworking program and local arrangements committees. In addition, preparation for the forthcoming meeting has benefitted greatly from the informal advice of members particularly concerned with the special issues it presents.

Of course, these occasional or one-time tasks are not the only - or even the major - opportunities for member volunteers. The routine business of the society is carried on by a number of standing committees, which are listed on our website. As President and Vice President of ASEH, one of my responsibilities has been to invite people to serve on these committees. (In deciding whom to approach, I have valued the advice of Lisa Mighetto, the executive director of ASEH. If you would like to serve on a committee please contact her at director@aseh.net.) I am grateful to everyone who has accepted my invitations over the past four years, for both their willingness and their work.

Harriet Ritvo, President

http://www.epa.state.il.us/environmental-justice/advisory-group.html

Funding Available for Environmental History of World War II Activities in Pacific Island National Park Units: Phase 1

 
Several years ago, ASEH entered a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service (NPS), which allows us to partner on a variety of projects, including the workshop on the national parks that we organized earlier this year in Portland, Oregon. Under this agreement, the NPS has funded two positions, which we are now seeking to fill:

(1) a researcher/writer

2) a graduate student assistant

The objective of this project is to examine World War II activities in the national parks in Hawaii that are not already dedicated to World War II interpretation and commemoration. A number of parks in Hawaii, including Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala, include remnants of the war years that require historical context for national register nominations and for interpretation. Resources such as the Volcano House, military camps and dormitories, radar stations, and airstrips reflect activities significant to the nation's heritage.

Environmental history provides a unique lens for examining the ways in which the military utilized these resources - and the natural setting in which they were constructed - as part of the war effort. This history will provide the details of construction over time, explaining where and when military installations were built, while also analyzing how they affected the landscape over time. The intersection of the natural and built environments is crucial to this study, as geophysical features of the Pacific islands influenced the types of military installations constructed and their placement. Accordingly, our researchers will document how the U.S. military viewed the park lands and the natural setting during the war years (1941-1945), and how construction both changed the landscape and was influenced by it.

Another goal of this project is to bring together NPS staff and environmental historians for discussions about how environmental history can inform and enhance interpretation of national park resources.

This project is conceptualized in two phases, dependent on annual appropriations.  Phase 1 involves the initiation of the project, including the collaboration on the history's work plan, followed by preparation of research design, records search, preparation of a detailed chapter outline and bibliography, preparation of two chapters, and two presentations: one to NPS staff in Hawaii and if appropriate, one at the University of Hawaii. Phase 2 involves the preparation of the rest of the narrative, including editing, reviewing and revising drafts, and printing.

Phase 1 of the project will include $15,000 for the researcher/writer and $12,000 for the graduate student assistant, plus expenses for travel and research. While much of the research can be completed during the summer of 2011, the first two chapters will be due by December 31, 2011. The remaining chapters will be completed during Phase 2, pending additional funding. The researcher/writer and graduate student assistant must have experience in two of the following areas: environmental history, military history, and the history of the Pacific Islands. Familiarity with National Park Service history and demonstrated ability to research and write will also be considered strengths for this project.

To apply for either position, please e-mail the following materials to director@aseh.net:

·        cover letter clearly indicating which position you seek and briefly explaining how your research interests relate to this project

·        two-page c.v.

·        relevant writing sample (need not be from a published work)

·        names and phone numbers of three references

Deadline for applications: January 28, 2011. Recipients will be selected and informed by February 14, 2011.