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Green eNews May 2015: Go Green Challenge, Urban Forests & More
Published on May 28, 2015 15:01
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Dear Schools & Community,
Greetings! The Go Green Challenge is underway in all of our elementary and middle schools!
Teachers, please be sure to fill out the Go Green worksheet with your students, and hang it up outside your classroom by June 5th! Schools with the most sheets hung up will receive recycled pencils! Also, students are encouraged to fill out the energy pledge cards, and to turn them into the main office. Any questions? Please e-mail me: [email protected].
Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy these warm and beautiful last few weeks of school! As you start to think about emptying your classrooms and offices for summer, please keep recycling and donating in mind!
We will be sending one more e-newsletter before school lets out for the year, with helpful end-of-year information.
Thanks for keepin’ it green!
–Kristen
Environmental Awards Ceremony
We were recently honored at the MA State House during the Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education with a Certificate of Appreciation for our U.S. Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award (received on April 22, 2015 from the U.S. Department of Education).
In the photo from left to right: Lisa Capone, Acting Director of Green Communities Division at Department of Energy Resources; Kristen von Hoffmann, Sustainability Manager for Cambridge Public Schools; and Judith F. Judson, Commissioner at Department of Energy Resources.
Teachers & Students, Share Your Stories!
Has your class or student worked on an environmental, sustainability or climate change project in the last few months? Let us know! We’d love to spotlight the work you and your students are doing in this important and exciting field.
Earthwatch Urban Forest Program
Starting June 6. Earthwatch is offering a free program to learn about urban forests in the Boston area, including Cambridge, by participating in field work to collect tree data. The sessions are one day events with several days scheduled over the summer. For more information and to register, see the Earthwatch website. Photo via Earthwatch website.
CPS Recycling: So Far, So Great!
A big shout-out to CPS students, teachers, staff and custodians for their dedication to recycling! So far this school year we've exceeded the recycling in all of 2014! Let's keep on recycling, and see how much higher we can go. Remember, when we recycle and compost we protect nature and animals, curb climate change and save the City money. Check out the monthly recycling reports >>
Healthy Aging On-Bicycle
Refresher Training
Sunday, May 31 | 10AM-2PM | Memorial Drive
Note: Exact location to be sent upon RSVP; you must RSVP for this workshop.
Are you 50+? Then get on over to Memorial Drive on May 31 for a 4-hour on-bike training, while talking with CDD staff about barriers to bicycling in Cambridge!
Contact Jennifer Lawrence, [email protected], 617.349.4671.
More info >>
Walk/Ride Days
Mark your calendars to walk/bike/get-to-school-sustainably on Friday, May 29th! Check-in for the May 29 Walk/Ride Day is open now and will close on June 1.
Walk/Ride Days take place on the last Friday of the month! Remember to mark your calendar in advance and plan to walk, ride a bike, take the bus, roll in on a skateboard - just ditch the car and get to work sustainably!
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter; we will be counting down and posting relevant material that you can share with staff on days leading up to Walk/Ride Day!
Cambridge Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessment
The City is working on preparing a vulnerability assessment that will serve as the foundation for a climate change preparedness plan that will follow. The project webpage provides background information and documents from meetings. Interested people can send an email to [email protected] to be placed on the project email list.
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TIP OF THE MONTH
Need a nearly instant plant? Chop the end off a bunch of celery and put it in water. You'll see growth soon after!
8th ANNUAL FRESH POND DAY
May 30 | 11AM-3PM
Water Treatment Facility (250 Fresh Pond Pkwy.)
This FREE festival features many activities, including:
Water taste testing and voting; StoryWalk by Agenda for Children; Bicycle rodeo course; Bike decorating station; FREE bike tune-ups; Kids bike parade led by the Cambridge Police at 1:30PM. See full schedule and info on transit and volunteering >>
Please share with your networks!
FRIENDS OF ALEWIFE RESERVATION WALKS
Want to schedule a nature walk for your class or students? Friends of Alewife Reservation is a stewarding and educational non-profit for the Alewife Reservation in northwest Cambridge and for the surrounding city natural resources of marshes and wetlands abutting Belmont and Arlington. Free wildlife and history educational tours, clean ups, and conservation initiatives for the silver maple forest. Take a "Virtual" Tour of the Reservation >>
CLIMATE RIDE NORTHEAST
Takes place September 17-21th! This event raises funds for climate action organizations, raises awareness of climate change, and promotes sustainable lifestyles. The Northeast bicycle ride follows a 320 mile route from Bar Harbor, Maine to Boston. Riders can choose from among more than 100 beneficiaries to support. Learn more >>
WHAT TO RECYLE! STICKERS AVAILABLE
Need a “what to recycle” sticker on your blue classroom recycling bin? Be sure the recycling bin has been cleaned before sticking it on! E-mail [email protected] to get yours today!
CALL FOR COMPOSTING VOLUNTEERS!
Do you love kids and composting? We need volunteers in the cafeterias at the beginning of the school year, as well as throughout, to remind students "what goes where" as well as why they are doing it. As a volunteer you will help ensure the continued success of the composting program in the schools. Please consider joining the composting team, and let friends and neighbors know about the opportunity. E-mail [email protected] to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!
Kristen von Hoffmann
Sustainability Manager
Email Kristen
Cambridge Green Schools Initiative
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