January/February 2009 Newsletter
Funding and Award Deadlines
Upcoming Events
Partner Updates and Resources
Your Virginia
Funding and Awards Deadlines
Nominate an Outstanding Environmental Leader
Deadline: February 20, 2009
Deadline: February 20, 2009
Do you work with an outstanding environmental leader here in Virginia? If so, consider honoring this person by nominating him or her for the Erchul Environmental Leadership Award.
This award annually recognizes one Virginian who has made significant individual efforts to better our environment. Nominees will be judged on the basis of vision, expertise, commitment, integrity, communication skills, accomplishments, and diplomacy.
The winner will be announced at the 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium on Wednesday, 1 April 2009, at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. For details regarding nominations, rules, and all past winners, please visit the conference Web site, http://www.vmi.edu/show.aspx?tid=27299&id=31085
Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program
Deadline: January 21, 2009
A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and the National Science Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program offers grants to K–12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district. For more information go to: http://tapestry.nsta.org/
Deadline: January 21, 2009
A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and the National Science Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program offers grants to K–12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district. For more information go to: http://tapestry.nsta.org/
Christopher Columbus Foundation Fellowship Award
Deadline: February 9, 2009
Deadline: February 9, 2009
The Christopher Columbus Award is a national, community-based science and technology program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. Go to: http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/
Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant
The deadline to apply is February 13, 2009. For more information go to: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/hta.html
Pay it Forward Foundation Mini-Grants
Deadline: February 15, 2009
Deadline: February 15, 2009
Pay It Forward Mini-Grants are designed to fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community. Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus - that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially - to be considered in the grant making process. Go to: http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/educators/mini-grant.html
Captain Planet Foundation
Deadline: March 31, 2009
Deadline: March 31, 2009
Captain Planet Foundation grants must: Promote understanding of environmental issues; Focus on hands-on involvement; Involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school); Promote interaction and cooperation within the group; Help young people develop planning and problem solving skills; Include adult supervision; and Commit to follow-up communication with the Foundation (specific requirements are explained once the grant has been awarded). Go to: http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html
Upcoming Events
Project Learning Tree events:
PLT PreK-8 Educator Workshop – January 10, 2009This workshop will cover the PLT PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide. The workshop is hosted by the Roanoke Unit of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Contact Amber Hodges at (540) 772-7524 or amberkh@vt.edu or go to www.cnr.vt.edu/pltPLT Workshop at the HahnHorticultureGarden, Virginia Tech – January 24, 2009This workshop will be held on Washington Street in Blacksburg. Contact Jeff Kirwan at (540) 231-7265 or jkirwan@vt.edu or go to www.cnr.vt.edu/pitDig It! The Secrets of Soil Educator Workshop – January 24, 2009This is a preK – 8 educator workshop about how soils impact our everyday life. Contact Imad Aoun at (202) 463-2754 or iaoun@forestfoundation.org or go to the website: http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.htmlPLT at LewisGinterBotanical Garden – March 21, 2009Deadline to register is March 9. To register call Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden at (804) 262-9887, ext. 322. For more information, contact Lisa Deaton at (804) 328-3031 or email her at lisa.deaton@dof.virginia.gov. The website is www.lewisginter.orgPLT Workshop at the Science Museum of Western Virginia – April 18, 2009This workshop will be held at One Market Square in Roanoke. Contact Jeanette (Jet) Lawler at (540) 857-4387 or jlawler@smwv.orgPLT Advanced Workshop at Holiday Lake Forestry Camp – June 15, 2009
This is for PreK-12 educators. Holiday Lake Forestry Camp provides an in-the-woods residential camp experience for about eighty 13 – 16 year olds. PLT seeks camper nominations from teachers who have students interested in natural resources careers. Six teachers are also accepted per year into the residential camp program for professional development. Contact Lisa Deaton at (804) 328-3031 or lisa.deaton@dof.virginia.gov or visit the website at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/edu/camp.shtml
Your Backyard Classrooms Workshop
January 21st 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
January 21st 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This workshop is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and will be held at Pocahontas State Park. Your Backyard Classroom is a collection of k-12 lesson plans for field trips to Virginia’s State Parks. The goals of the workshop are to: Introduces Your Backyard Classrooms; prepare participants to use the materials; enhance teacher’s environmental education skills and knowledge; and share with participants the educational opportunities available through Virginia State Parks. The deadline to register is January 14. Contact Bonnie Phillips at bonnie.phillips@dcr.virginia.gov or (804) 786-5056.
2009 Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Deadline March 15, 2009
Deadline March 15, 2009
K-12 students attending public, private, or home schools in the United States and the U.S. Territories are eligible to enter, as long as they are U.S. Citizens, resident aliens, or nationals. U.S. Citizens attending schools abroad may enter through their legal state of residence. For more information, go to: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm#GeneralInformation
National Environmental Education Week is April 12 – 18, 2009
National Environmental Education Week is April 12 – 18, 2009
Register to be a national environmental education partner. For more information go to: http://www.eeweek.org/register.htm
Great American Backyard Campout!
Start planning for the Great American Campout and join the National Wildlife Federation (NFW) for this event. The official date is Saturday, June 27, 2009. For more information go to: http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/index.cfm
Please see Calendar of Events for a listing of public programs and professional development offerings. For a list of professional development opportunities for educators, visit www.vanaturally.com/summer.html
February 4-6, 2009
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Are we are really living in an era of extreme changes in climate? Or are green industries re-examining horticultural best practices in light of an always-changing climate? "The right plant in the right place" takes on heightened meaning when we realize that our USDA zone reference points are gradually changing. The world of horticulture is being transformed by environmental, societal, and technological changes; the boundaries of our knowledge and practice are being tested by the challenges of introduced insects and pathogens, invasive plants, and the shifting climate. This symposium focuses on how design and operational practices can serve as models for sustainability and environmental stewardship and turn today's horticultural challenges into tomorrow's opportunities.
An event for green business owners and their staffs, landscape architects and designers, master gardeners, and seasoned home gardeners.
• Allan Armitage on industry changes and sustainable practices
• Felder Rushing on gardening innovations
• James Urban on soil remediation and urban tree systems
• Richard Bir on woody landscape plants
• Kennon Williams on shaping the land for natural hydrology
This symposium is one of the Garden's special events marking its 25th Anniversary in 2009, and is funded by the Robins Foundation. LGBG is presenting this symposium in partnership with the Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (CVNLA), which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2009. The event will be CVNLA's traditional winter short course.
For more details and to register click here or go to www.lewisginter.org. Cost is $40 per day.
Partner Updates and Resources
Welcome New Partners
- Bethel Roots & Shoots Club
- Community Recycling Support Network
In an effort to highlight Environmental Education activities across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Office of Environmental Education would like to include a brief “Word from the Regions” as part of the Partner Updates section in future Virginia Naturally Newsletters. If you would like to highlight an upcoming special event or celebrate a recent success, then please email David Ruble at dnruble@deq.virginia.gov by the last Friday of each month in order to be included in the next months Virginia Naturally Newsletter.
Your Virginia
Governor's Commission on Climate Change
Governor Timothy M. Kaine established the Governor's Commission on Climate Change in December 2007. The purpose of the study was to study greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia and determine what the Commonwealth can do to reduce GHG. The final report was published in December 2008. To read the report go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/info/climatechange.html.
Governor Timothy M. Kaine established the Governor's Commission on Climate Change in December 2007. The purpose of the study was to study greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia and determine what the Commonwealth can do to reduce GHG. The final report was published in December 2008. To read the report go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/info/climatechange.html.
Renew Virginia Initiative
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the Renew Virginia initiative. Renew Virginia is a plan to include legislative and executive actions to make Virginia a leader in energy conservation and help protect the environment. For more information about Renew Virginia go to: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/RenewVirginia/
Ernie Morgan Center Now Certified Green by DEQ
The Ernie Morgan Center, home of Keep Norfolk Beautiful in Norfolk, VA, is proud to announce it has recently been certified as a Virginia Green attraction by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Virginia Green is the statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia's Tourism Industry. It is run as a partnership between DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association.
What Does It Take to be a Virginia Green attraction? At a minimum, facilities must commit to:
The Ernie Morgan Center, home of Keep Norfolk Beautiful in Norfolk, VA, is proud to announce it has recently been certified as a Virginia Green attraction by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Virginia Green is the statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia's Tourism Industry. It is run as a partnership between DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association.
What Does It Take to be a Virginia Green attraction? At a minimum, facilities must commit to:
- Provide Recycling
- Eliminate use of Styrofoam & Reduce Disposables
- Water Efficiency
- Energy Conservation
- Green Events Planning
For more information, visit This Virginia Green. Keep Norfolk Beautiful also has a video on You Tube that tells about their programs. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/KeepNorfolkBeautiful
Virginia Natural Resource Agency News
For the latest information about VA’s seven natural resource agencies visit www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/Agencies/agency.cfm and click on the agency link you need.
Litter Picks
2008 Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Report
The 2008 Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant report has been posted. There were 184 grants awarded which represented 304 local governments. Approximately $1.8 million was disbursed from tax revenue. Local governments matched this amount 4:1 through cash and in-kind services that was provided by staff, volunteers and local supporters. To read the performance and accounting report, go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/programs.html
Recycling Rate Report for Virginia
The 2007 recycling rate for Virginia is 38.5% up from 33.4% in 2006. Virginia’s recycling rate exceeds the national goal set by the EPA which is 35%. The solid waste planning regions reported an increase in the recycling of plastics, metals, glass and used oil in 2007. The 2008 guidance and reporting form have been posted. The form is due to DEQ by April 30, 2009. Go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/mandatory.html
Keep America Beautiful Reports Drop in Cigarette Litter
Keep America Beautiful has cigarette litter butt program. KAB reports that 186 locations around the country have adopted the KAB cigarette butt program and have reported an average reduction of cigarette litter by 46% in communities that have implemented the program. For more information, go to: http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pressreleases_12_15_08
Register now to be part of the Great American Cleanup
Keep America Beautiful (KAB) is promoting the annual Great American Cleanup which runs from March 1 – May 31, 2009. Anyone can organize a cleanup and register with KAB. For more information, go to: http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gaclanding
Recognition for Virginia Programs
Carol Doss of the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable writes:
The Upper Tennessee River Roundtable (UTRR) won a third place award for Assign-A-Highway - our second national award for that program! UTRR also won two first place awards from Keep Va Beautiful for Assign-A-Highway. And a Scenic VA Award for Assign-A-Highway.
UTRR won a first place state award for the rain garden projects and won a first place state award for Keep Southwest Virginia Beautiful for all of the litter prevention work.
At the Keep America Beautiful Conference (KAB) in Washington, D.C.; I served on a panel to talk about the cigarette litter prevention program we did with Keep Southwest Virginia Beautiful. We did the program in Gate City, Wise, Norton and Clintwood. We got a KAB grant to do the program. KAB asked us to do the program in one locality, so they were thrilled that we did it in four. Nancy Drumheller of the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority and I also gave a presentation about our education programs in a session called "Steel This!"
For additional information, contact Carol Doss at uppertnriver@yahoo.com or (276) 623-1353.
The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) is recognized by Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB)
CVWMA recently received a first place award for their waste reduction program from KVB. For more information, contact Nancy Drumheller at (804) 359-8413 or ndrumheller@cvwma.com
Gateway Streetscape Foundation’s Fall Cleanup of the SmithRiver
Lois Christensen of the Gateway Streetscape Foundation reported that 80 volunteers picked up 7.47 tons of litter in the October event. Gateway asks citizens to scout for areas in the Henry County/Martinsville area that need to be targeted for the next litter cleanup which is on February 7, 2009. For more information, call (276)634-4674.
EPA Endorses Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices
The Environmental Protection Agency compiled a set of guidelines to establish good recycling practices for electronics waste collectors. For more information about the voluntary R2 program, go to: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm
Popular Mechanics Magazine Debunks Five Myths about Recycling
Go to http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4290631.html to read the article.
Summary of the Virginia Council on Litter Prevention and Recycling Conference
The Virginia Council on Litter Prevention and Recycling (VCLPR) hosted a litter and recycling conference October 22 – 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg.
The keynote speaker was Tracy Bowen, Executive Director of the Alice Ferguson Foundation. This organization has been promoting the “Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative” since 2005. For more information go to: http://www.hardbargainfarm.org/trash_initiative/trash_index.html
Representatives from the Isle of Wight County, Plastic Bag Industry, Trex Lumber Company and the Virginia Retail Alliance gave a presentation on the issues surrounding the use of plastic bags in Virginia.
Rosemary Byrne of the Clean Fairfax Council and Julie May of Stafford County presented information about litter enforcement in their localities. Here is the link to the Clean Fairfax Council’s website which has information about the report a litter bug program: http://www.cleanfairfaxcouncil.org/
In Stafford County, the litter office in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation target illegal signs along the road. Their goal is to focus on removing nine signs a week. Violators are given up to seven days to remove their illegal signs. If the signs aren’t removed, the person responsible for the signs is required to pay a fine for each sign. The program has been very successful. For more information, contact Julie May at 540.658.4579 or jmay@co.stafford.va.us
Nancy Drumheller of the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) and Carol Doss of the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable (UTRR) provide educational tools to the many local governments that they serve. They introduced two of the “Virginia Trekkers” from Henrico County. The Trekkers mission is to take students on virtual field trips to make Standards of Learning (SOL) fun and interesting. They visited a recycling facility in Chesterfield County and presented their podcast at the conference. It is a valuable resource to anyone who wants to show citizens what happens to recycled materials. Go to: http://www.virginiatrekkers.com/Recycling/Recycling.html
Megan Brown, Keep Henrico Beautiful and Clara Mills, Spotsylvania County collaborated to create “The Quest for a Clean Community” which is a board game that is printed on a bandanna to teach students about litter and recycling. Ms. Brown also created a bulletin board kit for teachers with an environmentally friendly theme.
An overview of planning and hosting big events was given by representatives from Henrico County, Fredericksburg, Fairfax County and the Clean Valley Council.
Sheila Barnett of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality facilitated a small group and large group discussion designed to help litter program managers assess their litter programs and help them to grow their programs by sharing ideas. The litter manual is available by going to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/lprevention.html
Trash to Riches Recycling Contest is a Success
Lois Christensen of Gateway Streetscape Foundation wrote:
Gateway Streetscape Foundation is promoting recycling through its recycled art contests. The goal is to increase student awareness of recycling and waste minimization. The entries continue to amaze us as our youth exhibit how creative they can be.
Local youth from all grade levels were invited to enter a piece of three-dimensional art that uses “throw away recycled materials”. The acceptable recyclables that were used for the art were as follows: Paper products could include catalogs, hard and softbound books, junk mail, magazines, newspaper, office paper, phone books and all types of cardboard. Containers using #1 and #2 plastic, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass and rubber were acceptable.
For more information contact Ms. Christensen at: gateway@co.henry.va.us or 276-634-4674.
Did You Know?
New York State has a litter lawn law. In cities of more than 1 million people, no business can place fliers or menus on private property when the owners of the property display a sign requesting that no advertising materials be placed on that property. Go to: http://www.stoplawnlitter.org/lawn-litter-law.htm
Assorted Items of Professional Interest
Dig It! The Secrets of Soil
Discover the amazing world of soils with images and information from the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Soils related curricula can be found through the exhibit webpage at http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.html.
Environment Virginia Conference
The 20th Annual Environment Virginia Conference will be held March 31 – April 2, 2009 at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. Go to www.environmentva.org
St Paul High School makes it into the Stewardship Education Best Practices Guide
Conservation education is one of the most vital tools for shaping long-term conservation and enjoyment of fish and wildlife resources. St Paul High School in Southwestern Virginia has been highlighted as one of the case studies in the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ Stewardship Education Best Practices Guide which can be found at http://www.fishwildlife.org/consed.html.
Call for Presentations is now open for 2009 NAAEE Conference in Portland, Oregon
Deadline: February 1, 2009
You can begin submitting your proposals now for the 38th Annual Conference of the North American Association for Environmental Education at http://www.naaee.org/2009-conference.
Nominations open for the 2009 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award
The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is awarded annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation to an outstanding teacher who has successfully integrated environmental education into his or her daily education programs. The award is given to a 5th-12th grade educator who can serve as an inspiration and model for others. A $5,000 cash award is provided for the recipient to continue their work in environmental education. Do you know a teacher who stands out among the rest? If so, please nominate him/her for the 2009 Richard C. Bartlett Award. The nomination deadline has just been extended to February 13, 2009! To learn more or submit your nomination visit http://www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.htm
The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is awarded annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation to an outstanding teacher who has successfully integrated environmental education into his or her daily education programs. The award is given to a 5th-12th grade educator who can serve as an inspiration and model for others. A $5,000 cash award is provided for the recipient to continue their work in environmental education. Do you know a teacher who stands out among the rest? If so, please nominate him/her for the 2009 Richard C. Bartlett Award. The nomination deadline has just been extended to February 13, 2009! To learn more or submit your nomination visit http://www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.htm
Project Budburst
Join the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering in our area through Project BudBurst! This national field campaign targets native tree and flower species <http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/plantlist.phpUnited States. Be a part of something really big.> across the country. With our help, they will compile valuable environmental and climate change information around the
Join the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering in our area through Project BudBurst! This national field campaign targets native tree and flower species <http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/plantlist.phpUnited States. Be a part of something really big.> across the country. With our help, they will compile valuable environmental and climate change information around the
River Watershed Training
Ann Masters of the Clean Valley Council submitted the following information about the Coalfield Watershed Training Conference Which was held November 17 – 19, 2008 at the Breaks Interstate Park in Breaks, VA. Additional training is being planned for the spring/summer 2009.
The training was hosted by Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable (ECRR) and the Environmental Protection Agency to address issues of water quality in the Eastern Coal Region.
Training sessions addressed issues such as straight pipe waste water, acid mine drainage (AMD), and stormwater runoff pollution.
Participants received intensive instruction and hands-on practice in training sessions such as water monitoring, grant writing and organizational development. Representatives from various public agencies presented information on funding opportunities and development projects.
The event was part of Hope and Hard Work, a partnership between Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable and EPA to build the capacity of grassroots watershed groups in the Eastern Coalfield Region. The event drew 78 individuals representing 33 local groups from Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Future trainings are planned for May, June and July 2009 in West Virginia and Kentucky. Individuals and organizations in Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia are invited to participate. To attend a training, contact Kelsey Fischer at (304) 294-1003 or info@easterncoal.org.
To receive information on the Upper Roanoke River Watershed, contact Linda Barker at linda@cleanvalley.org or (540) 345-5523; Andra Blatt at ablatt@rcs.k12.va.us; or Sharon Stinnette at sharon.stinnette@verizon.net
Fun Facts
2009 is the Year of Science. The Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) has named 2009 the Year of Science. To learn more about the Year of Science, go to: http://www.yearofscience2009.org/about/about.html
 |