Targeting the Next Generation of Recyclers: Maryland Green Schools and Solid Waste Reduction Welcome, Introductions & a little admin Our Moderator: • Peter Houstle - MRN Executive Director Our Presenter: • Laura Johnson Collard Executive Director of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education Mark Your Calendars: • February 6-9, 2014 – MAEOE Annual Conference • June 19-20, 2014 – MRN/SWANA-MA Annual Conference Admin • Post questions in chat box on right hand side of screen • Recording will be posted on MRN website What is a Maryland Green School? What is a Green School? Program Philosophies • Whole School Culture Shift • Student Driven • Hands-On Inquiry • Non-Prescriptive Framework Why get Certified? • Academic achievement • Interaction with Nature • Health effects on Social, Emotional, Cognitive and Physical Development • Development of a 21st Century Workforce • Importance of Environmental Literacy and Engagement MD Green Schools* by county/city Total: 419 - 20% of all Schools in Maryland Allegany 2 Howard 46 Anne Arundel 67 Kent 1 Baltimore City 28 Montgomery 50 Baltimore County 64 Prince George’s 18 Calvert 25 Queen Anne’s 5 Caroline 1 Somerset 1 Carroll 29 St Mary’s 19 Cecil 5 Talbot 1 Charles 9 Washington 8 Frederick 7 Wicomico 3 Garrett 11 Worcester 3 Harford 16 *Supported by 36 Maryland Green Centers Environmental Literacy • Roper Report – a longitudinal study of adults – 58% of adults are environmentally literate. • Maryland’s Definition • MSDE- High School Graduation Requirement, environmental literacy standards. • http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MS DE/programs/environment/tk/elci_gb Overview The MD Green School Application Pre K-12 Summarize the school’s actions over 2 years. Provide documentation. 1. Use of the Environment as a context for learning • Environmental Issue Instruction • Professional Development • Celebration 2. Design, Operation, and Maintenance of School Building and Site (Choose 4, 2 actions in each) • Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention • Energy Conservation • Solid Waste Reduction • Habitat Restoration • Outdoor Structures for Learning • Responsible Transportation • Healthy School Environment 3. School and Community Partnerships Ascension Catholic School Halethorpe Baltimore County Maryland Green Schools • Use the curriculum, school, and community sites to investigate environmental issues and take action • Model Environmental Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Build community partnerships for stewardship Making Curriculum Connections and Investigating Environmental Issues Using the schoolyard and local watershed as a classroom Language Arts Social Math Studies History Science Physical Art Education Professional Development • All staff know about the school’s effort to become a Green School • Majority of staff have some Environmental learning – many options • 10% of staff have outside Environmental Professional Development • Professional Development Calendar at www.maeoe.org Celebration School wide appreciation of the efforts and achievements of teachers and students Best Management Practices Best Management Practices • Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention • Energy Conservation • Solid Waste Reduction • Habitat Restoration • Outdoor Structures for Learning • Responsible Transportation • Healthy School Environment ( Choose 4 of 7- 2 in each category) WaterWater Conservation/Pollution Conservation/Pollution Prevention Prevention • “Bay starts here” stickers on faucets • Installation of low flow fixtures • Rain gardens erosion control measures • Storm drain stenciling • Parking lot curb cuts • Pervious paving for reducing runoff from driveways and parking lots • Creating “No Mow Zones” • Plant trees and shrubs SolidSolid Waste Waste Reduction Reduction Cont. Print double-sided Buy products with no packaging or with wrapping that can be reused or recycled. Reuse things Recycle ink cartridges Set up outdoor composting Plan an indoor or outdoor clean-up day Arrange for curb-side pick-up of recyclables Reduce-Reuse-Recycle No-waste lunch days 3)Community Community PartnershipsPartnerships • MAEOE • Parents and PTA • MD Green Centers • Forestry Board • Chesapeake Bay Trust • Local county agencies • MD DNR, MDE, MSDE • Colleges and Universities • Non-profit groups • UMD Cooperative Extension • Local garden clubs • Local businesses and organizations • Federal agencies/EPA Examples • “A campus cleanup day, advertised to the community, with the local waste management agency, giving away recycle bins. The school advertises a collection of recyclables, cell phones, printer cartridges, partners with TerraCycle etc.” • “Bringing in a county recycling coordinator to speak to the staff, working with a Master Gardener to design a habitat, working with MD DNR on a grant to install a stream buffer.” How to get started….. Assemble a Green School Committee at your school Identify the curriculum connections and the actions you’ve already accomplished Chose the BMP’s to focus on Complete all requirements Document your actions Submit by the deadline Celebrate! Example: Benfield Elementary School http://benfieldlivesgreen.weebly.com/iv- environment-as-a-context-for-learning.html Recap 80 70 60 50 New 1st Recert 40 2nd 3rd 30 20 10 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Percentage of MDGS by County 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Supports for Maryland Green Schools Funding Partners Community MAEOE Partners MDG MDGS Centers MDGS Leaders 36 Maryland Green Centers Anne Arundel County Howard County Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center Howard County Conservancy Annapolis Maritime Museum Robinson Nature Center Jug Bar Wetlands Sanctuary Montgomery County Baltimore County Audubon Naturalist Society Marshy Point Nature Center Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center Irvine Nature Center Calleva Outdoor Adventures Willow Grove S.E.R.T. Program, MCPS Baltimore City Prince George’s County Blue Water Baltimore Patuxent Research Refuge Nat’l Wildlife Visitor Center National Aquarium in Baltimore William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center Masonville Cove Environmental Center Patuxent River 4-H Center Parks and People Foundation Alice Ferguson Foundation Carroll County Patuxent River Park Hashawha Environmental Center/Bear Branch St. Mary’s County Carroll County Outdoor School Elms Environmental Education Center Cecil County St Mary’s County NorthBay Adventure Camp Talbot County Charles County Environmental Concern Wetland Learning Campus Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center Washington County Garrett County Claude E. Kitchens Outdoor School at Fairview Hickory Environmental Education Center Wicomico Harford County The Ward Museum Anita C. Leight Estuary Center at Otter Point Creek Worcester Harford Glen Environmental Education Center Assateague State Park Eden Mill Nature Center Maryland Coastal Bays Contact Information Laura Johnson Collard Executive Director Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education MAEOE [email protected] (P) 443-733-1220 x114 (F) 443-733-1221 7761 Waterloo Road Jessup, MD 20794 www.maeoe.org .