Local Environmental Issues Research

Local Environmental Issues Research

“The conservationist’s most important task, if we are to save the earth, is to educate.” – Peter Scott

Here is a list to get you started with your local environmental issue research!

You have about 30 minutes to look through these websites.  Take notes and be ready to contribute ideas about what kinds of environmental issues we are facing in Boulder County.

As we are heading towards selecting an issue that we want to address as a class in our action project it is important to gather as much information as possible to make a good decision.  This time, in combination with the other work we have done in class, is your time to become informed.

Feel free to visit other local websites if you know some, but please start here.

Local Environmental Websites

·         9News Live Green Website: http://www.9news.com/advertorial/livegreen/ 

·         Sierra Club Green Life Website: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/

·         Go Green In the Classroom: http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/06/23/50-ways-to-go-green-in-the-classroom/

·         Greenprint Denver Website: http://www.greenprintdenver.org/ 

·         CU Environmental Center Website: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/index.html

·         Partners For A Clean Environment Website: http://www.pacepartners.com/

·         Rocky Mountain Institute Website: http://www.rmi.org/defaultHTM.php

·         Rocky Mountain Sierra Club Website: http://www.rmc.sierraclub.org/index.shtml

·         Center for Resource Conservation Website: http://www.conservationcenter.org/

·         Boulder County Going Local: www.bouldercountygoinglocal.com 

·         Center for Resource Conservation: http://www.conservationcenter.org/

·         Boulder County Public Health: http://www.bouldercounty.org/health/environ/water/

·         Open Space and Mountain Parks : www.osmp.org

1st Web Journal Assignment

This is your first web journal for Fall 2008!  Please take the time to respond fully to the following questions.

I have included the grading guidelines below:

Grading and Expectations: The standard 4, 3, 2, 1 grading scale outlined in the syllabus will apply to these required journal entries. I expect you to put at least 15-30 minutes of time thinking about the question, writing and editing your response, and posting your comment. Comments that contain 2 paragraphs of well articulated thoughts with no spelling or grammar errors will receive a grade of a 4. If your journal entry is only 1 or 2 sentences you have not spent the time, energy, and level of thought I am looking for and will receive a grade of a 2 or 1. Because this is a public forum, proofreading, spelling, and grammar are key!

Questions:

1. Welcome to the Community Adventure Program,  Now that you have an overview of the class and have a basic understanding of what we will be doing this quarter, what are you looking forward to?

2. What is "the environment" to you?

Pre-Course Survey, 1st Quarter 2008

Welcome to the Community Adventure Program. Before we get started, we
need to get some feedback about your outdoor experience, your thoughts
about the environment, your community, etc. Please answer this survey
honestly and to the best of your ability. The good folks who fund this
class use this information to assess the performance of the class and
this information will help us acquire new grants. Please Click Here To Take The Survey.

Introducing Paige Doughty

Hi there!

My name is Paige Doughty.  I am the new Community Adventure Program instructor for New Vista.  I am thrilled to work with high school students and can’t wait to get started.

A little about me…

I am a writer, an artist, and an environmental educator. I am always looking for ways to blend my creative passions with my deep commitment to education towards a sustainable culture.

As a high school student I attended an amazing place called the School of Environmental Studies (SES).  It changed my life.  The school and teachers there opened my eyes to the magic of the natural world, and helped me understand what learning is all about.

I first came to Boulder in 1998 to attend CU.  I studied English Literature and French Language, and fell in love with the Rocky Mountains.

After completing my undergraduate degrees I moved to Sydney, Australia where I got a Graduate Diploma in Education.  I taught high school and middle school English, French, and Speech and Communication at the American International School of Sydney (AIS).

It was a great adventure to live in Australia but what teaching truly taught me was something I already knew (funny how that works isn’t it?).  Through teaching I re-discovered and decided to act on one of my passions in life: making the earth a healthier happier place for all beings, and working with high school aged students to do so.

With this in mind I returned to school to work towards my Master’s degree in Environmental Education with Lesley University and the Audubon Expedition Institute. This field-based graduate program took me on quite a journey!  Since 2005 I called a tent my home  for three semesters, worked at Living On Earth as an environmental journalist, acted as the Program Coordinator for The Green Streets Initiative, a grassroots organization, was a teacher / naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and moved from the east coast back to the Rocky Mountains I love.

I look forward to this next journey of working with CAP!