Author Archives: BGGS Admin

The Live Green Lexington School program has been in full force this semester with virtual waste reduction and water quality lessons. Students use interactive Google Slides, videos, 3D tours of watersheds, and so much more as they explore their local environment. Technology has provided so many opportunities- there is a list of never-ending options for educators and students to learn online.

One of the most exciting new parts of the virtual Middle and High School program is the “Ask an Expert” – Career Panel. Following their classroom lessons, students from each participating Upper-Level school have had an opportunity to listen to and speak with a panel of local experts in water quality or waste reduction focused careers. These culminating events have a lasting impact. According to experts at ACT, students who develop education and career knowledge and skills are likely to “have expanded education and career knowledge, make education and career decisions that better fit them, increase their motivation to learn and achieve, and experience more positive outcomes in both school and work settings.”

Here’s what SCAPA science teacher Ashlie Arkwright has to say about the Ask an Expert Career Panel: “It is important to give students the opportunity to hear from members of our community whose careers relate to topics we address in class. Students often become aware of careers they have never heard of before as a result of experiences such as this. And given the fact that many students are currently not interacting with as many community members during their daily lives, virtual experiences such as the ones that Bluegrass Greensource provides are even more valuable and appreciated.” Addie, a SCAPA 7th grader stated, “The career panel was awesome!  I learned so much from the visitors that Mrs. Sayles had. We learned all about the sanitary sewers and storm sewers. I am so happy that we got to hear from career panelists.”

The student and teacher sum it up well. One goal of the Environmental Education efforts through the Live Green Lexington Program is to help students discover the careers that are available to them in our city and beyond. When students have these experiences early on, they can guide them in making decisions and plans about their educational opportunities, and eventually careers.

By: The BGGS Waste Reduction Action Team

With nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states under two dozen banners and annual sales of more than $121.1 billion, Kroger Co. today ranks as one of the world’s largest retailers. As such, the company generates a lot of waste. For fourteen years, Kroger has been publishing its annual Environmental, Social, and Governance report that has outlined a strategic plan to meet it Zero Hunger/Zero Waste sustainability goals.

One of those goals was announced in late August of 2018: the company will phase out single-use plastic bags across its family of stores by 2025. Kroger’s QFC division, which ran the pilot program, was the first to phase out single-use plastic bags in 2019. Kroger’s Corporate Affairs, Retail Operations, and Sourcing teams are developing a phase out timeline for the next five years, with input from other stakeholders. This is very good news for those concerned about the environmental impact of single-use plastic.

In an effort to help combat single-use plastic waste, several of Kroger’s plastic packaging items–in addition to many other items–are recyclable in the plastic film recycling containers located in Kroger store entrances. The collected items are recycled into new items, like composite lumber and decking. The following items are accepted:

• Single-use plastic grocery bags
• Stretch wrap
• Bread bags
• Produce bags
• Plastic overwrap for toilet paper, napkins and paper towel
• Plastic overwrap packaging on diapers
• Plastic overwrap on bulk items in cases (e.g. water bottles, snacks)
• Dry cleaning bags
• Plastic retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
• Newspaper sleeves/bags
• Clean and dry plastic food storage bags (e.g. Ziploc bags)
• Tyvek house wrap (with glue, labels or other materials removed)
• Plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap and air pillows (deflated with labels removed)
• All clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4 (polyethylene film)

Some estimates suggest that 100 billion single-use plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. every year. Currently, less than five percent of plastic bags are recycled annually in America, and single-use plastic bags are the fifth-most common single-use plastic found in the environment by magnitude. By recycling our single-use plastic waste at a local Kroger store, we can all begin to make an impact in this every-growing environmental problem.

No school year is complete without a field trip or two and the Bluegrass Greensource educators have been happily out in the field (quite literally) this month! In partnership with the Live Green Lexington education program, we have taken students on virtual field trips all across Fayette County. First graders explored McConnell Springs to learn about trees and the wildlife they support. They were able to look inside the hollow 300 year old bur oak tree which is not only older than Lexington itself, but home to raccoons, snakes, birds, and an infinite number of insects. The second grade classes toured the compost pad with LFUCG’s Joe Brenzel. He explained how yardwaste is brought in to be composted back into nutrient-rich soil. The second grade series focuses on soil superheros (decomposers) so it was great to see that process in action! Third graders joined Joe on a trip to the Materials Recovery Facility for an inside look at how our recycling is sorted and shipped. Our third graders are now recycling experts! The fourth grade classes took virtual trips to FloraCliff Nature Preserve with the director, Beverly James, and citizen scientist, Dan Patrick. Students observed both chemical and biological assessments of the water quality in Elk Lick Creek. Educators Kara Sayles and Rachel Patton did a great job of demonstrating how pH, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen are important indicators of water’s immediate quality. Then we walked upstream where Dan and Beverly rounded up some amazing macroinvertebrates like crayfish, caddisflies, water pennies, and scuds. These give us a bigger picture of the water system’s long term health. We are so appreciative of all our community partners and the exciting and engaging opportunities they help us provide for our students!

Bluegrass Greensource is excited to partner with the Office of Energy Policy to develop a unique energy based curriculum for preschoolers. There are a variety of curriculum options beginning at the kindergarten level but preschool is a unique opportunity to expose our youngest learners to the core basics of how energy moves, works, and transforms! This eight part series will include lessons on wind, water, and solar energy sources, simple machines, plants, animals, electricity, and conservation. The BGGS education team is designing a robust variety of cross-curricular activities to integrate math, science, language, music, art and movement. The curriculum also provides extensions for students to share at home. The series follows national and state standards for preschool education and considers the thematic schedule used by HeadStart. A teacher advisory board will launch the content in classrooms via a pilot program over the course of the 2020-21 school year. 

We are excited to announce GreenFest 2020, presented this year by our friends at PNC! Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s GreenFest will be free to participants and will take place completely online, with four nights of workshops happening across two weeks. Mark your calendars for October 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

GreenFest 2020 will have 24 different sessions, including: vegetable seed saving, intro to printmaking, making green cleaners, end-of-season garden maintenance, how to make a rain barrel, backyard bird feeding, zero waste shopping, and many more. We will have make-and-take sessions, as well as tours of local sustainability sites. Stay tuned for registration details and announcements of additional workshop sessions.

 This fall, our environmental educators are busy adapting to the changes brought about by Covid-19. We are eager to meet with teachers and students virtually! Read on to learn about our programs and how we can work with you.

• LFUCG Environmental Education: Our virtual program offers classrooms in Fayette County the opportunity to take a “field trip” and learn about Waste Management or Water Quality within our city. Contact Pattie at pattie@bgGreensource.org to schedule lessons and a field trip with us!
• Junior Nature Explorers: Preschool classrooms in our service region can join us to discover some of the unique animals, plants, and ecosystems around us! Our education staff will meet virtually with the students of preschool teachers who participated in our March 2020 teacher workshop. Check out our Junior Nature Explorers site for activities and resources. Stay tuned for information about our next teacher workshop and contact Rachel at rachel@bgGreensource.org to learn more!
• Division of Water: Bluegrass Greensource will continue to be a resource in classrooms in  Clark Runs, Hanging Fork, and Hinkston Creek watersheds. We will engage students virtually through online videos, Google Classroom activities, and Zoom. Objectives include educating students about septic systems, riparian zones, and watersheds, and how to protect each of those to improve water quality in Central Kentucky. For classrooms in Bourbon, Montgomery, and Nicholas Counties, contact Kara Sayles;  kara@bggreensource.org. For classrooms in Boyle and Lincoln Counties, contact Deb Larkin; deb@bggreensource.org.
• Toyota Energy Education: Students in Central Kentucky learn about renewable and nonrenewable energy resources in this unit of energy education. Contact Elaine Collins: Elaine@bggreensource.org
• Preschool Energy Curriculum: Alongside experienced preschool teachers, Bluegrass Greensource will develop and pilot an energy curriculum for preschoolers. 
• Junior Green Living Labs: Stay tuned for details about our Junior Green Living Labs coming soon! Preschool students and their parents/guardians will discover and explore all things energy!
• Science Fair:  We are piloting this science fair preparation program with one classroom. This program is designed to guide students through the steps of scientific inquiry and assist in preparation for a science fair while learning about energy resources.
• Dupree: Take a virtual hike through The Nature Conservancy’s preserves located along the Kentucky River. Learn about settlement in the area, common Kentucky animals and plants. Contact: Pattie Stivender, Pattie@bggreensource.org. 
• Litter Programs in Lincoln and Garrard Counties: Bluegrass Greensource is supplying weekly handouts and materials for litter related activities in NTI packets distributed by 21st Century to registered students in the after school programs in all seven schools in Lincoln County during the month of September, as well as links for virtual activities on their facebook page. After September, the schools will be offered new virtual activities each month. Contact: Deb Larkin; deb@bggreensource.org 
• Litter Program in Scott County: Let’s Learn About Litter with Ms Deb! Ms. Deb is reading books about litter in this collection of videos. This video series is for primary students. Contact: Pattie Stivender, Pattie@bggreensource.org to schedule.

Also, check out our newest online resources for Environmental Education at home at: 

Connecting Community and Water
The pages on the Watershed Based Education Site contain resources for families, homeowners, and teachers to explore and learn more about local watersheds and how to improve them. The site offers information about resources that Bluegrass Greensource promotes throughout Central Kentucky to engage homeowners in hands-on projects to improve their own watershed, along with grant opportunities to help fund best management practices to improve water quality.

By: BGGS Water Quality Action Team

The Lexington Parking Authority in collaboration with CDP Engineers are proud to announce the completion of a stormwater treatment system in the Helix Garage. Last year, Lexington Parking was awarded an LFUCG Stormwater Grant for the project which had a proposed cost of $300,000, with LPA paying 20% of the final cost. The goal of the treatment system is to capture and treat most of the runoff from the garage that contains oils, greases, chemicals, and road salts.

Prior to the installation of the treatment system this runoff emptied directly into Town Branch. Now, the polluted water is routed through two oil/water separator tanks which filter out impurities before it is released into the Town Branch. The visible element of the treatment system is a new area of vividly colored permeable concrete at the center of the helix exit ramp. This area filters rainwater through a limestone gravel base layer before sending it to the second oil/water separator for additional treatment. This element replaced an area of exiting concrete and soil with a functional design feature thus adding to the overall aesthetic of the helix. (See photo below.)

This project allowed Lexington Parking to upgrade the existing garage AND improve the water quality of the stormwater released to the historic and culturally significant Town Branch watershed. Lexington Parking is a leader in the community with its commitment to improve our water quality. Lexington’s Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program is entering its tenth year of funding projects to reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality and educate citizens about water issues in Lexington. Applications and more information about the program can be found at: www.lexingtonky.gov/stormwater-incentive-grant-program.

Learn What Is Happening
Get Involved 
By: BGGS Energy Efficiency & Climate Change Action Team

Click here for a list of Kentucky groups working on our crises in climate, energy, and environmental justice.  We have compiled this list for people who would like to get involved in climate action, and for those who would like to connect their work to what others are doing. We can learn from each other and strengthen our efforts with potentially powerful alliances.

Bluegrass Greensource is excited to announce extensions to our existing energy programs. Thanks to funding from the Office of Energy Policy we are offering four new energy related programs.

Energy Efficiency Workshops
Bluegrass Greensource will be leading 10 energy efficiency workshops in Central Kentucky. Participants will learn from experts in the field of energy and will receive materials to help their homes be more energy efficient. Educational materials and energy efficiency materials will be provided to 250 households.

Junior Green Living Labs
Bluegrass Greensource will build on its very successful Green Living Lab adult series and offer weekend “Mommy (or Daddy) and Me” workshops that focus on Energy for the Central Kentucky Region. BGGS staff will lead six two-hour sessions designed to engage preschool age learners and their parents in hands-on energy activities. BGGS will take our Junior Green Living Labs on the road, leading two different workshops in three counties. Each lab will feature several learning activities, an age-appropriate energy themed book reading, and a snack. The activities will be created to help parents understand Kentucky’s energy systems while also engaging preschool learners through readings, and hands-on activities. All participants will leave with a copy of the book and the materials related to their hands-on activity. Up to 20 participants can participate in each lab.

Preschool Energy Curriculum
Over the past few years, Bluegrass Greensource has developed a robust preschool program. This year we will expand our focus to include energy education. Our education staff will work with a preschool education advisory committee to develop an energy curriculum that will follow state and national early childhood education standards. All lessons will include extensions that enhance student academic, physical, and social development. The teacher advisory committee will evaluate and pilot the curriculum. BGGS looks forward to sharing the curriculum next year!

Science Fair Preparation
Bluegrass Greensource will work with one grade level to provide energy education and science fair preparation. All students in this program will attend a presentation on the history of energy in Kentucky and will participate in a hands-on energy activity. A select group of students will participate in additional sessions where educators will guide them through all the steps of scientific investigation while conducting energy-related science fair experiments. This program will provide all supplies needed to complete experiments and will provide assistance throughout the process.