6 Ways WNY Schools Can Go Green for Earth Day
1. Enter the Project Earth GREEN SCHOOLS CONTEST
In celebration of the 40th Earth Day and the 40th anniversary
of Ecology and Environment, Inc., the company is hosting a Green Schools Contest
to highlight the efforts of western New York schools to become more environmentally
sustainable.
Share your school's green efforts on ProjectEarth.net
and enter your class or school club to win a $500 award. Project Earth is a new
tool where schools, organizations and individuals around the planet can share environmental
projects and ideas.
Project
Earth Green Schools Contest Description
2. Paint a rain barrel in Riverkeeper's "PAINT THE RAIN
GREEN" CONTEST
Paint the Rain Green is a rain barrel competition for schools in
the Buffalo-Niagara region to showcase their creativity and knowledge of environmentally
friendly practices. Once each school is entered in the contest, you will be given
one rain barrel to paint and given the chance to win $300 prize for first place,
$100 for second and $100 for third. Rain barrel painting projects may also be entered
in the Green Schools Contest.
Paint the Rain Green Registration Form
Also, schools can be involved with the
Spring Shoreline Sweep cleanup, Saturday April 17th, from 9am
- 12pm.
3. GO Greener on Earth Day—carpool, bike,
walk or take Metro Bus or Rail on Thursday 4/22
Demonstrate your school's commitment to going green by encouraging staff and students
to take alternative transportation on Earth Day (April 22) to reduce fuel use and
resulting emissions.
Register your school's participation and encourage everyone
to pledge their individual participation.
Teachers and staff: check out www.goodgoingwny.
to find carpool partners, bus options, and bike routes.
4. Participate in Tifft Nature Preserve's 2010 Earth
Day Programs
Earth Day Theme Days
Thursday, April 15 - overflow day Wednesday, April 14
10AM — 1PM
Grades 3-8
Limit: 90 students
Celebrate National Environmental Education Week and Earth Day at Tifft Nature Preserve!
Students will learn about Tifft's wildlife, various habitats, alternative energy
sources, recycling, composting, and more! Please dress appropriately for the outdoors.
Theme Days offer hands-on inquiry-based activities centered on particular themes.
Students will encounter new concepts, make connections, and gain a better understanding
of the world around them. Space is limited!
To register your group, please call Robin Mancuso at 716.896.5200 x338 or email
rmancuso@sciencebuff.org Fee: $5 per
student.
More info for Tifft Nature Preserve at:
http://www.sciencebuff.org/tifft-nature-preserve/
5. Join Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve's 2010 Earth
Day Programs
Reinstein Woods In-School Programs
To celebrate National Environmental Education Week (April 12-16) and Earth Day,
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center is offering FREE in-school classroom
presentations for K to 6th grades on several environmental topics. These hands-on
programs are a perfect way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Available
topics include: "Trash Talk: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle"; "Nature's Recyclers: Wonderful
Worms!," and "What's Flowing in Your Watershed?" From April 12 to April 24, Reinstein
Woods is waving the requested donation for these and other in-school programs we
offer (see the school programs brochure at
Hours and Services of Reinstein Woods. Space is limited. For more information
or to schedule a program, call 716-683-5959.
Schedule for Upcoming Educational
Programs
After School Escape, Thursday, April 22, 4:30 PM
- Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each
week.
For children in grades K-5. No registration is required.
6. Attention Educators: Sign up now for the 2010 NAAEE
Conference ~ Environmental Education: Building Connections ~ Bridging Gaps
The annual conference of the North American Association of Environmental Educators
will be held in Buffalo from September 29 — October 2, 2010 at the Buffalo
Niagara Convention Center. NAAEE and its New
York chapter, NYSOEA (New York State Outdoor
Education Association) encourage you to visit their websites to learn more.
NAAEE is a network of professionals and students that has promoted environmental
education and supported the work of environmental educators around the world since
1971.
NYSOEA is a professional membership organization supporting outdoor and environmental
education and interpretive services in New York State since 1968.
Special Teacher Day
on Saturday, October 2
