Eco Experience
with Eco Chick
1. Let the sun shine in during the day.
2. But close the curtains at night.
3. Eliminate air leaks and drafts.
4. Close Doors and Vents in Unused Rooms.
5. Stay Warm With Clothes and Blankets.
6. Reset Your Water Heater Thermostat.
7. Keep the Air Circulating.
8. Use Space Heaters.
9. Choose LED Lights for Your Home and Decorations.
10. After Using the Oven, Leave the Door Ajar.
11. Lower the Temperature in Your Home.
12. Turn the Thermostat Down When You Go to Sleep.
13. Get a Smart Thermostat.
February is Show the Love for the Planet month!
This February, people from all walks of life will use the power of green hearts to show decision makers that we want to see urgent action to tackle climate change, protect nature and bring down bills.
People all around the world are feeling the impacts of climate change and spiraling costs of living, but are united in wanting to see a safer, greener future.
The solutions are there. We need to support the people hardest hit across the world by the impacts of climate change. We need to protect and restore nature. And, we need support to stop our homes wasting energy, quickly move towards cheaper and cleaner renewables that bring down household bills and give us reliable, secure energy.
While this is a UK campaign, there are loads of fun ideas to connect students to showing their Love for the Planet-my favorite, make and wear green hearts. 💚
Get ready for another great year of gardening with the Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge
The option for Oregonians to request free seeds is now open! While supplies last, Oregonians who sign up and request seeds will be mailed seeds free of charge. Group leaders and garden coordinators can also request free seeds to share with groups of ten members or larger. However, anyone from anywhere can also join using their own seeds or just follow along with monthly growing tips and information.
Sign up for Grow This! to receive gardening information directly to your inbox. We'll send you an email every month with growing, harvesting and recipe tips.
Sign up for Grow This! 2024 seeds, here https://beav.es/qu6
Teachers and educators looking for Classroom Seed-Starting Kits to use with your students, please email Christine.Mouzong@oregonstate.edu for sign-up details. This is a separate sign-up process this year.
February 16th-19th
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.
Check out the links below for more information.
Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count
National today Great Backyard Bird CountCornell Lab Ways to participate.
February 19th-23rd
Black communities make the smallest carbon footprint, yet they face the worst of environmental degradation. This proximity to the problems means frontline communities are also at the forefront of climate solutions. Yet, they receive the least amount of support. To create equitable climate solutions, we must honor the leadership, voices, and stories of Black communities. Philanthropy MUST dismantle historical barriers & move forward with transparency, accountability, and solidarity.
This annual event is focused on philanthropy and its power to create the future we want by showing up in solidarity with Black communities advancing a just transition to an equitable and regenerative economy. As climate action rises in importance across all communities, a spotlight on Black leadership offers a powerful path forward.
Check out the links below for more information, reading lists and more.
The Solutions Project (2023)
2024 info coming via Instagram @solutions.project
February 23rd
In 2017, a group of teenage activists called the Coral Keepers established National Skip the Straw Day to recur every fourth Friday in February. Amid frequent and intense conversations about the state of the planet and the potentially fatal effects of plastic waste for creatures in the world’s largest oceans, these high school students from Whitehall, Michigan decided to establish the day in order to educate others about the many biodegradable alternatives to these small but potent cylindrical sippers.
Here are some resources to get your students involved:
Ocean Conservancy Skip the Straw
Plastic Pollution Coalition The Last Plastic Straw Movement
Straw Wars: The Fight to Rid the Oceans of Discarded Plastic
I'd love to work with you and your students on climate, energy and conservation projects!
If your school needs cafeteria support with the Love Food Not Waste program, need help with your Eco Club or if you would like an individual 30-60 minute classroom visit/activity, please fill out the Eco Chick Visit Form. Because I serve K-12 students, your information will help me tailor my presentation/activity to your specific classroom learning needs.
I look forward to working with you and your students! 🌎🌏🌍
The City of Eugene is providing their “SPLASH!” grant funding for instruction in science. SPLASH! (Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share!) is a website and curriculum for grade levels K-8 exploring water and the effects of pollution in water systems, the water cycle, and local ecosystems. Also included in this program is the Salmon and the Ecosystem curriculum, available for grades 5-12, which approaches water quality issues with emphasis on salmon and its role in our region’s ecosystem, economy and culture.
Here are the SPLASH! Website and City of Eugene's Classroom Materials sites containing all the grade-level curriculum information and materials.
Here is the link to the 2024 SPLASH! Grant Application. There are two levels of grant funding available: (a) a one time per year per school, up to $1,000 award; or (b) two up to $500 per year per school awards. Funds will be allocated based on alignment with SPLASH! Curriculum; alignment with 4J Science Curriculum, Common Core State Standards and NGSS; and the proposed project budget. A copy of the scoring rubric is attached for your reference. In the event of multiple classroom or grade level applications per school, Principals will need to prioritize the requests prior to submission of completed applications. Please read the application carefully as there are specific restrictions with regard to proposed technology purchases.
Note: Requests for funding of Outdoor School programs will not be considered as State funding has been allocated for Outdoor School for all 4J Elementary Schools.
In order to be considered for funding, completed applications must be received by 11:55 pm on Friday, March 22, 2024.
This is a great opportunity for your school and a nice partnership with the City of Eugene. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the SPLASH! Program or your project eligibility.
Our team was out in all K-12 school cafeterias in January and we want to give a shout out to all the lunch duties, custodians and nutrition services folx that make the magic happen in that space for our students. Kiddos at the elementary level are rockin' it at the SORT stations, especially the kinders! It is so cool to see them discerning what goes where. For secondary, the process is still new'ish and some school wide refreshers in advisory are recommended for 6-12 grades so the stations are accessed properly and respectfully. Principals and teachers can help keep the cafeteria SORT systems operating successfully by going over cafeteria procedures and routines with your students, to help them understand the importance of keeping food out of the landfill. Even a brief 2 minute conversation can make all the difference. Thank you in advance!
23/24 Elementary Love Food Not Waste Resources
23/24 Secondary Love Food Not Waste Resources
Be a Waste Warrior-K-12 lessons (by grade band), activities, and resources to teach the planetary impact of what we eat and what we throw away. WWF Food Waste Warrior FREE!!
Small Shifts, Big Difference-Shift Campaign Food Waste video
It takes a village to keep food waste out of the land fill. 🌎🌏🌍
SPLASH! Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share site
4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program site
Salmon Education-The Salmon Spot
TOSA-Climate. Energy. Conservation
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533