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Eco Experience

with Eco Chick

EcoExperiencewith Eco Chick

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

Volume 6, June 2021

Summer Eco Tips and More

"I am Summer, come to lure you away from your computer, come dance on my fresh grass, dig your toes into my beaches."

-Oriana Green

Summer...sweet summer!

Here we are, the end of school year 2020/21 and a much needed summer break is within our sights. In case no one has told you lately, you are AWESOME! Way to work hard, try new things and come out on the other side. (insert: elbow bump)


This is the last issue of Eco Experience for the year and summer in the Eco World has some special considerations. So, I am including a few of my top summertime tips for shifting your summer. I encourage you to unplug and get outside as much as possible! We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world- take in the wonder and majesty of this amazing planet we share together.


I am looking forward to what 2021/22 may hold for all of us. Forecasting to fall for the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership...salmon studies, food waste for elementary, 4J Climate Justice Team. Stay tuned-more in August.


Be well.

Tana Shepard aka Eco Chick

End of year classroom/school discard...when in doubt, find out or throw it out, people!

As an elementary classroom teacher and my building Eco Leader for 15 years, the end of year waste has always mind boggled me! Schools throw away so much stuff! We often feel guilty, so we may put all kinds of things into the commingle recycling bins hoping somehow they will be recycled. It is complicated!


As you close out and clean up your classrooms and spaces each year, consider sorting items into various donation piles, for yourself; or work together in your building to help keep usable items out of the landfill. It may feel like it takes longer, but believe me, it will feel really good after making the donations.


My sorting includes:


  • Storing and Reusing-try to reuse as much as possible! Kids don't care if things are brand new or what theme you did last year! Reuse is one of the biggest resource savers.
  • Materials exchange in staff room or other common area-free pile awesomeness, anything leftover donated
  • Gather single sided paper (ssp) for next year-always use the other side of paper, (unless confidential info) it is great for rough drafts, doodling, scratch paper...having a dedicated ssp bin and teaching students how it works saves so much paper with miscopies, etc.
  • MECCA-school supplies, art supplies...more
  • St. Vincent dePaul or other donation facility-games, books, toys, lost and found, etc
  • BRING- furniture items
  • Next Step-broken or working electronic items, cords, etc
  • Recycling in the commingle bins. (Lane County Recycling Guide)
  • Trash-unwanted laminated items, glued/glittered/etc things, anything that doesn't fit in the categories above


We can waste less resources and put a stop to "wishful recycling", by understanding what can and can't go into the commingle bins, as well as reusing, exchanging and donating items.


Always remember, no matter what you choose to do, when in doubt, find out or throw it out.

"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Hi-Let's Shift.

Engage, Eugene!


With The Shift Campaign, let's shift the conversation towards sustainable living and mindful consumption to highlight ways we can all do our part to meet our climate recovery goals.


We all have a role to play in protecting our planet for future generations to come. So...you can take an Ecochallenge-

Shift your ride, Shift your meal, shift your bin...and more.


Ready to do your part?

Small Shifts, Big Impact.

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Secure your load for cleaner roads!

June 7th is National Secure Your Load Day


Don't be an unintentional litter bug-secure your load. Road debris is not only unsightly, but it can be dangerous to other drivers. Most roadside trash is not intentionally thrown out of our vehicles-it is more likely blown out by wind. Tips


Always check the floorboards of your vehicle-with windows down, lightweight items can fly out with the wind

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Plastic Free July

Choose to Refuse one single use plastic item.


Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste!

Plastic Fee July is a global movement that helps million of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution-so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.


Will you be part of the Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?


For more information: Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July - Take the Challenge

"Gardening requires a lot of water. Most of it in the form of perspiration."

Lou Erikson
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It Pays to Water Wisely

People waste water; plants don’t. Water is wasted when it is applied too rapidly and runs off rather than soaking in or is applied to bare soil surfaces and evaporates.


Here is a helpful graphic from the OSU extension service to help you make the most of your water.

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Save Money and Help the Planet with Sustainable Garden Practices

In a world of increasing climate change and the invasion of more exotic insects and pests, sustainable gardening is more important than ever.

Click here for the full article with tips to help you make small shifts in your garden to help the planet.

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Saving Water outside the home

We can all do our part to lessen the affects of limited water supplies this summer. We can start conserving water today!


Here is a helpful pdf with many tips for saving water outside your home.


My favorite:

Use a broom and a bucket

"Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better."

-Albert Einstein
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Tool Sharing-It's a thing!

Literally, check it out. The ToolBox Project is a volunteer-driven tool-lending library open to residents of Lane County, Oregon. We share home and garden tools with our community so we can all build and grow together.


Library Hours:
Tuesday: 5-7 PM
Thursday: 5-7 PM
​Saturday: 9 AM - Noon

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Summer is a great time to get prepared!

Increasing our overall disaster resilience is the responsibility of every community member. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to be prepared to be on their own for a minimum of two weeks.


Check out EWEB's Pledge to Prepare campaign.


Be a ready kid.




Visit the Oregon Office of Emergency Management for more info.

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Ditch the disposables-summer style (short version)

-Don't leave home without it-water. Bring your own water bottle(s) everywhere possible!


-Consider investing in a "party pack" of durables (items that can be reused) instead of packets of single use plates, cups and utensils for your gatherings. You can buy items at a thrift store, like St. Vinnies, or since the intent is to reuse, purchase new items to make a set.


-BYO- lunch, take out containers, bags, coffee mugs, straws, utensils...bring back bringing your own.


-Rent equipment...you will likely get better quality and if it turns out not to be your thing, you're returning it anyway.

Durable Party Pack supply list:

Items to include:

note: choose the items/quantity suitable for your needs


  • basket or bin to hold items
  • utensils for eating and serving
  • plates
  • bowls
  • cups
  • serving bowls
  • cloth napkins/hand towels
  • tablecloth/blanket
  • containers with lids for salads, etc
  • multi-tool
  • 5 gallon water jug/beverage dispenser
  • bags for compost/recycling/trash
  • biodegradable dish soap

*alternately-have each person BYOPS (bring your own place setting)

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky is hardly a waste of time. "

-John Lubbock

Shade is a summertime friend

Sunscreen vs. Covering up


Sunscreen is a remarkable invention that helps humans stay in the sun longer by protecting us from harmful UV rays. But, have you ever stopped to think about what it may be doing to the wild waters you recreate in and beyond?


(Below) NOAA has prepared a helpful graphic to help us understand how sunscreen chemicals enter our environment and how they can affect marine life. Graphic source


Some swimming ideas may be:

-Wear clothing/headwear that covers your skin

-If only "dipping in", apply sunscreen after going in the water

-Apply sunscreen and really wait the recommended 15-30 minutes for it to absorb before entering the water

-use lotions, not sprays, to maximize use of these products and keep sunscreen out of your lungs

-enjoy the shade of trees or bring your own shade

"Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them again next year."

-Chad Sugg
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4J/EWEB Education Partnership

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