Starting a Green Team at School

Click here to view the Powerpoint presentation "Starting a Green Team at School" by DHEC's Paul Wojoski from the June 24, 2009 Take Action Today workshop.

Breathe Better Prevents Air Pollution!

DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality is happy to report that THOUSANDS of pounds of harmful air pollution have been kept out of the atmosphere thanks to participants in the Breathe Better (B2) program.  Specifically, all B2 schools combined have prevented 5500 pounds of asthma-inducing pollutants, nearly 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and smaller amounts of other toxic pollutants that can harm children’s health.  The bus drivers also saved the state 9000 gallons of diesel through their participation.  All that from just turning off engines! 

To learn more about the Breathe Better program and get involved, visit www.scdhec.gov/b2.

High School Students Invited to Submit Entries for Green Your School Contest

The Student Conservation Association's Green Your School Contest is a national competition to stimulate and/or identify conservation service projects designed by high school students that improve or restore or beautify or conserve their high school environment. To be eligible, projects must have been started after August 1st, 2008. The Contest submission phase begins on April 1, 2009, and will end at 11:59 pm ET October 9, 2009. Winners will be announced on or around November 15, 2009. Click here to learn more.

Enter the Funky Nests Challenge

For the Funky Nests in Funky Places challenge, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology wants you to take photos, do a painting, write a story, or shoot a video showing a bird’s nest built in some out-of-the-way or out-of-this-world place.When observing nests please be sure to avoid touching them or disturbing the birds. Click here for more information.

Rain Barrels Available from the Richland Conservation District

Collecting rainwater for your garden is a smart idea, no matter what your motivation. If drought is a problem where you live, collecting rainwater is a good way to deal with watering restrictions. If you're on a city water system, you stand to save a considerable amount of money. Click here to learn more about rain barrels. The Richland Conservation District (located at 2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A in Columbia) is selling a rain barrel system for $90.00. To purchase a rain barrel, e-mail Charlie Fisher or call 803-576-2080.

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