Education Spotlight: Dupree Nature Reserve

By Kyle Hager, AmeriCorps VISTA Member

As an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Bluegrass Greensource, my primary duties often have me behind the scenes and in the office. But from time to time, I get to tag along with BGGS’ enthusiastic and capable environmental educators. These outings provide invaluable insights into the impact hands-on science education can have on young minds. My recent involvement in field trips to the Dupree Nature Preserve has reminded me of the importance of access to green spaces, to knowledgeable mentors, and to well-facilitated instruction. 

I got the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt activity in which I led groups of third and fourth grade students from Camp Dick and Nicholasville Elementary, along a trail through tall grass and forested area near the Kentucky River. Students were keen to observe and interact with real-life samples of plants, rocks, birds, mantises, and even spiders. Additionally, students were able to provide some of their own expertise, identifying tracks where animals such as deer had moved through the area, drawing on their own experiences with hiking and hunting.

Students also participated in miniature raft-building exercises, interacted with animal pelts and skulls, and learned about watersheds by creating their own in a pan. The teachers that accompanied the students on the field trips told me that this is one of their favorite outings of the year because it is often the only opportunity that many of the students get to access and learn about green spaces in a meaningful way. And the beautiful idea that struck me was that these students were not just going on yet another nature tour, but rather critically observing and interacting with their environment in a way that transcends a traditional classroom. Mushrooms growing on trees, the lay of the land, the flow of water, the buoyancy of a twig, all become powerful educational opportunities.

I’m grateful to have been a part of the Dupree Days activities, and to witness the curiosity and enthusiasm of young Kentucky students. It is my hope that BGGS and The Nature Conservancy can continue to provide educational programs like these in order to ensure that our young learners have purposeful learning opportunities outside the four walls of a classroom. And maybe I’ll get to escape the office and learn a thing or two myself!

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Green Check Spotlight – Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes

By Noel Osborn, Outreach Specialist, Bluegrass Greensource

Last month the Green Check program held its annual recognition ceremony to honor newly certified members.  One of the newest members, Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes, has gone above and beyond in the area of waste reduction and recycling.  

A basic recycling program is required of all Green Check businesses.  However, Broomwagon has always looked for ways to reuse as many materials as possible. Take for example their outdoor seating area.  Along with picnic tables and a sustainability staple rain barrel, patrons may notice the garden that grows several ingredients used for delicious menu items.  These garden boxes and baseboards are constructed using recycled wood.  Broomwagon also uses recycled wood for kitchen and store shelving.  Additionally, the cases and furniture used to display items for sale are reused pieces. And of course, they recycle bicycle materials such as scrap metal and rubber tires.

For more information on Broomwagon and their leadership in sustainability check out the Green Check website here

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Join Us For Family Volunteer Day and Win Two Tickets to Disney World!

By Ashley Bryant Cheney, Program Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator, Bluegrass Greensource

Bluegrass Greensource is proud to announce our participation in a global day of service for families.  Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods.  Why do family volunteerism?  Volunteering instills in kids, teens, and parents a sense of community and togetherness.  It’s so important to give back to the community.  Volunteering is a great way for kids and adults to make new friends, develop compassion for their neighbors, and even pick up a new skill or two!

Bluegrass Greensource is hoping to recruit 75 volunteers to work together to improve an empty water quality lot at 862 Furlong Drive.  Projects for this event include planting 20 trees and shrubs, painting two storm drain murals, and conducting a neighborhood wide litter clean-up.  Family Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, November 18th, from 1-3pm.   So, kick off the holiday season the weekend before Thanksgiving, with loved ones and an act of volunteerism with Bluegrass Greensource.

Family Volunteer Day is brought to you by generationOn and Disney. As part of this event, Bluegrass Greensource will be giving away two Disney World Park Hopper tickets – one entry per volunteer. To enter, pre-register for the volunteer event by clicking here, and then show up on November 18th to volunteer.

Don’t forget to bring your family!

 

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Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Emily Manier: 4th and 5th Grade Science Teacher at Crab Orchard Elementary

By Deb Larkin, Environmental Educator, Bluegrass Greensource 

Emily Manier grew up near Crab Orchard, KY.  She attended Crab Orchard Elementary from Kindergarten through 8th grade.  Her goal, from the time she realized that she wanted to teach, was to come back and teach at her alma mater, her “home” school.  Her teachers there had inspired her, and after graduating from Berea College, she came back.  She has always loved the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the compassion shown the children at the school.  “The school is just small enough that you get to know the students well even before they get to your grade level”, she says.  All three of her own children have now graduated from 5th Grade at Crab Orchard Elementary.

She feels that the “Leader in Me” and “Crayons to College” programs, as well as partnerships with outside organizations like 4-H and Bluegrass GreenSource, help their students branch out and find the leadership qualities that make them successful.  She says that “these wonderful resources allow our students to learn, broaden their perspectives, and be active in their community.” 

Ms. Manier has worked with Bluegrass GreenSource for the last 8 years of her 18 years teaching at Crab Orchard Elementary.  I have worked with her Science classes for 7 of those years, with monthly classes focused on Recycling (she sponsors the Recycling Team), Litter Abatement (her students do an annual litter clean up of the school grounds) and Water Quality.  This year her classes will also be participating in BGGS’s DEDI and Toyota Energy programs.  Working with Ms. Manier and her students is a highlight of each month for me.   They exemplify the “friendly, welcoming atmosphere” and an excitement about learning that keep me looking forward to returning.  Ms. Manier is carrying on the tradition as an inspiration for her students.

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Bluegrass Greensource Welcomes New Staff Members

Kyle Hager – AmeriCorps VISTA 

Kyle is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer member serving Bluegrass Greensource. He was raised in Owingsville, Kentucky, and has spent the last several years abroad in Spain and in San Francisco. He holds a BA in History and Philosophy (Morehead State University), and a MA in Linguistics (San Francisco State University), which he uses to inform his approach environmental ethics and communication. He enjoys playing mandolin, making candles, biking, nature photography, and trying to identify birds and plants. 

 

John Paul Beard – Community Education Intern

John Paul was hired as the Community Education Intern at Bluegrass Greensource. He was raised in a small town about 30 minutes outside of Lexington called Wilmore. He attended Bluegrass Community Technical College as an Environmental Science Technology student and gained an Associate Degree in Science. He is now attending the University of Kentucky as a Natural Resource and Environmental Science student. He works with members of Seedleaf to take care of the New Start Garden. John Paul also recently finished up working with the BCTC Balloon Team, a NASA sponsored research team focused on live streaming the total solar eclipse. He enjoys music festivals, taking care of his dog Bella, and hiking, gardening, or anything that brings him outdoors. 

 

Jennifer Lancaster – Public Relations Intern

Jennifer has many interests and several roles in Lexington, KY. She is pursuing a MA in French at the University of Kentucky, she helps to manage the London Ferrill Community Garden with Seedleaf, she works as a private piano instructor on the side, and now she has the pleasure of joining Bluegrass Greensource as their Public Relation Intern. She received her BA from Transylvania University in English Literature and French Language and Literature in 2013. When she has free time, she enjoys wandering in the Red River Gorge or in the Pinnacles in Berea. 

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Green Check Pilot Program Wins Green Initiative Award

By Noel Osborn, Outreach Specialist, Bluegrass Greensource  

Commerce Lexington recently held its annual Salute to Small Business Awards. One of the 8 awards presented, the Green Initiative Award, honors small businesses that have prioritized the implementation of sustainable practices. According to the official criteria, demonstrated practices must include; “written policies, goals and metrics for green practices, provision or use of alternative energy and/or energy efficient products or services, or produce or manufacture a green product or service.”

This year’s Green Initiative Award was presented to Green Check Pilot Business, Bullhorn Creative.  Some of the initiatives that were highlighted at the ceremony include Bullhorn’s offering of a free bike to new employees, the composting of food waste, use of recycled office materials, and the conveniently located bike parking that is also made of recycled bike wheel frames.

You can learn more about Commerce Lexington’s Salute to Small Business Awards and Bullhorn Creative here.

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Back to School with Bluegrass Greensource

By: Danny Woolums, Environmental Educator, Bluegrass Greensource 

Every year, Bluegrass Greensource educators spend August and September meeting with teachers throughout our 20-county service region. This year is no exception, as we bring back some of our most popular programs and meet with many, new, and exciting educators.

Recycling
Greensource educators work hard to help Central Kentuckians understand the impacts of solid waste on our environment, while finding ways to reduce our use of resources. For schools in Anderson, Fayette, Franklin, and Shelby counties, BGGS is available to teach students the dos and don’ts of recycling. Special thanks to the City of Lexington, Republic Services, and Waste Haulers of the Bluegrass for providing these opportunities to the students they serve!

Water
New this year is an exciting project focusing on the West Hickman Creek watershed in Fayette County. Bluegrass Greensource is working with community partners to “formulate a plan for increased watershed outreach, engagement and water quality improvement efforts in the West Hickman Creek Watershed.” To find a way to get involved on behalf of your school, check out Live Green Lexington’s events page on Facebook!

If you’re looking for general classroom water education, we have lessons discussing erosion, earth’s features, human-impact, adaptations, and more. We look closely to the NGSS to make sure our science experiences are as relevant as you need them!

Energy
Thanks to funding by Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky (TMMK) and the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence (DEDI), Central Kentucky students get an opportunity to learn about energy transformations, engineering practices, and societal impacts of our energy use! If you’re looking for a great way to teach your students, make sure to give us a call!

Litter
Did you know that a cigarette butt can take 10 years to break down when flicked out of a car window? Did you know that animals sometimes ingest plastic bags thinking that they are prey? If you didn’t, you’re not alone! Many of the city and county governments in our region offer education through Bluegrass Greensource on reducing impacts of litter on our local waterways and environment! From stormdrain stenciling to tabletop models, we are ready to engage your classroom in conservation efforts!

If you’re interested in having one of our educators visit your classroom, give us a call or send an email to info@BgGreensource.org to connect to our passionate team!

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Welcome, Noel!

Welcome, Noel!

We are thrilled to welcome Noel Osborn to the Bluegrass Greensource team as our new Outreach Specialist! She will be working with adults throughout Fayette County and our service area to provide resources and education to promote sustainability at home and work. Noel will also work closely with the City of Lexington’s GreenCheck program. Click here to reach her by email!

Noel comes to Bluegrass Greensource with a background in politics, with experience in the Kentucky General Assembly and in Washington D.C. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. Noel chose to focus her career on environmental issues and enjoys educating people on the many ways they can make minor changes to create a big impact. She also enjoys hunting for 1970’s vinyl and watching old episodes of Saturday Night Live. 

 

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Outreach Spotlight: Cultural Orientation with Kentucky Refugee Ministries

RobBy: Rob Gates
Outreach Specialist
Bluegrass Greensource

For refugees making the arduous journey to the United States, learning to deal with constant change becomes an imperative skill. While arriving at their final destination might signal the end of one particular journey, it brings a brand new set of unique changes. During this adjustment period, every day presents new challenges, which we often take for granted, such as paying rent and utilities, navigating transportation systems, and even dealing with a new weather climate. These challenges are further exacerbated by language and cultural barriers making the transition all the more daunting. Thankfully, local nonprofit organization, Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) has made it their mission to assist refugees in navigating these challenges and provide the resources they need to adapt to their new home in the Bluegrass.

One of the most valuable resources KRM offers are weekly Cultural Orientation courses to support refugees in their transition to the United States. KRM Partners with local organizations to present a wide range of topics ranging from housing, banking and finances, fire safety, and even using the library. On Friday, April 14th Bluegrass Greensource received the unique opportunity to present at the weekly Cultural Orientation class regarding environmental issues within Lexington and Fayette County.

During the orientation, I presented to a group of 25 individuals representing Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Participants learned about the importance of energy efficiency and simple tips and improvements that can help increase home energy efficiency and comfort while saving money on utility bills. The group then learned about the recycling process in Lexington through an interactive sorting game where they raced against the clock to divide materials into recyclables and landfill bound waste. The presentation concluded with a lesson on how to properly store and dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) materials to protect sanitary sewers and local water quality. Afterwards, the group took part in a recap quiz with prizes such as LED light bulbs, weather stripping, and caulk guns that they could utilize to increase efficiency and save money in their own homes.

Throughout the presentation, interpreters for each group translated the materials in real time, making for a unique and engaging learning environment for everyone involved. This invaluable resource (from KRM language volunteers) made it possible to reach an entirely new subset of the Lexington/Fayette County population that was previously inaccessible due to language barriers. This was a unique opportunity for Bluegrass Greensource to share the importance of environmental literacy and reinforce the message that small changes can lead to big impacts for our local environment and the world as a whole. 

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Thank You for Supporting Environmental Education During Earth Month!

By: Chris Porter
Bluegrass Greensource
Development Director

April was Earth Month, and it was wonderful to see all of the many Central Kentuckians who came out to improve their local environments before, on, or just after Earth Day. Whether through Main Street Clean Sweep, Arbor Day, Reforest the Bluegrass, or other efforts, it’s always inspiring to see so many in the Bluegrass getting involved.

Two fundraising events also took place during Earth Month – Kentucky Gives Day and Charity of the Month for Don Jacobs (link to site?) – that saw Central Kentuckians showing their support for a sustainable local environment. All funds received through these April events will go directly to supporting Greensource’s work to educate and connect residents with the resources necessary to make a positive change in their local environment. In 2016, we had more than 108,000 contacts with Central Kentucky adults and youth, and we worked directly in more than 4,000 classrooms. Thank you to everyone who made a gift to Bluegrass Greensource or who supported our work through a litter clean up or other community activity!

Forgot to make a gift in April? No worries –click here to show your support for environmental education and outreach today!

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