Safe Routes to Schools Walk + Roll May Challenge
You are encouraged to promote and participate in this year's Walk + Roll to school day, May 4th. For more info about this year's challenge and a cool art contest, check out Oregon Safe Routes to Schools site:
https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/may-challenge/
And...it's National Bike Month
National Ride A Bike Day: May 1, 2022
National Bike & Roll to School Day: May 4, 2022
Bike to Work Week 2022: May 16-22, 2022
Bike to Work Day: May 20, 2022
For more info: National Census
Mow Free May
No Mow May...Don't mind us, we're helping the bees.
That's right, you lawn lovers, No Mow May is a thing. Remember the saying April showers bring May flowers? May is the most active pollinator months of the year, so let it grow...let it grow...The goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow unmown for the month of May, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited.
Introducing, Bee City USA -City of Eugene Chapter-check out this site for some local ways to get involved and help bees right here in our community. There are a host of activities and resources.
Bee City USA began in Asheville, NC, which kicked off the program in June 2013 with their eponymous declaration. Bee City “encourages city leaders to celebrate and raise awareness of the contribution bees and other pollinators make to our world.”
On July 23, 2018, Eugene City Council unanimously passed Resolution #5240 to become a Bee City USA, joining more than a hundred other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators. The Council’s action is the culmination of months of effort by the Eugene Pollinator Protection Committee to accomplish this certification.
Migratory Bird Day
Migratory Bird Day takes place on the second Saturday in May each year.
Public awareness and concern are crucial components of migratory bird conservation. Citizens who are enthusiastic about birds, informed about threats, and empowered to become involved in addressing those threats, can make a tremendous contribution to maintaining healthy bird populations. By modeling what can be done and involving people, their interest and involvement in stewardship can grow.
The Environment for the Americas has many free resources available.
Read about Audubon's Lights Out Program. While we don't officially have a program in Eugene (Bend does)...you could engage your neighbors to participate...
More info in this NPR article:
North American birds are in decline. Here are 8 simple ways you can help
Endangered Species Day
Check out the Endangered Species Coalition site.
And, Kids Discover has a nice resource here. Sign up for the free membership and there are many other great resources, as well.
World Biodiversity Day
This year's slogan was chosen to continue building momentum and support for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference #COP15.
Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.
Visit this site for more information.
Climate Fiction (Cli Fi)and Non-Fiction Reading Guide
Updated in 2022, the guide includes:
- a new introduction that reflects current research and understanding of the importance of climate fiction and its relationship to climate justice.
- the addition of elementary-level picture books.
- 24 new book titles complete with summaries and notes to help you consider what may be a good fit for your students.
- an all-new Appendix section featuring discussion questions, action guides, and a list of additional book titles to help you find more climate reading.
Climate Solutions 101
STEM Teaching Tools
Global climate change is rapidly impacting all life on earth. But impacts of climate change are complex, uneven, and worsening, with people from poverty-impacted and BIPOC communities often experiencing impacts most sharply. We must be prepared to understand and respond to climate science. Education is a vital context for building capacity for just, community-driven adaptation and resilience efforts as well as for promoting the enactment of equitable mitigation efforts around the world.
Justice-centered climate change learning is complex, but urgent. To support educators to build capacity for this work, we are creating a suite of resources focused on different aspects of this work. Climate science learning has to happen across PK-12 classroom, in informal education and outdoor contexts, and in community-based learning settings.
To that end, we have created the following kinds of resources on this page:
- STEM Teaching Tools on Climate (professional learning resources)
- 3D Assessment Examples for Climate Science Learning (from the ClimeTime project)
- The Climate Teacher Education Collaborative
- Climate & Environmental Justice in Education Graduate-Level Course
- Climate and Environmental Education Articles for Educators
Youth vs Gov full documentary now on Netflix
Read.
Are you hungry for deeper dialogue about the climate crisis and building community around solutions? We are too. That’s why we created All We Can Save Circles — like a book club, but a cooler, deeper, extended version. Let’s strengthen the “we” in All We Can Save.
Circles were created by Dr. Katharine Wilkinson.
Listen.
Climate change. We know. It can feel too overwhelming. But what if there was a show about climate change that left you feeling... energized? One so filled with possibility that you actually wanted to listen? Join us, journalist Alex Blumberg and a crew of climate nerds, as we bring you smart, inspiring stories about the mess we're in and how we can get ourselves out of it.
Do.
Support EcoGeneration Recycling Take Backs!
Start sorting and saving the Eco Generation Way with the accepted materials list.
Next level: Become an EcoGeneration Volunteer.
*Eco Generation is a group of volunteers in Lane County, working to improve this planet - one decision at a time.
Take Action.
Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE) is a statewide group of educators working toward Oregon legislation that would mandate the integration and infusion of climate change for PK-12 education across all core subject areas.
Take the Oregon Climate Education survey.
For more info visit: Oregon Climate Ed
How to Climate Proof your garden-Fortifying your outdoor space is a great way to mitigate climate catastrophe
"The first thing that you can do, even in the face of climate change, is to start getting some trees established and place them appropriately so that they can mature and shade your home."
Read about Cornell's Climate Change Demonstration Garden started in 2014 “to use plants as the lens to help tell the story of climate change.”
Read the full article for these tips.
1. Get a handle on your region’s unique climate.
2. Take control of your space.
3. Don’t dismiss the dirt.
4. Eradicate pests naturally.
Click here for the full article.
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation
Grant Coordinator-EWEB, SPLASH!, Love Food Not Waste
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533