Earth Action Day in Chapel Hill

The Town of Chapel Hill, in cooperation with Briar Chapel and Duke Energy, held the 2009 Earth Action Day Celebration on April 18th on the grounds of UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. A free event for the whole family, Earth Action Day provided a fun-filled afternoon of learning about sustainability through demonstrations, performances and activities.

More than 60 organizations exhibited at the event, showcasing their sustainable initiatives. “We were really excited to be involved in Earth Action Day again this year,” said Melody Egan, dance instructor for the Studio A Dancers, who directed an Earth Day Ballet. More than thirty dancers ages 8 to 18 performed a modern dance piece wearing self-made masks out of recycled material.

Earth Action Day also featured a live concert by headline entertainer, the Kickin Grass Band. The North Carolina Botanical Garden hosted tours of the Coker Arboretum and a scavenger hunt for families with young kids and self-guiding brochures were available. The UNC Institute for the Environment also hosted a Feature Film presented by the AV Geeks "The Last Time We Were Green" inside the Planetarium's digital theater.

Earth Day at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh

This Earth Day at Prairie Ridge Ecostation we celebrated by planting a native Pond Cypress tree. We were joined by a group of kindergartners from Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh who spent part of the day enjoying a Discovery Fun program at Prairie Ridge. We also had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Dee A. Freeman, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Secretary Freeman and a group of the visiting students planted the Pond Cypress tree on the banks of Prairie Ridge's largest pond. As Red-winged Blackbirds sang overhead to establish their nesting sites, we observed tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, and other
small creatures as part of the students' pond study.

The windy day ended with a family of Canada Geese making their way to the pond with their four new hatchlings. Consider coming out to Prairie Ridge this spring and enjoying all of the sights and sounds that nature has to offer.

Brunswick County 4-H Celebrates Earth Day with Fifth Graders from Virginia Williamson

Due to the fact that Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, increasing development creates a greater need to develop environmental friendly procedures and practices. Educating upcoming generations on the importance of caring for our world is one of the best ways to address this issue and plan for future success. On April 22nd, fifth grade students from Virginia Williamson Elementary celebrated Earth Day in a new and exciting way. They visited the Brunswick County Government Complex for a day at the Cooperative Extension office to participate in 4-H’s new school enrichment program, Ecosystem Exploits. Brunswick County 4-H already offers 2 other school enrichment programs for elementary students that include their Embryology in the Classroom and Life on the Farm programs. Ecosystem Exploits is a newly developed program designed to teach 5th graders about environmental education in a creative way outside of their normal classroom setting.

Last year, Brunswick County 4-H received a grant from International Paper to fund the program. Blair Green, 4-H agent, teamed up with fellow co-worker, Nicole Mitchell, Brunswick County Environment and Natural Resources Area Agent, to develop this program around the NC standard course of study for 5th graders and piloted the program with Virginia Williamson this year. Many other Cooperative Extension staff joined in with their expertise to help with the program including 4-H Program Assistant, Leslie Wilson, Horticulture Agent, David Barkley, County Extension Director, Al Hight, 4-H Secretary, Gina Britton, Livestock Agent, Jill Puckett, and Horticulture Technician, Brad Kammer.

Students rotated through six different teaching sessions throughout the day that were taught by Cooperative Extension staff & Brunswick County Master Gardener volunteers. They learned about watersheds through a hands-on learning display called the Enviroscape™. In a session about composting, they learned different techniques including vermicomposting and how to make their own worm bin at home. Other learning topics included erosion, soil & water conservation, pollutants, storm water management, ecosystems, and much more. They toured the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens and help install plants into the newly established rain garden as well as participate in a community service project to decorate rain barrels. One of these rain barrels will be placed at Virginia Williamson and the other three will be placed in various places in the community.

However, April 22nd was only the first component of the Ecosystem Exploits program. The second session of the program will occur on May 29th, when the students will be learning more about rain gardens and constructing one on the school grounds.

Two other expansions have been offered through 4-H as a result of the program. The Brunswick County 4-H website will feature a link (http://brunswickco4h.shutterfly.com/eco) that deals strictly with environmental education that can be used as an additional learning tool for students involved with the program. On July 30th, an Ecosystem Exploits day will be offered as part of the summer program, where children ages 9-12 can participate in a revised version of the program that will be taught by the members of the Brunswick County 4-H Enviro-Warriors Club.

The event was registered with Nickelodeon’s Big Green Program and the Brunswick County 4-H has applied to receive a Nickelodeon Big Grant next year. Based upon the feedback from students and teachers, there are plans to enhance the program and offer it to all of the elementary schools in the county next year.

Brunswick County 4-H is an educational program of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for boys and girls ages 5-19. In addition to providing excellent opportunities to young people, the program is also structured to allow youth an opportunity to share & learn leadership skills and enhance their development. For more information about 4-H and the many activities offered, contact Blair Green, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, at (910) 253-2610 or e-mail blair_wooten@ncsu.edu

Air Avenger Flies in to the Piedmont Earth Day Fair

Triad Air Awareness participated in the Piedmont Earth Day Fair sponsored by Piedmont Environmental Alliance this April, which was held on the campus of Wake Forest University.

DWQ Asheville Regional Office Earth Day Stream Cleanup

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office staff held an Earth Day stream clean-up. The staff has adopted a stretch of the Swannanoa River near their office as part of the RIVERLINK Adopt-A-Stream program. On this day, they collected about 30 bags of trash and several large junk items.

Wilkes County 4-H Visits W. Kerr Scott for Earth Day

The Wilkes County 4-H group visited W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir to honor Earth Day. The 4-H club members picked up trash in one of our park areas and then took a nature walk. The members learned the importance of not littering to prevent trash and other pollutants from getting in our water.

Southwestern Community College, Sylva

For the first time SCC (Southwestern Community College) In Sylva NC, celebrated earth day in conjunction with their annual spring fling event. The event hosted local environmental groups such as the Canary Coalition, Tuckaseegee Watershed Association and the Jackson County Green Energy Park. Also present were the animal compassion group "Mercy for Animals" and the local "SCC Green Team" club. The Green Team worked in coordination with the student life committee of SCC, to make the event a success. Lunch, consisting of wraps without any plastic cutlery was served on biodegradable plates and all drink containers were recycled.

In the photos:

Rudy Beharrysingh demonstrating a downward draft wood gassifier camping stove.

James Nowack demonstrating a larger version of the gassifier with the resulting wood gas used to run a generator.

The SCC reusable bag designed by Kim Aiken that says "It's Easy being Green at SCC". 1000 bags were produced and given away at the event.

Catawba College Center for the Environment

We had a wonderful time as students volunteered their time and efforts to a Recycled Fashion Show. All entries had to be made from already used materials and were judged on creativity and the use of materials. It was a lot of fun! This event culminated a week of activities at Catawba including a 5K race, movie night, two speaking events as well as an informational/craft making event. The students really got involved and showed their passion for making our earth a better place.

Kannapolis Earth Day, April 25th

Kannapolis, N.C., April 20, 2009—The Kannapolis Environmental Stewardship Commission (ESC) and the Piedmont Farmers Market partnered for an Earth Day Extravaganza on Saturday, April 25. The 25th marked the the opening of the market for the summer season.

The event included many activities for families to help mark the day, including classes, information booths and games. “We are nearing the end of the first year for our environmental stewardship commission, and this was a great event for them,” said Kannapolis Community Outreach Coordinator Renee Goodnight. “As the commission matures we hope to provide more opportunities for community education.”

The celebration included:
Worm Farming by Carolina Organic Depot
Kannapolis Middle School Edible Schoolyard
Vegetarian Lifestyles sponsored by Inspired Garden
Education on Community Supported Agriculture by author Aaron Newton. Aaron’s book “A Nation of Farmers” was available for purchase
Bruster's Ice Cream Gift Card Giveaway (First 20 people to take recycling to Bi-Lo recycling station and participate in an interview)

The ESC has also sponsored a photography contest for City of Kannapolis School students. Their work was on display at the event, and winners were announced.
Prizes were awarded by Veolia Transportation.

Kannapolis Earth Day

The Environmental Stewardship Commission chairperson, Colleen McDaniel, gives away organic parsley plants. Author Aaron Newton was on hand to talk to people about his book, “A Nation of Farmers."

Kannapolis Earth Day

Kannapolis Middle School students with their display about their Edible Schoolyard.

Concord-Cabarrus Earth Day

The Concord-Cabarrus County Earth Day event was held at Frank Liske Park on Saturday April 18th.

N.C. Division of Forest Resources at Keeping Kids In Motion Day

The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources took part in the Earth Day/Keeping Kids in Motion Day in Mecklenburg County. Well over 1,000 people (and one big friendly bear) attended.

Party for the Planet at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro celebrated Earth Week with a "Party for the Planet" April 25th. This event is sponsored at institutions accredited by the American Zoos & Aquariums. We featured local resources and family activities and highlighted animal enrichments with special keeper talks throughout the day. Kids played recycling games, made birdfeeders from drink bottles and painted recyclobeasts (including a corru-gator!). Families also learned about everything from bees to backyard birds and plants, water use, recycling and biodiesel cars. We'll be repeating this fun event next April!

Park View Elementary, Mooresville

Park View Elementary in Mooresville did some spring planting in honor of Earth Day. This is the second year the school has planted and cared for a school garden.

Fun, Fitness and the Environment in Kure Beach

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher proved you can host a sustainable 5K race and fun family-oriented event. Over 170 runners turned out for the Aquarium’s Race for the Planet Seahorse Sprint on Sunday, April 19.

Inspired to set an example for the racing community, the Aquarium’s Green Team co-sponsored the Aquarium’s first 5K race along with Pepsi, Land Management Group, TrySports Wilmington and Connie Parker. Lowes Foods donated reusable shopping bags for the race information packets. Organic cotton shirts were given to all race participants. Banana peels and apple cores were collected at the post-race party for compost. Recycling containers for plastic water and sports drink bottles were provided.

Albemarle Pamilco National Estuary Program Earth Day

The Albemarle Pamilco National Estuary Program participated in several Earth Day activities this year, including the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ 2nd Annual Planet Earth Celebration in downtown Raleigh, N.C. on April 18, 2009. Thousands of people attended the all-day green festival, which was sponsored by Burt’s Bees and filled with fun booths, live music, free activities, and sustainable ideas.

APNEP also celebrated Earth Day with the students at Pungo Christian Academy in Belhaven, N.C. Pictured below, APNEP N.C. Field Representative Jimmy Johnson and Lori Brinn play a fun game about water pollution with Mrs. Johnson’s kindergarten class.

Albemarle Pamilco National Estuary Program Celebrates EE Week

Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Program staff participated in the 2009 B.L.A.S.T. Science Outdoors Program on April 17, 2009 at Baskerville Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC. The B.L.A.S.T. program (Building a Lasting Awareness of Science and Technology) is designed to provide the low performing student population with the opportunity to excel in science. Further, the objective of the program is to influence the enrollment and achievement in science of African Americans in Eastern North Carolina. This event coincided with National Environmental Education Week, which took place from April 12-18, 2009. APNEP would like to thank the wonderful staff and students at Baskerville Elementary for their enthusiasm and support during this outstanding event.

Pictured: APNEP Citizens’ Monitoring Network Coordinator Chad Smith describes the life cycle of a fish to a first grade class. First grade students act out a fish life cycle with APNEP Community Specialist Lori Brinn. Fifth grade students participate in a game called “The Shad Run.”

Charlotte: Clean and Green--An Earth Day Celebration

On April 18, 2009, Central Piedmont Community College and the Center for Sustainability hosted the second annual “Charlotte: Clean and Green—An Earth Day Celebration.” We were extremely pleased with the planning and execution of this special event, which combined the incredible partnership efforts from CPCC, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, US Green Building Council and Charlotte Center City Partners.

A few highlights of this special event:
• CPCC’s Charlotte: Clean and Green event took place along Elizabeth Avenue and the Overcash building and lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Opening remarks by County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts.
• This major event was conducted with the help of 90 partnership companies and organizations and 23 major sponsors.
• Thirty-five free environmental education classes covering everything from alternative energy to raising your own chickens, to backyard wildlife habitats, to organic gardening for kids, to making your home more energy efficient, composting, cooking, green careers and more.
• Over 70 exhibitors from “green” industries displaying the latest technological developments in farming, alternative energy, energy management, alternative fuel cars, new solar technology, green remodeling, non-profit environmental resource organizations and much more.
• Music from three local bands, three award winning documentaries as well as an environmental symposium.
• A 100% zero emissions gathering attended by an estimated 4,000 people!

Quote from Mrs. Katie Oates; County Commissioner Dan Murrey's wife: “Absolutely spectacular event. Congratulations. It was the most diverse (culturally, racially, etc.) environmental event I have ever attended in Charlotte. CPCC's involvement, I know, has been invaluable and involving the county, Slow Food and gardening this year was another nice touch). It was a risk, very rarely attempted and even more rarely successful, so kudos to all.”

This event helped to increase the awareness of environmental education in the Charlotte region and we owe part of our success to the promotion we were given on the N.C. Office of Environmental Education Web site calendar and email listing service. Thank you and your dedicated folks for all you do across our state, protecting North Carolina’s natural beauty, resources and future stewards!

--Ernie McLaney, Program Coordinator Center for Sustainability
Central Piedmont Community College

Rain Gardens Take Root in Carteret County

OCEAN, N.C.--The North Carolina Coastal Federation coordinated the installation of four rain gardens at local schools just in time for Earth Day. The rain gardens provide students with opportunities for hands-on science and promote a sense of environmental stewardship. Click this link for a full article on the rain gardens installed at White Oak Elemetary and Beaufort Middle School.

Rain gardens are simple and effective methods for reducing polluted stormwater runoff and coastal flooding. Also known as bioretention areas, rain gardens are small depressions planted with native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff before it enters a local waterway. These methods are effective because they mimic the natural hydrology of the land. Rain gardens also provide aesthetically pleasing landscaping, natural habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife, and promote sustainable design practices while encouraging environmental stewardship and community pride.

White Oak Elementary School, 555 W.B. McLean Blvd. Cape Carteret, NC
Construction: April 16, 2009; Student Planting: April 22, 2009.

Funded by: Wal-Mart
These rain gardens will capture stormwater runoff from the school's rooftops and parking lot, reducing stormwater runoff into adjacent Deer Creek and Bogue Sound.

Durham Earth Day Festival

I attended the Durham Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25. It was presented by the City of Durham and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc. The theme this year was "GO GREEN". There were so many fun activities and booths from local organizations like Scrap Exchange, MusicExplorium, and Schoolhouse of Wonder. The Paper Hand Intervention was on hand for the Earth Day Parade. Their puppets are colorful and dramatic. Here is a picture of two or their popular, recognizable puppets made after the parade.

--Mary Nation, Schoolhouse of Wonder

Dumpster Diving at Ravenscroft, Raleigh

Ravens Take Out the Trash at Dumpster Dive

Students and faculty received an unforgettable lesson in waste management when an entire dumpster of trash was dumped on the Murphy Hall Upper School Green on April 27.
The dumpster, which is one of three on the Ravenscroft campus, represented just a fraction of the waste created at the School daily.

Students from Mrs. Mimi Lieberman’s AP Environmental Science class and members of the Global Warming Action Group helped sort the waste into piles of recyclables, reusables, compostables, and trash.

Throughout the day, Middle School science classes and Lower School students visited the dump site to learn about which items can be recycled and composted.
Burt's Bees CEO and Ravenscroft trustee John Replogle was on hand to help with the project and spread the green message. Replogle told students, "Recycling and composting are definitely very important, but it all starts with reducing the amount of waste we create."
Said one Middle School student who visited the dump site: “I am really surprised by what I’m seeing. I would have thought there would be more actual trash and less recyclable things like bottles in the dumpster.”

Several of the Upper School students who helped sort the trash agreed that the dumpster dive gave them a new perspective on waste, and they said they’ll think twice before throwing a bottle into a trash can.

“This dumpster dive and education day was our effort to bring awareness to our progress in recycling, as well as the incredible amount of trash we produce a week,” said Environmental Stewardship Chair Colleen Kramer. “While we still have room for improvement, as the contents of the dumpster showed, the students’ engagement demonstrated the value and educational merit in such an undertaking. Our goal was to educate the community on what should and should not go into trash cans, and I think we achieved this.”
Ravenscroft extends a special thank you to Burt's Bees for helping to underwrite the cost of the event.

Wilmington Earth Day Festival

We celebrated Earth Day at Hugh MacRae Park, where we have live music, environmental exhibitors, a Green Market (where people can purchase items), a Kid’s tent with all sorts of activities and educational opportunities. We also have local and organic food and beer available. The best part is that our festival is always free! This year we had one of our largest turnouts with about 6,000 attendees.

--Shannon Culpepper, chair of the Wilmington Earth Day Festival

Statesville Earth Day/Arbor Day

Over 1,000 attended Statesville's Earth Day/Arbor Day. The all-free event was held at Lakewood Park -- one of the finest days to be out!

-Jane Srail