Crossword | Friday, May 14th, 2021
Do you have what it takes to be a Green Guardian? Test your knowledge with our environmental literacy crossword!
Author: admin
Taking Action Through Environmental Literacy
We are continuing our Green Living series this week with Part 2: 15 Actions for Green Living Checklist! In case you missed last week’s bulletin, we discussed how individual actions of environmental literacy can play a major role in the fight against climate change. Read last week’s bulletin here.
We are continuing our Green Living series this week with Part 2: 15 Actions for Green Living Checklist!
In case you missed last week’s bulletin, we discussed how individual actions of environmental literacy can play a major role in the fight against climate change. Read last week’s bulletin here.
This week, we wanted to provide a green living checklist that can serve as a guide for your green journey! From creating a greener home, implementing lifestyle changes, or actively engaging with your community, our checklist is a great place to get started as you begin acting on your environmental literacy!
Read the full article to see some Green Guardians favorites here!
Looking for some inspiration? Watch the video below:
Relevant Links
How Clean is Your Electric Vehicle?
5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog
The Natural Resources Defense Council: Guide to Talking With Kids of All Ages About Climate Change
News and Events
EECP Info Session
May 20, 2021 AEOE
Are you interested in becoming certified as an environmental educator? Considering applying to California’s Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) and want to learn more? Join our info session to hear an overview of the program. Be sure to bring your questions!
Watershed Education in our Urban Ecosystem
May 20, 2021 The Watershed Project
Our Ecosystem, Our Community: Greening Urban Watersheds is a hands-on, flexible middle school curriculum. Teachers will gain lesson plans for 5 in-class (distance or in-person) lessons and 7 homework/asynchronous assignments, details on where to obtain lesson materials, and how to teach outdoor science and support students’ mental health even from home.
Climate Champions Virtual Summit
May 22, 2021 UC San Diego Social Sciences Climate Action Lab
The session is open to all who share an interest in and commitment to climate education, including high school and college students, teachers and administrators, and community educators.
Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
May 03, 2021 The Conversation
Climate change and water scarcities are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
New Jersey Adopts Climate Change As Part Of Core Curriculum In All Public Schools
May 07, 2021 WBUR
Last year, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to require all its public schools to adopt climate change education into its curriculum.
Biden Enlists Ranchers, Indigenous Communities to Conserve 30% of Land and Water
May 10, 2021 Earth.org
The Biden administration will this week unveil a plan to conserve 30% of US lands and waters by 2030. The plan offers a strategy to encourage indigenous tribes, farmers, and ranchers to voluntarily protect land, including by enrolling territory in existing federal conservation programs and the creation of new parks near urban areas.
How global trade can save lives and livelihoods – and help protect the planet
May 12, 2021 World Economic Forum
This was the view of the panelists at the World Economic Forum’s latest Agenda Dialogues session on the Global Trade Outlook.
Living Near Fracking Wells Is Linked to Higher Rate of Heart Attacks, Study Finds
May 12, 2021 Environmental Health News
Living among fracking wells is linked to higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths due to heart attacks, according to a new study. The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Research, compared heart attack rates in Pennsylvania counties with fracking to those without.
5 easy things you can do to take some pressure off the planet
May 13, 2021 National Geographic
Look for Earth-friendly actions to take at home, from installing a water-filtering rain garden to repairing rather than replacing broken items.
New York’s Public Power Bill Could Be a Model for the Rest of the Country
May 14, 2021 Gizmodo
Two years ago, New York enshrined the most ambitious statewide climate targets in the country. The legislation, called the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, requires the state to completely decarbonize its electric grid by 2040.
Checklist | 15 Actions for Green Living
This week, we wanted to continue the conversation about acting as an environmentally literate citizen by living a greener lifestyle! From shifting to sustainable products to researching local climate issues, there are a million things you can do to transition to a greener lifestyle. To eliminate some of the stress of getting started, we have prepared a checklist that can serve as a guide for your green journey!
Need some more information before you get started? Visit last week’s blog to read more about the connection between environmental literacy and a green lifestyle.
For a Greener Home:
❑ Turn off and unplug appliances such as TVs, lamps, computers, and phones when not in use
❑ Regularly replace filters in heaters, air conditioning, and dryers
❑ Curate gardens with native plants and trees
❑ Create a compost bin and reduce food waste
❑ Buy non-toxic and plant-based cleaning products
While we encourage people to use products they are comfortable with, these are some Green Guardians favorites for a greener home: Blueland for non-toxic, plastic free home cleaning products, OhmConnect to save on energy bills and consumption, Native Plants Finder
For a Greener Lifestyle:
❑ Buy less – take a minimalist approach to purchases
❑ Read and share books on climate change and eco-living
❑ Shop locally for produce and shop second-hand for clothing and décor
❑ Drive or rent an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen car to reduce CO2 emissions
❑ Use zero-waste alternatives such as glass straws, reusable cotton rounds, and detergent
Some Green Guardians favorites for a greener lifestyle: A Better Planet: Forty Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future, Climate Change Podcasts, How to Save a Planet, Climate-Friendly Supermarkets, Loop Store, Thrift Books
For Active Engagement:
❑ Encourage schools to:
▫ Switch to solar energy
▫ Create green spaces (I.e., gardens, recycling centers)
▫ Offer plant-based meals
▫ Ditch single-use plastic
❑ Join a climate activist group such as Climate Reality and Citizen’s Climate Lobby
❑ Educate yourself and vote for candidates that have a progressive platform
❑ Create or join a sustainability/green team at your workplace or in your community
❑ Discuss green living and climate change with friends and family to encourage action
Some Green Guardians favorites for active engagement: The Natural Resources Defense Council: Guide to Talking With Kids of All Ages About Climate Change, Climate Reality Chapters, One Green Planet Petitions
Relevant Links
How Clean is Your Electric Vehicle?
Electric cars tend to produce less carbon pollution than gas-powered ones—but just how much less? This tool allows you to see how clean your electric vehicle is compared to those in your local area!
5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog
While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’.
The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future.
TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable such as chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products and create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable.
Environmental Literacy in Action
This week, we wanted to take some time to highlight how individual actions of environmental literacy can play a major role in the fight against climate change.
This week, we wanted to take some time to highlight how individual actions of environmental literacy can play a major role in the fight against climate change.
There is a common misconception that fighting climate change is too big an issue to be solved by one person. This view can often provide hesitancy from teachers to discuss climate change as an important factor in their environmental education programs. As stated in A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015),
“An environmentally literate person has the capacity to act individually and with others to support ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable communities for present and future generations.”
– A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015)
Check out this week’s article to get started on your green living journey and start putting environmental literacy into action! Read the Article
Want to see Part 2 of this series: 15 Actions for Green Living Checklist? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss it!
Relevant Links
4AIR is an aviation sustainability company assisting stakeholders in private aviation implement meaningful sustainability programs that meet and exceed industry commitments. 4AIR assists with environmental regulatory compliance and sources independent review to assure compliance with voluntary and regulatory commitments.
5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog
While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’.
The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500®—partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that protect the climate while improving air quality and protecting public health.
SunPower designs all-in-one residential and commercial solar and storage solutions backed by personal customer service and the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable. In their research, they have found that few things are beyond recycling, and have found solutions for chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products, such as working with some of the world’s biggest brands to turn ocean plastic into shampoo bottles. Or toothpaste tubes into playgrounds. They create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable.
Terrapass is dedicated to the fight against climate change. Their mission is to provide the resources necessary for companies and individuals to understand and take responsibility for their climate impact through offsetting carbon emissions.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage. To achieve a sustainable energy future, Tesla also created infinitely scalable energy products: Powerwall, Powerpack, and Solar Roof. As the world’s only vertically integrated energy company, Tesla continues to innovate, scale, and reduce the costs of commercial and grid-scale systems, with the goal of ultimately getting us to 100% renewable energy grids.
News and Events
AEOE Statewide Conference 2021
May 14 – 15, 2021, Online
The spring statewide conference is Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education’s (AEOE) signature event. The annual statewide conference brings together several hundred environmental and outdoor education professionals from across California to participate in professional learning workshops, breakout sessions, entertainment, and networking opportunities.
Children Thrive Outside
May 11, 2021, National Wildlife Federation
New America and the National Wildlife Federation are teaming up for a webinar on May 11 that will examine why investing in and supporting quality outdoor learning in early care and education should be a priority and explore how to make it a reality for all young children.
Making Environmental Education Authentic and Locally Relevant
May 15, 2021, Scientific Adventures for Girls
Learn how to set up a series of lessons where students take opposing roles and defend their position while debating the pros/cons of an environmental proposal.
Virtual Open House – Climate Change Essentials for All Educators
May 20, 2021, Presidio Graduate School
Climate Change Essentials for All Educators is a facilitated, nine-week virtual course from Presidio Graduate School designed to equip K-12 teachers with the tools to incorporate climate change education into their current curriculum—regardless of the subject area, grade level, or state standards.
Is Biden’s New Emissions Reduction Target Good Enough?
Apr. 27, 2021, Earth.org
The US aims to achieve an emissions reduction target of 50-52% from 2005 levels in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This is the new national goal declared by President Joe Biden.
NOAA’s New Climate Normals Show the U.S. Has Never Been Hotter
May 04, 2021, Gizmodo
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration want us to know it’s not the 1980s anymore. On Tuesday, it announced new 30-year averages for temperature and precipitation. Unsurprisingly, the “new normal” is hotter.
RUSD earns eight of 18 Green Ribbon Awards from the California Department of Education
May 05, 2021, IECN
Three years running! Morris Elementary School earned California Green Ribbon Schools Gold Level recognition for the third straight year when the awards were announced on April 22, 2021.
How Rap Duo EARTHGANG Is Educating Kids On Land Conservation & Inner-City Gardens
May 05, 2021, Atmos
The environmentally-conscious Atlanta rap duo are expanding their sustainability efforts beyond music and giving back to the Southwest Atlanta community.
Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know
May 05, 2021, EcoWatch
Climate change is actually not a new phenomenon. Scientists have been studying the connection between human activity and the effect on the climate since the 1800s, although it took until the 1950s to find evidence suggesting a link.
Greening California Starts With Motor Vehicles
May 06, 2021, Sierra
No other state stood up to Donald Trump as much and as often as California. The nation’s wealthiest and most populous state sued Trump and his administration 110 times.
The government has pledged over $800m to fight natural disasters. It could be revolutionary — if done right
May 06, 2021, The Conversation
To help Australia adapt to climate change and manage the disasters that come with it, the federal government this week pledged A$600 million towards establishing the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and $210 million for the Australian Climate Service initiative.
Crossword | Friday, May 7th, 2021
Do you have what it takes to be a Green Guardian? Test your knowledge with our environmental literacy crossword!
Green Living to Combat Climate Change
As we look at ways to advance environmental literacy for students across the nation, climate change is at the front of many students’ minds. However, most teachers don’t teach climate change, either because they feel that climate change is too daunting to discuss in the classroom, or that it doesn’t apply to their subject matter (NPR/Ipsos 2019). Many others see the large systems issues that need addressing and identify them as being too big to confront individually. But students want to be educated about these issues and want to learn how they can make a difference. Think about it, each person making one small act could equal 7 billion actions to fight climate change! By taking the step to learn more as an individual – whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or policy-maker – you can increase the momentum for change wherever you reside. No matter how big or small your actions are, each step towards a more sustainable lifestyle can make a difference in the fight against climate change and the advancement of environmental literacy for all citizens of the world.
“An environmentally literate person has the capacity to act individually and with others to support ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable communities for present and future generations.”
– A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015)
The climate crisis is an omnipresent issue in our world today. From global temperatures rising to an influx of natural disasters, people across the world are experiencing the devastating effects of human contribution to our environment. It can be overwhelming to find a way to reverse or lessen the effects of climate change in our daily lives, so we wanted to share some ways that individuals can make a difference through sustainable changes in their routines.
One of the easiest ways to get started on your green living journey is by minimizing your use of single-use plastics. Items such as plastic water bottles or grocery bags are often used out of convenience, but utilizing items such as reusable bottles or bags is a simple way to encourage businesses to stop supplying single-use plastics as well as limiting personal use of these items. Items such as personal care products, toys, and home cleaning products also fall into the “single-use” plastic category, so if alternatives are not easily accessible, using resources such as Terracycle’s Free Recycling programs that partner with notable brands (Hasbro Toy, Burt’s Bees, Colgate, and many more!) is a great way to get started. It’s as easy as printing out one of their free shipping labels and using an old package mailer or box lying around the house to ship them to the recycling centers that can easily process the materials.
Everyone has heard that swapping to reusable materials is always a good way to transition to a green lifestyle, but did you know that you can swap out items in your home for ones that are more energy-efficient and cost-effective? For example, you can replace incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LED bulbs. You can also swap out older appliances and buy Energy Star models, running them during non-peak hours to save on your monthly bill! Another option if you are in the process of looking for a new home or renovating your current home, is to insulate your home and install double-pane windows. This allows for heat-loss prevention and can lower your overall heating bills.
Making all of these changes to alternative, eco-friendly products is necessary for the future of our planet, but having a green lifestyle is one that supports organizations and continuous learning about how our actions can contribute to climate change. Encouraging your local businesses to support and stock green products or serve more plant-based meals is a fun way to start conversations and educate others about the climate crisis. You can also create conversations in the workplace about divesting from fossil fuel companies and investing in renewable energy companies such as SunPower or Tesla. You can buy carbon offsets when traveling by plane, ship, or rental car through Terrapass or 4AIR to make your commute more climate-friendly. All of these small actions add up, especially when we share our thoughts and concerns with others. The company we keep usually shares the same values, it just takes one person to start a conversation and inspire change!
If you want to continue learning and become an advocate for green living, it’s important to seek out information about climate solutions as well as green practices happening in your local community! Check out the list of resources below, and feel free to share this article with a friend to get them started on their green lifestyle journey!
Want to learn more about supporting a green lifestyle and advancing environmental literacy? Join our newsletter!
Relevant Links
4AIR is an aviation sustainability company assisting stakeholders in private aviation implement meaningful sustainability programs that meet and exceed industry commitments. 4AIR assists with environmental regulatory compliance and sources independent review to assure compliance with voluntary and regulatory commitments.
5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog
While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’.
The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500®—partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that protect the climate while improving air quality and protecting public health.
SunPower designs all-in-one residential and commercial solar and storage solutions backed by personal customer service and the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable. In their research, they have found that few things are beyond recycling, and have found solutions for chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products, such as working with some of the world’s biggest brands to turn ocean plastic into shampoo bottles. Or toothpaste tubes into playgrounds. They create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable.
Terrapass is dedicated to the fight against climate change. Their mission is to provide the resources necessary for companies and individuals to understand and take responsibility for their climate impact through offsetting carbon emissions.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage. To achieve a sustainable energy future, Tesla also created infinitely scalable energy products: Powerwall, Powerpack, and Solar Roof. As the world’s only vertically integrated energy company, Tesla continues to innovate, scale, and reduce the costs of commercial and grid-scale systems, with the goal of ultimately getting us to 100% renewable energy grids.
Crossword | Friday, April 30th, 2021
Do you have what it takes to be a Green Guardian? Test your knowledge with our environmental literacy crossword!
Creating Conversations in Your Community
This week, we wanted to make environmental literacy activities accessible to all who wish to promote environmental education at home and throughout their communities!
This week, we wanted to make environmental literacy activities accessible to all who wish to promote environmental education at home and throughout their communities!
The easiest way to advance environmental literacy at home is by simply going outside! By exploring the outdoors and encouraging green practices at home, families can spark conversations that advance environmental literacy and help families better understand their connection to the natural world around them – one of the core goals of environmental literacy!
If you are looking to incorporate environmentally literate activities at home in your community, look no further! Read this week’s article to get started today!
Relevant Links
Calculate your Carbon Footprint with Global Footprint Network
Humans use as many ecological resources as if we lived on 1.6 Earths. The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that compares the resource demand of individuals, governments, and businesses against Earth’s capacity for biological regeneration. Calculate your Carbon Footprint today!
Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. iNaturalist shares your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.
Online Activity Guides | National Parks Service
With scavenger hunts, word games, matching pictures, and more, you can find Junior Ranger activities online. The National Park Service is building this page with more fun stuff, so check back often to see which parks add more activities to this page.
Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.
Find a National Park in Your Community
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
California parks include California State Parks, National Parks, and local community-operated city and community parks. There’s lots of “parking” going on at these natural assets that locals need for healthy living and tourists come to see their amazing attractions such as the world’s tallest trees, the world’s oldest tree, the world’s biggest tree, and much more.
TerraCycle® is a social enterprise Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. In 21 countries, they tackle the issue from many angles. They have found that nearly everything we touch can be recycled and collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms.
News and Events
Environmental Education Webinars – Deepening Sense of Place: First People
May 12, 2021 Humboldt County Office of Education
This series of monthly PD webinars for teachers combine presentations from expert scientists conducting research in our own “backyards” with grade-level teaching resources to help students better understand WHERE they live — to Deepen their Sense of Place.
The Environmental Justice Exchange: Planning the Future of Little Village.
May 14, 2021 Chicago Sun-Times
Join us for an in-depth look at the planning and development of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side following the recent one-year anniversary of the Crawford smokestack implosion debacle.
Annual Spring Statewide Conference 2021
May 14-15, 2021 AEOE
The spring statewide 2021 conference includes workshops on a wide variety of topics, keynote address, evening entertainment, plenary session, presentations by our Environmental Educator Certification Program participants, and an awards ceremony celebrating the Environmental Education Organization of the Year and the Howard Bell lifetime award.
The Recycling Industry in America Is Broken
Apr. 20, 2021 EcoWatch
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. According to The National Museum of American History, this popular slogan, with its iconic three arrows forming a triangle, embodied a national call to action to save the environment in the 1970s.
Environmental Racism Is Everybody’s Problem — Here Are 5 Ways to Fight It Right Now
Apr. 22, 2021 Apartment Therapy
Natural resources, such as water and even the very air we breathe in this country are a matter of inequality — and this has become a matter of life and death.
Brenda Mallory to take environmental policy in a new direction
Apr. 22, 2021 Roll Call
The former general counsel of the White House Council on Environmental Quality becomes the first African American to lead the agency.
For young climate activists, the pandemic is the defining moment for action
Apr. 23, 2021 National Geographic
Can the urgent global response to COVID-19 be repeated to address climate change? Youth activists think it can.
The Leaders’ Summit on Climate 2021: A Summary
Apr. 26, 2021 Earth.org
On April 22 and 23, US President Joe Biden brought together 40 world leaders in a virtual Leaders’ Summit on Climate to rally the world in tackling the climate crisis. The US announced that it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the end of the decade.
Brazil’s President Bolsonaro Pledges to End Deforestation — Then Cuts Environmental Budget
Apr. 26, 2021 Green Matters
On Earth Day (April 22, 2021), President Joe Biden held a historical climate summit, where he vowed to cut the country’s emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030. This inspired a handful of leaders from other countries…
Two Cheers for California’s Fracking Ban
Apr. 28, 2021 Sierra
Last Friday, when California governor Gavin Newsom directed state regulators to begin a process of ending new permits for hydrofracturing in 2024, it seemed like a reason for environmentalists to celebrate.
Environmental Literacy in your Green Community
When we think about environmental literacy, we think of classroom lessons and outdoor field trips. But environmental literacy can be practiced outside of educational settings, specifically at home in your community! According to Jason Morris, the Senior Program Officer for Environmental Education at Pisces Foundation…
When we think about environmental literacy, we think of classroom lessons and outdoor field trips. But environmental literacy can be practiced outside of educational settings, specifically at home in your community! According to Jason Morris, the Senior Program Officer for Environmental Education at Pisces Foundation, the 3 key components of a strong environmental education ecosystem are experiences at school, experiences in programs, and experiences at home and in local communities. By implementing green practices at home, families can spark conversations that advance environmental literacy and help them better understand their connection to the natural world around them – one of the core goals of environmental literacy! If you are looking to incorporate environmentally literate activities at home in your community, look no further.
One of the easiest ways to advance environmental literacy at home in your local community is to get outside! Exploring your neighborhood is a great way to discover the positive environmental practices already occurring within your community. Keep an eye out for community gardens, monarch butterfly waystations, and local trails and parks – these sustainable living locations can become the catalyst for your neighborhood to transition into a greener community.
As you explore your neighborhood, take note of the natural flora and fauna you witness. Encourage children or other family members to carry a nature notebook – capturing their thoughts about the butterflies they see, what flowers they land on, the colors of their wings – taking notes about experiences in your community is a great way for children to relate to the natural world around them. Apps such as iNaturalist, allow explorers to act as citizen scientists, capturing images of the plants and animals they see in their communities to help naturalists identify and protect the many plant species we have on our planet. Joining a network like iNaturalist is an easy and exciting way to get involved in your community, learn about your surroundings, and continue conversations about the environment outside the classroom.
Another way to encourage environmentally literate members of your community is through utilizing public transportation or taking a bike ride to the grocery store! When taking these alternative forms of transportation, you can start a conversation with your family about how you have lowered your carbon footprint and how the environment benefits from these small acts. Bike riding and using public transportation is also a great way to explore new areas of your community that you may usually avoid due to busy parking lots, fares for parking garages, or ease of accessibility. Creating a neighborhood carpool group is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint while also bringing environmental literacy practices to more families in your community.
A fun and tangible way to introduce environmental practices into everyday home life is to introduce recycling processes into everyday actions. Take a look at your community’s recycling policies: Do they separate plastics? Do they accept glass? If you start a conversation at home about how you can improve your community’s recycling policies, families and neighbors can come together to write a letter to local governments to update policies in a way that best fits the needs of your community. You can also introduce programs such as Terracycle, which utilizes school recycling centers and encourage recycling through a school rewards program!
There are many ways to incorporate environmental literacy activities at home in your community. Creating exciting conversations surrounding actions and observations in your neighborhood is a great way for children to actualize the way their experiences are a part of the natural world. Children are more likely to connect with the natural elements around them when they are introduced to practices at home and in their local community, as well as in the classroom. Learn more about how you can take action and support the advancement of environmental literacy among children in your community through the links below.
Relevant Links
Calculate your Carbon Footprint with Global Footprint Network
Humans use as many ecological resources as if we lived on 1.6 Earths. The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that compares the resource demand of individuals, governments, and businesses against Earth’s capacity for biological regeneration. Calculate your Carbon Footprint today!
Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. iNaturalist shares your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.
Online Activity Guides | National Parks Service
With scavenger hunts, word games, matching pictures, and more, you can find Junior Ranger activities online. The National Park Service is building this page with more fun stuff, so check back often to see which parks add more activities to this page.
Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.
Find a National Park in Your Community
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
California parks include California State Parks, National Parks, and local community-operated city and community parks. There’s lots of “parking” going on at these natural assets that locals need for healthy living and tourists come to see their amazing attractions such as the world’s tallest trees, the world’s oldest tree, the world’s biggest tree, and much more.
TerraCycle® is a social enterprise Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. In 21 countries, they tackle the issue from many angles. They have found that nearly everything we touch can be recycled and collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms.
Exploring New Horizons | AEOE Member Feature
This week kicks off the first of our California Association of Environmental & Outdoor Education (AEOE) Member features on our blog with Exploring New Horizons! AEOE’s mission is “to advance the impact of environmental and outdoor education in California.”
This week kicks off the first of our California Association of Environmental & Outdoor Education (AEOE) Member features on our blog with Exploring New Horizons! AEOE’s mission is “to advance the impact of environmental and outdoor education in California.”
Exploring New Horizons is an outdoor education program that was founded as a nonprofit in 1979. Its mission is to empower students, build environmental literacy, and strengthen school communities through residential and environmental education.
As an organizational member of AEOE, and a partner on the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub, Exploring New Horizons has been a leader in providing environmental literacy and education programs to students throughout the Monterey Bay and San Francisco areas. Nonprofit organizations such as Exploring New Horizons rely on the support of their community to provide high-quality and affordable educational programs that meet NGSS and common core standards.
Read more about Exploring New Horizons here!
Watch the interview highlight with Jacob Sackin, Executive Director of Exploring New Horizon’s below:
If you are a teacher, parent, or guardian looking to get involved with an outdoor education program like Exploring New Horizons, visit the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub and find partners and programs near you: CAELI Community Based Partner Hub
Philanthropic support is also a great way to get involved with nonprofits like ENH, so if you are an individual donor or a local foundation or corporation interested in funding opportunities, please visit: Support Exploring New Horizons!
Relevant Links
Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education | California AEOE
As the professional association for environmental and outdoor education in California, AEOE provides programs and practitioners with the tools, resources, and expertise to ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to develop lifelong connections to the natural world and the commitment to sustain it.
California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)
CAELI, led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students.
Environmental Education Equity | Exploring New Horizons
Exploring New Horizons seeks support to serve more lower-income schools, to continue providing affordable rates and scholarships to participating schools, and to provide professional learning for our staff on equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Loma Mar Program | Exploring New Horizons
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Loma Mar takes a hands-on, experiential approach to science education, and focuses on adventure, self-discovery, and environmental stewardship. Located in the Pescadero Creek watershed near Memorial and Pescadero Creek County Parks, students learn about how they are connected to the natural world while exploring the Oak and Redwood Forest. Each evening activity finishes with songs and stories around the campfire.
Pigeon Point Program | Exploring New Horizons
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Pigeon Point is based at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park with accommodations provided by Hostelling International. Pigeon Point is located on the Pacific Ocean, 50 miles south of San Francisco, and 20 miles north of Santa Cruz. The Pigeon Point program offers a unique opportunity for students to learn more about themselves as well as the natural world that surrounds them.
Sempervirens Program | Exploring New Horizons
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Sempervirens takes a hands-on, experiential approach to science education, and focuses on adventure, self-discovery, and environmental stewardship. Students explore the coastal ecosystems, the Oak, Madrone, and Redwood Forest, and each evening activity finishes with songs and stories around the campfire.
Ten Strands weaves stakeholders and strategies together into strong, focused education partnerships, with the goal of raising environmental literacy by providing high-quality environment-based learning and hands-on education to all California K–12 students. Ten Strands acts as an incubator and a catalyst to create collaborations, build capacity, and transform systems to increase their impact and sustainability.
News and Events
CLIC Project-Climate Change & History
Apr. 28, 2021 SF Bay Area
Join to access resources for in-person and remote teaching and learning, network with grade-level teachers from in the Bay Area and earn a CEU for attendance at all 4 sessions. Free for educators.
Supporting Student Resilience by Using Outdoor Spaces for Learning and Play
Apr. 28, 2021 California Department of Education
In this two-part webinar series, the founding partners of the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative will share resources and ideas related to the benefits of using the abundant fresh air and access to nature to reduce virus transmission and improve students’ physical and mental health and well-being, learning, and play during the pandemic and beyond.
Assessing Connecting to Nature
Apr. 29, 2021 AEOE
Join for a 2-hour workshop diving into the Practitioner’s Guide to Assessing Connection to Nature, a new guidebook for helping you measure this elusive concept with young children, teenagers, or adults.
For girls, learning science outside linked to better grades, knowledge
Apr. 06, 2021 Science X
In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers found that an outdoor science program was linked to higher average science grades and an increase in a measure of science knowledge for a group of fifth grade girls in North Carolina.
Passing the Clean School Bus Act can help protect our children’s health and our planet
Apr. 16, 2021 The Hill
Every day, 26 million children ride on school buses. The central promise of our busing system is simple: Your children will have a free and safe ride to school. But that promise comes with a significant caveat.
Whatever Climate Change Does to the World, Cities Will Be Hit Hardest
Apr. 19, 2021 Bloomberg Green
More than half of humanity is crowded together in cities. That’s about 4 billion people living on top of one another, working, commuting, polluting, and figuring out how to survive. And that proportion will only rise…
It’s time to collaborate on climate and economic justice solutions
Apr. 19, 2021 GreenBiz
Air pollution has grave consequences — the World Health Organization estimates it kills 7 million people a year. Indeed, recent research suggests closer to 9 million people died from exposure to air pollution…
Humans haven’t always wrecked the environment
Apr. 19, 2021 Popular Science
It’s only been in the last few hundred years that we’ve started destroying land.
Why Schools Should Be the Center of a Green New Deal
Apr. 19, 2021 Gizmodo
One of the main things Terriq Thompson remembers about Benjamin Franklin High School, where he graduated in 2019, is that it was hot…
Earth Day 2021: Moms become climate activists as they worry about the Earth their kids will inherit
Apr. 20, 2021 GMA
Brooke Petry is a self-described introvert who says she never imagined herself on the front lines of tackling the global crisis of climate change.