earthdayevents SOLVE IT for Earth Day 4/22. Join us in celebrating Earth Day! Kai19/Shutterstock.com
This April SOLVE is hosting a statewide day of service You can help us remove over 150,000 pounds of litter and marine debris along with several acres of invasive plants, giving Oregon some much needed spring cleaning.
Think Earth Day Every Day by Sandra Murphy
T
he federal Every Student Succeeds Act, passed in December 2015 to take effect in the 2017-2018 school year, is the first law in U.S. history to include language that supports environmental education. Plans call for it to be integrated with current state standards, graduation requirements, teacher development and assessment, funding sources and policy action steps. EducationWorld.com offers lesson plan ideas for students. For example, students from third grade through high school might collect their household junk mail and explore ways to reduce it. Those in kindergarten through eighth grade may create a binder of information on endangered species that includes maps, animal facts and threats to their survival, exploring causal interconnections throughout the planet. Students can also build a cafeteria compost pile or find ways to improve their school’s recycling program. Kathleen Rogers, president of the nonprofit Earth Day Network, on EarthDayNetwork.org, says, “We need to promote environmental consciousness into our children’s curricula so
they are able to analyze problems, think critically, balance needs and take informed action.” Earth Day isn’t just one day. Aware citizens can take a rewarding action every day. Help Portland celebrate and forward its progress toward sustainability at these local Earth Day 2017 events. PSU Farmers’ Market Saturday, April 22, 11am-3pm South Park Block between SW College & Montgomery Live Music and Fresh Food March for Science Saturday, April 22, 10am-2pm Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland ScienceMarchPDX.com Earth Day Spring Festival Sunday, April 23, 11am-2pm Learning Gardens Laboratory 6801 SE 60th Ave, Portland Live Music - Free Food - Plant Sale Raffle Prizes - Garden Tours and Kids Activities
Pick your program and choose from over 200 events happening statewide this April to take part in this monumental effort.
Sign up at SolveOregon.org The idea of people coming together on Earth Day to take care of and celebrate our planet began more than 45 years ago and was a perfect fit for SOLVE and our volunteers. In 1990, SOLVE IT for Earth Day took root in the Greater PortlandMetro area, fusing our hands-on approach with this worldwide day of service. Since then, SOLVE IT for Earth Day has grown into Oregon’s largest Earth Day service event. Over the past 27 years more than 112,000 volunteers have removed 15 million pounds of litter and invasive plants from neighborhoods, illegal dumpsites,and natural areas as part of this global event.
natural awakenings
April 2017
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