Environmental Education: Another Piece of the Puzzle

Environmental Education:

Another Piece of the Puzzle

Projects & Practices

Regulations & Laws

People

Choices

Actions

Support

Environmental Education

Inform

Persuade

Remind

Inform

Phosphorus in fertilizer, yard waste and pet waste feeds algae in our lakes.

Stormwater runoff travels through storm sewers to lakes, streams and wetlands.

Everyone lives in a watershed.

Here are steps to reduce runoff.

Persuade

It’s the right thing to do.

Because my neighbor does.

Because I said so.

It’s easy.

It’s in my (my children’s, my community’s, my country’s) best interest

Remind

Repeat to be “heard.”

Remind to reinforce the message.

But don’t forget about the “goats” (i.e. don’t nag).

Environmental Quality Fair

Yard & Garden Expo

City Sampler

Music In Plymouth

Metro Blooms rain garden workshops

Workshops for councils, commissions and businesses.

Environmental Champion awards

Adopt-A-Storm Drain

Shingle Creek Clean Up

Blue Thumb volunteers

Event volunteers

Arbor Day and recycling presentations

Environmental Quality Faircurriculum offerings

Water quality presentations

Plymouth Forestry

Plymouth Parks & Recreation

Plymouth Recycling

Plymouth schools

Lake associations

Blue Thumb

Watershed organizations

Hennepin County

Three Rivers Park District

Surveys

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Use an electric or reel mower to cut the lawn

Reduced lawn by replacing with lower maintenance plantings

Have a rainwater garden

Have a rain barrel

Sweep up grass clippings from diveway and sidewalks

Compost in their backyard

2007

2010

Approximately 80% of respondents have a yard. Actions reported:

Lawn Care Practices

Environmental issue facing Hennepin County of greatest importance

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Protecting water resources

Addressing global warming/climate

change

Conserving energy

Preserving natural spaces

Improving air quality

Providing proper waste

management

2007

2010

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Clean Water Action Event Survey

Margie Vigoren, Environmental Education Coordinator

City of Plymouth