STUDENTS SAVING THE PLANET
At the Earth Discovery Institute, we have joined scientists, educators, parents, business leaders, citizens, and stars like Leonardo di Caprio (http://www.stopglobalwarming.org) from around the world in understanding that today's students will keep tomorrow's planet safe and healthy...starting today! We tell our students to remember Earth CPR (Conserve, Plant, Reycle).
Conserve: You've probably heard of the Three Rs - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We need to practice these Rs because our resources are limited - there is only so much aluminum, tin, oil, and other raw materials in the world. If we reduce, reuse, and recycle, we'll cut down on the amount of stuff we throw away and conserve resources. Visit the Kids Website (http://www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kidsweb) to explore what's garbage, what's not, and where it all goes.
Plant: Kids plant trees to reduce our global footprint...As trees grow, they help stop global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and the soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. While they are fighting global warming, trees provide many benefits to all of us, every day. They provide cooling shade, block cold winter winds, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water, and add grace and beauty to our homes and communities.
Recycle: Students know that recycling helps the earth, and us, in many important ways. It keeps waste out of landfills, which take away valuable habitat from animals and open space from people. Recycling also recovers valuable raw materials (like when we save aluminum cans we don't have to disturb the environment by mining and smelting the mineral bauxite which is used in the manufacture of aluminum). Finally, recycling reduces pollution and saves energy!
Over 10,000 students have visited Crestridge Ecological Reserve to participate in "service learning," a teaching and learning strategy that combines meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Students have come from as far as Imperial Beach, Poway, and Valley Center, as well as from the reserve's neighboring Cajon Valley Union School District.
Together these students have made a huge difference! At the reserve, they have:
- Planted native plants and restored over ten acres of habitat burned in the 2003 Cedar Fire, giving the gift of life to many of the Reserve's threatened and endangered species
- Collected and propagated acorns for re-planting of the Reserve's majestic Engelmann Oaks, a California threatened species and a critical part of the ecosystem
- Analyzed the reserve's water quality to provide feedback to the community about clean water practices
- Constructed birdfeeders for home use, thereby adding thousands of backyard habitats as part of the National Wildlife Federation's effort
And at school these students have:
- Planted native plant gardens on their school grounds to prevent erosion, save water, and provide habitat to wildlife
- Implemented composting and recycling programs
- Constructed and donated barn owl nesting boxes
- Started Roots and Shoots and other environmental clubs
Did you know:
- 75% of students doing service learning said they learned more than in a typical class?
- America's youth contribute more than 1.3 billion hours of community service?
- An estimated 6 million teenagers are regular volunteers in their communities?
Contact your local National Learn and Serve organization, Volunteer San Diego, for information and opportunities.
IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE EARTH DISCOVERY INSTITUTE'S YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS EFFORT, HAVE YOUR TEACHER CALL US AT 619-437-7989!
