February is Show the Love for the Planet month!
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.
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.
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. 💚
OSU's Grow This Challenge
Beginning in February 2023, individuals, households, groups and teachers can sign up to receive free seeds through Food Hero’s Grow This! Challenge. Each will be delivered by mail and include a mix of herb and vegetable seeds, as well as flowers that are attractive to pollinators. A monthly email will also be provided, with growing, harvesting and preparation tips. (while supplies last)
Beginning February 6th, sign-ups will be available on the Grow This hub here.
February 18th-22nd The Great Back Yard Bird Count
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 Count
Black Climate Week February 21-25
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.
Now in its third year, this award-winning campaign 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.
February 18th Skip the Straw Day
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
Jaunuary 28th-International Reducing co2 Emissions Day
International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day
2023 City of Eugene SPLASH! Grant are Back!
It's back! 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 2023 SPLASH! Grant Application. There are two levels of grant funding available: (a) a one time per year per school, up to $2,000 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 24, 2023.
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.
Love Food Not Waste SORT Stations
4J/EEP staff stands at the ready to assist the remaining schools with the implementation process. Principals have been notified and hopefully we will have a training schedule for each school soon. Training materials, consultation and support will be provided. The goal is to have every 4J school participating by spring break. With successful up front training, students have been easily able to adapt to the change in waste collection. We have kept hundreds, perhaps nearing thousands, of gallons of food waste out of the land fill so far.
Here are the Secondary Love Food Not Waste Resource. This document includes information, resources and a 4 day unit in Canvas for advisory lessons.
And, elementary friends, if you want to do a refresher with your students here is the Elementary Love Food Not Waste Resource.
And, here is the 3 Year Love Food Not Waste Plan for background information.
Thanks everyone for supporting this huge carbon emissions reduction effort. It takes a village to keep food waste out of the land fill. It is dreamy seeing the Earth flags flying across the district. 🌎🌏🌍
*SORT= Separate Organics, Reusables, Trash
Support SB 854 K-12 Climate Education in Oregon
At the request of our students, Oregon Educators for Climate Education have written legislation requiring K12 schools in Oregon to integrate regionally-relevant, hope-inspiring, solution-oriented, climate change lessons across all subjects. The United Nations advises that this is a necessary step if climate goals will be met. Climate Change Education research also suggests that knowing the facts, understanding solutions, and taking action can help alleviate young people's anxiety about the climate crisis.
Oregon Educators for Climate Education and our Student Councils are asking for your support to convince lawmakers that empowering Oregon students with the capacity to effect an equitable, sustainable future deserves their full support
Join together to support SB 854.
For more information:
Thanks for your support!
The OECE Steering Committee
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate. Energy. Conservation
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533
