Eco Experience

Eco /ˈēkō/ adjective; not harming the environment; eco-friendly

Volume 11, January 2022

Eco Tips and More

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Here's to the joy and excitement of new beginnings. It's the time of year to reflect, let go and set goals. Perhaps you have identified a small shift you'd like to make toward eco-friendly practices. (See below for ideas. 🌎🌏🌍) Let me know how I can support you. Small shifts, make a big difference.

May you go well into the next phase of SY 21/22. ~Tana

In this issue:

• 11 Tips for a Greener New Year
• 4J Climate Justice High School Students Speak on the City Club Radio Show-January 7th
• Yale Science of Well Being-Free Course
• World Athletics Championships Oregon22- “Making Tracks”
  
• STEM teaching tools #12
• The Crayfish Study
• The Oregon I AM-video
• SHIFT-Small Shifts, Big Difference
• Join the 4J Climate Justice Team
• Climate on your mind?
• New Year Reads
• Sites: SPLASH!, 4J/EEP, The Salmon Spot

—T.S. Eliot

1. Ditch the disposables.

Reuse is Queen! Bring your own bag, water bottle, coffee cup... everywhere you go. Go next level- include utensils and a cloth napkin.

2. Start "composting" today.

Get yourself a kitchen "compost" container and utilize the Love Food Not Waste curbside service. This is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce green house gas emissions.

3. Goodnight computer.

Save energy by shutting down your laptop or putting it in sleep mode when it isn't in use.

4. Think globally, buy locally.

Buy locally grown food that's in season. Food is fresher and tastier, when it hasn't traveled thousands of miles to your plate. Also, buying local food dramatically cuts down on transportation pollution.

5. Drip, drip, drip...

Fix leaky faucets. A faucet that drips once each second can waste over 8 gallons of water per day and more than 3,000 gallons per year.

6. Get grounded.

Coffee isn't just for drinking. The next time you brew coffee at home, don't toss the used coffee grounds into the trash. Spoon some warm grounds into your hands and mix it with your favorite hand soap, then scrub away. The grounds will exfoliate dead skin and the soap will leave your hands soft and clean. Next level-scatter remaining grounds around your evergreen shrubs and trees as a fertilizer or add to your kitchen "compost".

7. Be kind to your ride.

To increase the efficiency of your vehicle, inflate your car tires once a month, or as necessary, regularly replace the air filter and tune up your engine and slow down to enjoy the scenery. Believe it our not, a new air filter can get you 10% more miles per gallon, a tune-up can boost mpg up to 40% and going the speed limit can reduce gas consumption by about 15%. Let it at home...bike, walk or carpool.

8. Dress like an onion.

Save on energy consumption, as well as money on your electric bill by turning down your thermostat. Layer like an onion in your coziest clothes to stay warm...you can always add or shed a layer.

9.Turn all of your hangers backwards.

Turn all of your hangers backwards each season. When the season changes, donate anything unworn to a local thrift shop...or do a clothes sway with friends!

10.Eco-clean. Clean your home and classroom with non-toxic and natural cleaning products. Just about anything can be cleaned with white vinegar, baking soda and a few drops of lemon.

11. Meatfree (and dairy, too) Mondays...and Beyond.

Eating a meat free diet is the number one carbon emissions strategy. The meat and dairy industry produces five times as many carbon emissions as the entire transportation sector! It may sound difficult and you may say, but I love my meat... however, if every person on the planet that consumes meat and dairy on the regular took one day off a week for the rest of their lives...do the math.

For more check out: World Wildlife Federations Green Tips

Students from Eugene School District 4J’s four high schools are leading the way on environmental stewardship.

Effective environmental stewardship—like most complex civic activities—relies on knowing how the patterns and substance of everyday life contribute to good practice. Public education has always played a role in building the knowledge and skills among ordinary people, to develop their competence in nurturing healthy communities. But students have not always been part of the curriculum design team. This program will show how times are changing.

The 4J Climate Justice Team is a network of students and staff across district. The team’s goal is implementing PK-12 climate education in schools within 4J, with a broader aim of sharing successful strategies statewide. They are currently focusing on ways to infuse climate education into existing K-12 curriculum across subjects, as well as ways to bring sustainable practices to all buildings in the district. https://cityclubofeugene.org/

The Yale Science of Well Being is a free course that begins today, January 3. This course was one of the keys to my survival during Covid. I highly recommend it! While it begins today, you have all week to get going and the rewirements you will be involved in over the weeks ahead can and will change your life.

"In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life."

The local organizing committee for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 has launched “Making Tracks”, its free youth engagement program. Making Tracks invites K-12 youth to be a part of the history, cultural diversity, global unity, and excitement of the world coming to Oregon for the World Athletics Championships in July 2022! The Making Tracks digital platform features free and easily accessible engagement resources designed for educators, youth program leaders, youth coaches, and parents. On the website you’ll find a collection of information, lesson plan ideas, and activities that explore the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and the sport of track and field through a variety of subject areas. Register for free access today to start exploring the content available now and to get set for additional content, community challenges, contests, and in-person youth activations coming in 2022. Learn more and register now here.

STEM Teaching Tools- # 12

Scientific literacy involves understanding global climate change & what people can do about it.

Read about what the issue is, why it matters to you, things to consider and some questions to ponder.

To dig in further: STEM Teaching Tools Climate Learning

FREE: Investigating Crayfish Live Online Training - April 24th, 9:00 - 1:30, and May 1st, 1:00 - 2:00

The River Mile is offering an upcoming opportunity to learn more about the Crayfish Study. and the educational resources and opportunities available.

Learn to engage grade 2-12 students in fascinating crayfish studies in this hands-on training. Gain the confidence to participate with The River Mile Network’s Crayfish Study to support important research by scientists and wildlife managers.Purpose of the Crayfish Study.

– JRR Tolkien

― Desmond Tutu

-Italian Proverb

Tana Shepard aka Eco Chick

TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation

Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533