Champions of the Environment – Year End Celebration

HONORABLE MENTION AT THE YEAR END CHAMPIONS BANQUET

And the press release from last year:

Champions of the Enviroment 2008

Earth Day Birthday

What a great turnout at the Earth Day Celebration at the Museum. We had the best time watching the children make flowers out of outdated and discarded catalogs.

Packing a Waste Free Lunch in Style

Please click the link below to order your Laptop Lunch Kit.

Earth Day 2009

The first Earth Day was commemorated on April 22nd, 1970, bringing together for the first time various groups involved in helping to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Although we have made great strides in cleaning up pollution, preventing new pollution, and helping to conserve and protect our air and water, we need to continue this stewardship in order to maintain a healthy environment for current and future generations.

We can make “Earth Day Every Day” by doing some simple things in our daily lives that help save energy, save the environment and save money, too!

• If you have a choice, use the range top instead of the oven – it saves energy.
• Don’t boil water in an open pan; it lets heat escape.
• Washing dishes by hand uses less water than using the dishwasher, as long as you don’t leave the water running while you rinse. Use the dishwasher sparingly, and only when full. Allow the dishes to air-dry in the dishwasher, saving half the cost per load.
• Washing clothes in cold water can save about $80 per year per family of four. (Some items may still need hot water.)
• Separate dryer loads into fast and slow-drying items and keep the lint screen clean – these steps reduce the amount of energy flow needed.
• Set hot water heater temperature between 120 and 140 degrees.
• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Shop for new appliances based on low energy use.
• Drive cars that use less gasoline and are fuel-efficient.

Other things to do around the house to protect our air and water quality are:

Avoid the use of harsh chemicals, cleaning products, and solvents. Look for safer alternatives. They’re better for the environment and your kids. The American Lung Association notes there has been a 56% increase in asthma between 1979 and 1993. About 1/3 of the cases are children under 18 years of age. They note that triggers for asthma are often things which also pollute our outdoor and indoor environments. They suggest the following ideas for reducing asthma/allergy triggers: Reduce exposure to tobacco and wood smoke, perfume and scented cosmetics, strong fumes from cleaning products and home repair products, including room deodorizers, cleaning solvents, paint and paint thinners, furniture polish, etc. Call 1-800-lung-usa for more information.

• Plan shopping trips to reduce the number of car trips you take to the same place.
• Buying products in bulk often reduces costs and cuts down on packaging that goes to landfills.
• Mulch your grass when cutting. This helps fertilize the lawn instead of going to a landfill.
• Plant trees in your neighborhood. They provide shade in summer and a wind barrier in winter. They also clean the air, provide shelter for animals, soften noise, and beautify the community.

Tips for greening your home!

Video for the kiddos.

National EE Week: How will you celebrate?

We have joined as a partner with National EE Week. National Environmental Education Week is the single largest organized environmental education event in the United States. EE Week increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of environmentally-themed lessons and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. Over the span of EE Week 2008 the combined efforts of nearly 1,850 schools, nature centers, museums, zoos, and other educational institutions taught millions of students about the importance of caring for our natural environment.

Many thanks to our friends: Rock Hill Parks & Recreation Environmental Educators!

Connecting With the Natural World

PROJECT GO GREEN @ FREEDOM MONTESSORI