Earth Force GREEN Program Global Rivers Environmental Education Network

History of GREEN GREEN began in 1989 Dr. William B. Stapp; University of MI, Ann Arbor Passed to Earth Force in 1999 Earth Force acquired GREEN because of our reputation moving students to action.

Why GREEN? Encourages inquiry-based learning Promotes civic involvement Engages the community Focuses on youth empowerment GREEN starts with students monitoring a local waterway for a number of pollutants and turbidity, then they choose an issue on which to focus, conduct research and create a watershed protection action plan. One aspect of the program that is both unique and powerful is it’s focus on youth voice.

GREEN Tools Protect Our Watershed kits Awareness to Action poster and activity guide Water testing kits: dissolved 02, pH, N2, P2, turbidity, change in temperature, benthic macroinvertebrates Along with these tools, teachers receive thorough training in GREEN, and in-class technical support from EF PC’s throughout the school year.

Step 1: Watershed Inventory Identify local watershed and water quality conditions Identify threats, problems and resources Geographic familiarity, water quality monitoring, researching local watershed associations and work being done at universities and other institutions.

Step 2: Selecting a Watershed Problem Develop criteria to select an impairment or threat Use democratic decision making that facilitates team work Choose an impairment or threat on which to work

Step 3: Researching Policy and Practices Identify behaviors and policies related to selected problem Identify key players in selected problem Collect and describe facts and opinions about the problem Develop recommendations for improving the problem Key players being stakeholders, policy makers, township supervisors, business owners, etc.

Step 4: Deciding What to do Brainstorm strategies Use criteria to make democratic decision about what to do

Step 5: Taking Action Establish an action plan with timeline Carry out action plan

Step 6: Looking Back and Ahead Assess the impact of the project Decide what still needs to happen Chronicle effort and celebrate

GREEN Watershed Projects School Lane Charter persuades board to install pervious surface Radnor Middle School builds riparian buffer zone Currently Bridesburg Elementary is installing a watershed mural in school Projects include: a class of fourth graders who convinced their school officials to install a pervious pavement parking lot and playground, Radnor Middle School who partnered with Waterloo Mills preserve to build a riparian buffer zone and raised money to purchase and plant 75 trees, a Friends’ Central class also raised money to repair a buffer zone and partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and Morris Park Arboretum

GREEN Watershed Projects Philadelphia School students publish watershed education books Friends’ Central raises funds to repair buffer zone A group of Philadelphia School students wrote and published children’s books about watershed care and also raised money to adopt 3 bird species to be cleaned after the Athos oil spill. Another school did storm drain stenciling.

GREEN Teacher Trainings Summer Institutes provide in depth training for teachers on watershed content and GREEN process Teachers earn Act 48 credits

Ongoing Teacher Support Planning meetings Materials Community connections and resources 3-6 classroom visits per year Culminating Youth Summit for students to showcase projects

GREEN: Beyond Water Quality Monitoring Students analyze water samples, conduct balanced research, then synthesize findings to create watershed protection projects. Teacher receive ongoing training and support from Earth Force staff