This presentation was created by Dr. Jeff Ashley

Philadelphia University

An Introduction to Environmental Action Projects

(L121)

Environmental Action Projects are a way for you to engage directly with the environmental

issues you are studying in class.

You can see how well the concepts you read about in the text are put into practice by environmental agencies as well as learning what is needed to take care of our Earth.

Hands-on learning results in:

• more discussion in class•more interest in textbook ideas

•better grades•potential summer jobs

•boosts lifelong involvement in the environment

There are lots of different environmental projects to choose from as you’ll seein this presentation…..

Environmental ActionProjects:

Off-CampusOpportunities

“The most surprising part of the project for me was seeing how large an impact geese have have on a community…I didn’t realize they pollutedour drinking water” - Carla Curcuru, L121 Student

Philadelphia WaterDepartment

Ft. Mifflin

Environmental Education and Habitat RestorationFormer students designed lessons for children highlighting

noise pollution, measure water quality, and learned about dredging.

Science Education at Neighboring Elementary Schools

“Helping to teach younger students about waterpollution was an exhilarating experience because theyneed to learn about the environment they live in and

how to take care of it” - Alison Crouse, L121 Student

Fairmont ParkTacony Park

Wissahickon Park

Trail MaintenanceInvasive Species Control

Water Quality Monitoring

Philadelphia Zoo

“…a typical day starts at 9 am…once you arrive you aregiven a task such as helping clean the birds

of prey house or working with the animals outside” - Paula Castro, L121 Student

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

Help preserve a tidalwetland or maintain the trials

Soil Testing atSchuylkill Valley

Nature Center

“I learned that while a forestmay look like every other forest,and may seem healthy, everyforest is different and may be internally, as deep as its roots,unhealthy” - Ed Drazek, L121 Student

“it is very important toaid the injured animals andkeep their population numbers high” - Lauren Pidone, L121 Student

Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

“At the end of the day, I would look back at what we did thatday and I couldn’t believe our progress…more of these facilities would be enriching for the area…they provide

rain soakage, promote wildlife, and give people a chanceto get away from the rush of the city” - Thomas Beck, L121 Student

Fairmont Park

HorticulturalCenter

Trail MaintenanceHabitat Restoration

Environmental EducationSpring Tree Planting

The “Live Butterfly Exhibit” at the Academyof Natural Science in Center City Philadelphia allows L121 students to interact and educate

visitors about butterfly conservation.

Patrick Center for Environmental Research

Help Chemists,Biochemists, and Ecologists with theirEnvironmental Research

Hawk Watch (Fall Semester Only)

“…I was happy to knowthere was a chancethat the raptor countings I made could help in determining which specieswere endangered” - Dennis Lussier, L121 Student

Environmental ActionProjects:

On-CampusOpportunities

Design and Implement an EffectiveCampusRecycling Program

Help design, plant and maintain a butterfly garden

on the Philadelphia University Campus

On Campus Butterfly Garden

“The Lower Merion Conservancy acts to protect our area's natural and historic resources, open space, and watersheds for area residents and future generations. Through education, advocacy, and research, the Conservancy promotes collective responsibility for these resources.” - LMC Website

Evaluate the critters collected fromstreams to assess water quality

Pennsylvania Resource Council

Help compile and evaluateweb sites that deal with environmental issues.

This information will then be used by educators as

teaching aids.

You may choose to do an “Independent Environmental Action Project”

How?TALK to your Env. Action Project Coordinator for suggestions

Find an agency/organization that deals with someaspect of the environment and contact them!

Look around our campus; What should we be doing differently?

What types of agencies/organizations?

Some examples from past L121 classes are….

Brigatine, NJ, Beach Clean-up

“The more people that help out, the sooner we can find away to clean our waterways” - Loren Christianson, L121 Student

Pennypack Environmental Center

Habitat Restoration, Trail Maintenance, Invasive Species ControlDesign contest (Spring, 2001 only)

SEAC's Mission, pronounced "seek," is a student and youth run national network of progressive organizations and

individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education.

Student Environmental Action Coalition

Environmental Activism Opportunities

For Example:

WetlandRestoration atFt. McHenry (National

Aquarium of Baltimore)

Environmental/Science Education at Local Museums

Overloaded with

information?

Relax and followthese 6 easy steps….

1) choose an environmental project at the “Official Sign-Up” 2) go to the project weekly as outlined in class

3) actively participate in the project activities and document what you are doing (eg take notes, create drawings or take photographs)

4) research your environmental issue in the library and on the web

5) write a short reflection paper about your experience

6) present a professional quality poster to the campus community about what you learned

HOW DO I GET TO MY SITE?

Write this information down:

•SEPTA Hotline 215-580-7800•SEPTA Webpage: http://www.septa.com/•SEPTA map posted with all sites listed on the bulletin board across from Search 310

NEED HELP?

The ON-CAMPUS coordinators are here to help you.

•friendly and happy to answer your questions•each coordinator visits the sites •face-to-face problem solving during the office ghours in Search Hall•feedback and ideas on independent projects

Remember:

Be professional, courteous, and dedicated

Learn something while doing something great for our environment

And have fun!