Calendar

September 2010

September 5 - Deadline to register for PBS Kids 2010 TrasH to Treasure Competition. Click here to see the contest flyer, official rules and to register. Have fun turning your trash into treasure by recycling, reusing, and re-engineering everyday materials into out-of-the box inventions. You may even get on TV!

September 15 - Deadline to Submit Palmetto Pride Tree Grant Application. PalmettoPride is donating trees to be used in beautification projects around the state.  Click here for Tree Grant eligibility and guidelines or click here to download the application.

September 21 - Kick off for the first SC green building Student Design Competition. Teachers will be paired with mentors (architects, engineers, construction managers) to work with a team of 5th - 8th grade students at their school. Tuesday, Sept 21 from 4-5:30 pm at the USC Green Dorm, Room 102. Registration required. Contact: jane.hiller@sonoco.com

October 2010

October 13 - Environmental Crimes Seminar. Registration begins at 8:15 am, Seminar is 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at Ndoki Lodge, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. This seminar will explain the types of conduct that can be considered environmental crimes in South Carolina and how these crimes are reported, prosecuted and punished. It will be very useful for law enforcement personnel, business leaders, conservationists and concerned citizens. $15 for advance registration / $20 at the door. Lunch is provided. For more information or to register click here.

October 14 - Sc Green Steps schools training session for school leaders and mentors. Thursday, October 14 from 4-5pm at Sonoco Recycling Education Center. RSVP jane.hiller@sonoco.com.

October 15 - Deadline to submit Palmetto Pride LItter Trashes Everyone Education Grant Application. Involve your students in activities that educate the importance of keeping their state clean and attractive. Click here for more information or click here to download the application.

October 15 - Deadline to submit Application for DHEC's Champions of the Environment Grant.  This is a competitive grant award program and eight projects will receive a $2,000 grant to implement environmental projects that involve K-12 students. A limited number of Seedling grants will also be available for runner-up projects. Click here for additional information and an application. Click here to see the DHEC Overall 2010 Champions of the Environment and click below the photo to see all the 2009-2010 grant winners and their videos.

October 22 - Wildlife: Animal Spoor. 3:30-4:30 pm. What is "spoor" and what does it tell us about local wildlife? Make-and-take craft included at this Conservation Station Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for directions and more information or call 803-459-3212.

October 23 - Garden Chemistry. 9-11 am. Quick! What does pH mean? Explore the concept of pH with a fun chemistry experiment and discover what pH has to do with gardening at this Carolina Children's Garden Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for directions and more information or call 803-459-3212.

October 26 through November 2 - Sandhill Fall festival. Clemson University's Sandhill Research and Education Center will host the first annual "Sandhill Fall Festival" at their Northeast Columbia campus. The event will run from October 26 thru November 2. Visitors will enjoy a family focused event celebrating the autumn season. Activities will include: a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, haunted house, carnival rides, and live bands. Please click here to learn more and to see the daily Festival schedule.

October 29 - "SPARE THE AIR" contest Entries due. Contest is open to Lexington County 5th-7th grade students in public, private and home schools. Lexington County in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the S.C. Department of Education is holding the first Spare the Air Calendar Contest to increase awareness of air quality issues in South Carolina. The top 12 winners will have their original artwork in the 2011 Spare the Air Calendar and receive a prize! Click here for full details and links to the Program Flyer, Guidelines, Entry Form and Clean Air Teachers Guide and Evaluation Form.

November 2010
Through November 2 - Sandhill Fall Festival. Clemson University's Sandhill Research and Education Center will host the first annual "Sandhill Fall Festival" at their Northeast Columbia campus. The event will run from October 26 thru November 2. Visitors will enjoy a family focused event celebrating the autumn season. Activities will include: a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, haunted house, carnival rides, and live bands. Please click here to learn more and to see the daily Festival schedule.

November 4 - Oconee County Green Steps Training and EEASC "Meet and Greet". Clemson Extension Office (301 W. South Broad Street, Walhalla, SC) 3:30-5:30 pm. EEASC (Environmental Education Association of SC) "Meet and Greet" Drop in from 3:30-5:30 pm with Oconee County apples as a treat! Green Steps Schools Training at 4:00 pm. RSVP cathyfoster@greenleafedu.com or call Cathy Reas-Foster at 864.202.5602.

November 5 - Green Steps Training at SC2. 12-1:45 pm. North Myrtle Beach Conference Center
Session 222 Ball Room C. For more information about the South Carolina Science Council (SC)2 Fall 2010 conference click here.

November 5 - Soil Conservation. 3:30-4:30 pm. What's the "dirt" on dirt? Build a soil profile, explore erosion and soil conservation techniques, and classify soils based on their characteristics at this Conservation Station Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for directions and more information or call 803.459.3212.

November 6 - "ReThink" Contest Entries Due. Richland County K-12 students are encouraged to participate in a "Rethink" Contest by creating projects from "reclaimed" materials. Teachers, parents, or students can register a project prior to November 6th by submitting a digital picture of the project along with a brief student written description to jane.hiller@sonoco.com. Students must bring their own project for judging by 12 noon Saturday, November 13th to the Sonoco Recycling table at Richland County's America Recycles Day Event at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center (900 Clemson Road; across from the Village of Sandhills). Monetary prizes ($100, $75, and $50) will be given to the top three student winners.

November 9 - Pickens County Green Steps Training and EEASC "Meet and Greet". Pickens Elementary School in Pickens. 3:00-5:00 pm. Green Steps Schools training session for school leaders and mentors in Pickens County and surrounding areas. EEASC (Environmental Education Association of SC) "Meet & Greet" Session 3:00-5:00 PM. Green Steps Training begins at 4:00 PM. Snacks provided.
RSVP Cathy Reas-Foster at cathyfoster@greenleafedu.com or call 864.202.5062. Click here to visit the Pickens Elementary website (choose "Find Us" for directions.)

November 9 - Launch of EMission on Facebook. DoSomething.org, in partnership with the EPA, will launch a fun, environmentally focused online game on Facebook titled eMission. This game will give kids and others the chance to compete with each other on how well they are protecting their own habitat by taking environmental actions—both online and off—to help prevent climate change. Gamers will even have the chance to win a $2,000 award to use for college expenses. Stay tuned on Facebook for the official launch and look for a link to the game so you can start protecting your environment!

November 13 - Richland County Celebrates America Recycles Day. Click here for more information. Click here to find out how you and your school can have fun and help the environment!

November 15 - Deadline to submit drawings for the Keep the Midlands beautiful lose the baggage Bag design contest. 5-11 year olds in Lexington and Richland Counties are encouraged to submit drawings. The winning design will be printed on limited edition reusable bags! Visit www.losethebaggage.org for more information or click here for the entry form and contest guidelines.

November 20 - E-Waste and Gently Used Shoes Recycling Event. Keyboards, mice, wires, circuit boards, CPUs, scanners, printers, TVs and all other electronics PLUS bring in gently worn shoes to benefit Soles4Souls! Sponsored by the City of Greenville Solid Waste Division and Greater Greenville Sanitation Commission. For more info click here or call 864.467.8300.

November 19 - January 2 - Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas. As part of the Lights event this year Riverbanks Zoo will be recycling incandescent lights strands. There will be recycling locations both inside and outside the park. Also, during Lights SCEG will be providing Lowes coupons for $3 off LED light strands so bring your strands (working or not!) and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same! Click here for more information about Riverbanks' Annual Holiday Event.

November 20 - Resources and Recycling. 9:00-11:00 am. Everyone knows that recycling is important, but why?  Participants will study the science of recycling, then explore creative ways to recycle everyday items at this Carolina Children's Garden Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register call 803-459-3212 or e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com with your name, your child's name and age, and a phone number and/or e-mail address at which you can be reached in case of a change in plans.  All programs are weather dependent. For more information click here.

November 30 - Terracycle's Dream Machine Recycle Rally. The Dream Machine Recycle Rally is part of the larger Dream Machine program - a collaboration between PepsiCo®, Waste Management® and Keep America Beautiful®, utilizing www.greenopolis.com - that is focused on recycling non alcoholic plastic bottles and aluminum cans with the help of schools like yours. It is very easy and absolutely FREE to participate! What's even better is that if you apply for the program by November 30, 2010, your school may be eligible to participate in the Dream Green School Makeover contest worth $100,000 and the monthly Green Leader sweepstakes. Click here to visit the Dream Machine Recycle Rally website and find out all the details.

December 2010

December 4 - Wreath-Making Workshop (for Children and Adults!). 2:00-4:00 pm. Make wreaths from natural materials and decorate them for the holidays using objects found in nature at this Carolina Children's Garden Workshop. Take one home and create a second to donate to a local nursing home. $2 per person (children 2 and under free). Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register call 803-459-3212 or e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com with your name, your child's name and age, and a phone number and/or e-mail address at which you can be reached in case of a change in plans. All programs are weather dependent. For more information click here.

December 9 - Holiday Open House and Make and Take Workshop. Thursday, Dec 2 from 2-5pm at Sonoco Recycling Education Center. RSVP jane.hiller@sonoco.com.

December 17 - Deadline to enter the 2010 Robert Bateman Get to know Contest. This art, writing and photography contest is open to any US resident aged 18 or under. Video entries will be accepted from youth anywhere in the world. 2010 is International Year of Biodiversity, a global celebration of the remarkable diversity of plant and animal life on earth. Commemorate this special year by entering the Get to Know Contest! The Get to Know Team invites you to go outdoors – or to a local zoo or aquarium – and get to know your wild neighbors. While you are there, allow your wild neighbors to inspire you to create art, writing, photography or videography (new for 2010!). If your work is selected as a winner you could win some wild prizes! Art and writing winners will have their work published in the 2012 U.S. Get to Know Contest Calendar. Click here for more information.

December 21 - Carolina Children's Garden Holiday Celebration. 10am until noon. FREE family event to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy crafts, games, and a winter walk through the Children's Garden. Drop by when you can...bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a morning in nature. The Trading Post will be open. Click here for more information. (This was RESCHEDULED due to the weather forecast for rain Saturday - all Carolina Children's Garden programs are weather-dependent - always check their website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for last minute details).

December 21 - Welcome Winter. 2:00-4:00 pm. Can you explain the reason for the seasons? Make a fruit model of the solar system and learn how other cultures, both modern and historical, commemorate the winter solstice at this Carolina Children's Garden Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register call 803-459-3212 or e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com with your name, your child's name and age, and a phone number and/or e-mail address at which you can be reached in case of a change in plans. All programs are weather dependent. Click here for more information.

December 31 - Deadline to submit application for NIckelodeon's the big Help Grant Program. Click here for more information if you work with students in an elementary or middle school grades K-9 (public or private not-for-profit) or an after-school community-based organization with 501(c)(3) status serving kids age 5-15.

2011 - International Year of Trees. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. For more information click here.

January 2011

January 13 - Green Steps Training and EEASC Meet and Greet. 4:00-5:00 pm Environmental Education Association of SC (EEASC) Meet and Greet and 5:00-6:00 pm SC Green Steps Schools Training Session at Sonoco Recycling Education Center, 1132 Idlewilde Boulevard, Columbia, SC. RSVP jane.hiller@sonoco.com.

January 17 - A Winter Walk. 10:00 am-Noon (MLK Day). Take a guided walk through the woods and around the ponds at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center to discover what nature is up to at midwinter. $2 per child; no strollers. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com to register or visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for more information. Programs are outdoor events and, as such, are weatherdependent.

January 28 - 5:00 pm Deadline to submit Nominations for the Carolina Recycling Associations 2011 Awards Ceremony. The Outstanding School Program Award honors outstanding school (K-12) recycling programs that promote waste reduction, reuse, and recycling throughout the school. Criteria for selection include: strong education component, innovative or unique aspects, waste reduction component, green purchasing and/or buy-recycle component (if applicable), student involvement, and materials/amounts recycled. School program must have been in operation for one year. There are numerous other award categories including Very Important Person (VIP)!

Do you know a person, program or project that is deserving of recognition by the Carolina Recycling Association? Self-nominations are acceptable and encouraged. Enter now! For more details click here.

February 2011

February is National Bird-Feeding Month. This national event was created to advance and publicize the wild bird feeding and watching hobby. The theme for 2011 is "Most Wanted - America's Top Ten Backyard Birds." Click here for general information or click here for Activities for Educators.

February 10 - EdVenture Monarch Monitoring Workshop. 4:00-5:30 pm. 4th – 12th grade teachers will learn about the amazing monarch butterfly and how they can include the study of its migration patterns and population into their science curriculum while contributing to a national monarch research project. Workshop is Free! Registration required – limited to 25. Must register by Monday, February 7, 2011. To register call 803.400.1151 or email tdozier@edventure.org.

February 19 - Great Backyard Bird Count at the Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center. 8:00 am-10:00 am. Join for a morning of birding as staff and volunteers participate in the North American Great Backyard Bird Count. Experienced birders will team up with novices to collect data that will aid in research and conservation efforts. Refreshments, crafts, and an education table will be available. FREE; families welcome. Register in advance. Children must be
accompanied by an adult. Contact 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com to register or visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for more information. Programs are outdoor events and, as such, are weatherdependent.

February 19-21 - The 14th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. To: Learn about how easy it is to participate; Enter your data; Explore your results online; Enter the photo contest; and Win prizes! visit www.birdcount.org.

February 21 - February Forestry. 3:00-4:00 pm (President's Day). How does a tree grow? Investigate the life cycles of trees, learn to interpret growth rings, and practice identifying local trees. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 4-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com to register or visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for more information. Programs are outdoor events and, as such, are weatherdependent.

February 23 - Free Webinar hosted by the National Wildlife Federation. 4:00 pm EST. In 2011 National Wildlife Federation is celebrating its 75th anniversary the week of March 14-20 (see March 14 entry below). This free webinar is being hosted to introduce educators to the themes, materials and activities available for National Wildlife Week. Plan now to join the celebration! Click here to view the NWF announcement.

March 2011

March 1 - Deadline for World of 7 Billion Video Contest. All high school students are challenged to create 30-second video public service announcement (PSA) that illustrates the impacts of a large and growing human population as it relates to one of the following: Energy, Water, Land Use, Public Health, or Economics. Cash prizes will be awarded. Click here for more information. TEACHERS: If at least ten of your students choose to enter the World of 7 Billion contest, you are eligible to receive a free set of Population Education resources - click here to find out more.

ARCHIVED ON 9/7/10 - verbage change per email from DHEC: DHEC's Champions of the Environment Grant ProgramSouth Carolina's K-12 teachers, students and environmental educators can apply for a $2000 grant. The deadline for applications is January 15 and September 15 each year. There are five grants available each grant cycle. Some deserving projects that do not receive a grant will be offered a Merit Award of $400 to help start the project. The Champions’ application form is a fillable Word document that is best submitted by email. Click here to learn more and download the application form.

March 8 - Deadline to register for the Teen Phone Book Sculpture Contest. See below for information about the March 12 Keep the Midlands Beautiful event.

March 12 - Teen Phone Book Sculpture Contest. 3:00-4:30 pm. Young adult teams (ages 14-18) sponsored by a school, faith based organization, civic group, or other institution based in Lexington or Richland Counties are encouraged to participate in this GOOD.CLEAN.FUN event sponsored by Keep the Midlands Beautiful. Teams of at least three and no more than seven members must register by March 8. Click here for details and entry forms.

March 12 - SC State Museum Garage Sale! 8:00 am - 10:00 am • State Museum Members Only Sale
10:00 am - 1:00 pm • Public Sale. No Museum admission required to shop. Fun and unusual props and graphics from past exhibits, including: Miniature 1700s French war ship • Football signage • Napoleon puppet • Street banners & graphic panels • Larger-than-life pirate figures • Chevy wall sculpture • MUCH, MUCH MORE! For more information, click here.

March 14-20 - National Wildlife Week. National Wildlife Federation is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2011. To mark this milestone the focus of National Wildlife Week will be all about wildlife - the wildlife NWF has worked to protect for 75 years and the wildlife they are still working to protect today. NWF will provide free downloadable posters, fun activities and project ideas for every day of the week. NWF is offering a free webinar on Wednesday, February 23rd, at 4:00pm EST to introduce educators to the themes, materials and activities available for National Wildlife Week (see entry at Feb 23 above). Join the celebration! To visit the the National Wildlife Federation website click here.

March 15 - An Evening for Educators. 4:30 pm. Lexington County, S.C. DHEC, S.C. Green Steps Schools and the Columbia Museum of Art are hosting an Evening for Educators to educate teachers on air quality. The program will begin at 4:30 at the Columbia Museum of Art. You can stay abreast of air quality in South Carolina by learning more about the air quality index and signing up to receive the air quality forecast. Participating teachers will also make a set of air quality alert flags that their school can use to notify students and parents of the daily air quality forecast in your community. Seating is limited so register early by contacting Synithia Williams, Lexington County Environmental Coordinator, at 803-785-8634 or swilliams@lex-co.com.

March 19 - Nature Walk with the SC Wildlife Federation. 10:00 am at the Carolina Children's Garden on the grounds of the Clemson University Sandhill Research & Education Center (900 Clemson Road). The FREE guided Family Nature Walk is being led by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. SCWF has teamed up with the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department and the Richland Conservation District to offer 2 guided Family Nature Walks in March. There is no fee for the walk, but advance registration is required. Call 803.609.4778 or email sara@scwf.org.  <<Note: RSVP to Sara at SCWF, not to Chanda at Sandhill!>> For more information click here to access the the SCWF website.

March 20 - Deadline to enter the Lenticels in the Lens Photography Contest. Submit your digital photos of lenticels, which are pore-like structures present on the surfaces of plants, to carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com for a chance to win a field guide to trees and have your work featured on the Children's Garden website and garden bulletin board. Awards will be given in three categories: Youth (ages 12 and under), Teens (ages 13-18), and Adults (ages 19 and up). Limit 3 submissions per photographer. Include the photographer's name, age (or age category), and the date and location of each photograph in the text of the e-mail. Other details, such as the tree type or camera specifications, are encouraged but not required. To learn more about lenticals read "Lens on Lenticals" and "Stopping to Smell the Flowers". 

March 20 - Spring Fling at the Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center. 2:00-4:00 pm (Spring Equinox). Join as we welcome spring! Enjoy crafts, games, and fun spring gardening projects. FREE; families welcome. Register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com to register or visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for more information. Programs are outdoor events and, as such, are weatherdependent.

March 23 - Introduction to Eco-Schools USA. 5:00 pm EST. FREE webinar. For details email: eco-schoolsusa@nwf.org.

March 26 - Keep the Midlands Beautiful Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale. 9:00 am-3:00 pm at the Harbison Sam's Club parking lot (350 Harbison Blvd). Compost bins: $45. Rain barrels: $60. Click here for more information.

March 26 - Butterfly Gardening. 10:00 am-Noon. Study the life cycle of the butterfly, learn about the differences between butterflies and moths, and discover how you can attract butterflies to your own home through strategic planting. Make-and-take craft included. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 4-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com to register or for more information visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. Programs are outdoor events and, as such, are weatherdependent.

March 26 - Sandhill Green Community Yard Sale. 8:00 am-2:00 pm at the Sandhill REC (Farmers Market location), 900 Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229. Vendors Needed! Make money for your family, non-profit, club or church group. Schools or businesses-get rid of unwanted equipment. A 10'x10' space is just $20.00. Tables are available for rent, no advertising, high traffic area on Clemson Road, family atmosphere, no commercial vendors. Donate leftovers to charity. Click here for application and details, or call 803.699.3190 or 803.788.5700. Proceeds from vendor registrations benefit the Sandhill Research and Education Center. Rain Date:  April 2.

March 26 - Nature Walk with the SC Wildlife Federation. 10:00 am at the north entrance to Riverfront Park (4120 River Drive). The FREE guided Family Nature Walk is being led by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. SCWF has teamed up with the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department and the Richland Conservation District to offer 2 guided Family Nature Walks in March. There is no fee for the walk, but advance registration is required. Call 803.609.4778 or email sara@scwf.org. For more information click here to access the the SCWF website.

March 30 - Palmetto Pride Art Contest. The 2010 - 2011 school year marks the first year of the Palmetto Pride Art Contest. Contests are open to all K-12 South Carolina students. All entries must be received no later than March 30, 2011. Winners will be announced April 22. For more information click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

April 2011

The cicadas are coming!  The cicadas are coming! South Carolina is expecting a big emergence of 13-year cicadas this spring and summer--please help scientists track the emergence by joining Cicada Watch! Click here for more information and to find out how to report your sightings. The first confirmed emergence wins a prize!

April 9 - Storybook Painting Party (a special Winnie-the-Pooh themed celebration!)
Featuring a PETTING ZOO, BEEKEEPER, STORY TIME, ART PROJECTS, GAMES, and REFRESHMENTS!. 2:00-4:00 pm (Rain date: Saturday, April 16, 2-4 pm) at the Carolina Children's Garden. FREE for the whole family! Recommended for ages 3 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult. Washable paint in use.  Register in advance by contacting 803‐459‐3212 or carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com or visit www.carolinachildrensgarden.org for more information.

April 13 - Nature’s Partners: Pollinators, Plants and People. A free, interactive program that will be broadcast and webcast live from 11 a.m. to noon Eastern Time in English and noon to 1 p.m. in Spanish. Geared to grades 4-8, the program is interactive so classrooms will be able to send in their questions during the broadcast to be answered by experts. In addition, there will be pop quiz questions that students may answer online and the answers and results will be provided during the program. An all-star cast of scientists and educators will be explaining pollination, plant-insect interactions, how to study pollinators, their importance to the food supply, and what people can do to help. For more information, visit PollinatorLIVE a distance learning adventure. 

April 16 - Green Community Yard Sale at the Clemson Sandhill REC. 8 am - 2 pm. Shop for great deals or register to be a vendor at www.clemson.edu/sandhill -- this is a great way to make money for your school or group! Vendor registration is only $20. Call 788-5700 for details.

April 25 through 29 - Plant Sale at Heyward Career Center Greenhouse. 9 am - 5 pm. 3560 Lynhaven Drive / Columbia, SC 29204. Plants are raised by Richland One students: annuals, perennials, hanging plants, house plants, herbs, vegetables.

April 29-30 - Sparkleberry Country Fair and Master Gardener Plant Sale! Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center. April 29th (amusement rides only); April 30th from 9 am until 10 pm (full fair). Admission is $5 per carload and all proceeds from admissions go to local students! For more details see www.sparkleberryfair.com.

May 2011

May - World Wetlands Month. Click here for more information.

May 1 - Deadline For all Green Steps Schools to submit Project Worksheet Part B.

May 5 - Deadline to enter Discovery Education's TurfMutt "Landscapes Across America" Contest for grades 3 - 5. Investigate your local ecosystem with your class for the chance to win exciting eco-friendly prizes including a $5,000 grant for your classroom and trees planted in your honor. All your class needs to do is submit a slideshow with descriptions and digital photos to demonstrate the unique ecosystem and landscapes of your local region. Click here for more details.

May 7 - Deadline to apply For Keep the Midlands Beautiful 2011-2012 Student aDvisory Board for rising 9th - 12th graders. Click here for Expectations and information on How to Apply.

May 9 - REGISTER by May 9 for Early Bird Registration Rates to the 2011 EEASC Conference See JUNE 10-12 listing below or click here for more details.

May 15 - Deadline For Mentors to submit their Green Steps Annual Updates.

June 2011

June 4 - Peachtree Rock Family Nature Walk, Lexington. 10:00 am. Learn about nature in your neighborhood by bringing the whole family out for a guided nature walk! The South Carolina Wildlife Federation has teamed up with the City of Columbia and the Richland County Conservation Commission to offer two guided Family Nature Walks in the Columbia area in June. There is no fee for the walks, but advance registration is required. For details and information click here. To register email Sara Green or call 803.609.4778.

June 6 - Green Steps Training at Edventure. 3:00-4:15 pm. Register with jane.hiller@sonoco.com.

June 10 - Deadline to enter the Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder contest. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Generations United, the Dance Exchange, National Center for Creative Aging, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are hosting a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest. Entries must be from a team of two or more persons, a young person and an older person. The creative work should express the "Sense of Wonder" that your team feels for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes. Click here for more information.

June 10-12 - Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) Conference"Environmental Literacy in Action" Learn it-Do it. Details and registration at www.EEinSC.org.

June 11 - Green Steps Training at the EEASC Conference. Green Steps Teacher/Mentor Training 9:00-11:00 am. Green Steps Teachers and Kids 11:00 am - noon. Seabrook Island, SC. To register for this free training contact jane.hiller@sonoco.com. To register for more of this family friendly, fun and affordable EEASC Conference visit www.eeconference.org.

June 13 - Green Steps Training at Edventure. 3:00-4:15 pm. Register with jane.hiller@sonoco.com

June 18 - Sesquicentennial State Park Family Nature Walk, Columbia. 10:00 am. Learn about nature in your neighborhood by bringing the whole family out for a guided nature walk! The South Carolina Wildlife Federation has teamed up with the City of Columbia and the Richland County Conservation Commission to offer two guided Family Nature Walks in the Columbia area in June. There is no fee for the walks, but advance registration is required. For details and information click here. To register email Sara Green or call 803.609.4778.

June 20 - Green Steps Training at Edventure. 3:00-4:15 pm. Register with jane.hiller@sonoco.com

June 22 - "Take Action Today" Workshop. A one-day, comprehensive environmental education workshop for South Carolina educators provided at no cost to teachers by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling.“Take Action Today” materials and lessons are from “Action for a cleaner tomorrow” (“Action”) – a national award-winning K-12th grade, activity-based, interdisciplinary, environmental curriculum supplement. “Action” is correlated to the state’s science standards.

This year’s workshop will focus on waste reduction and recycling issues, the Champions of the Environment program and a recap of the high school environmental science pilot program. Recipients of the Take Action Today Awards will be recognized - please consider nominating your school. The SC Green Step Schools Award Ceremony will take place and Green Steps plaques will be updated/handed out. Click here to register. Please note space is limited to 200 teachers, so register early. Questions, call 1.800.768.7348 or email Elizabeth Rosinski.

July 2011

July 27 - Sc Green Steps schools training. 11:00 am-noon. Kimbel Center, Hobcaw Barony, 22 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown, SC. This Green Steps training is a part of the Nature-Based Inquiry Institute (closed registration), guests are welcome to attend the Green Steps training segment. To register for the Green Steps training, e-mail Jane Hiller.

September 2011

September 15 - Deadline to apply for PalmettoPride Tree Grant. Click here for more information and a link to the application.

September 19 - Trout in the Classroom. Teachers Take Note! Expose your students to a world of wonder. Let your students raise trout from eggs to fingerlings. Students can be responsible for daily care and maintenance of the fish. All that is asked is that you use the tanks as a teaching tool and turn in lesson plans with the correlating standards as to how you are going to use the Trout in the Classroom! To apply for your classroom to have the Trout in the Classroom program during the 2011-2012 school year, download the application and return to Lorianne Riggin via mail at PO Box 167 Columbia, SC 29202 no later than September 19th. Only teachers who teach in school districts in the following counties are eligible: Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Lexington and Richland. For more information click here.

September 23- Deadline for Richland County K-2 teachers to submit a Notice of Intent to compete in the Richland County 2011 Farm-City Week Bulletin Board competition; only the first 25 teachers to submit this Notice will be eligible for the participation prize. SEE October 28 (below) for more information.

September 30 - Deadline to apply for DHEC's Recycling Education Grant Program. This grant program is available to schools to promote awareness of solid waste issues, including the need to reduce the solid waste we generate, and to recycle whenever we can. All projects are required to include a used oil awareness project. Any SC K-12 public or private school may apply on its own or school districts may apply on behalf of their schools. Applications must be completed by school or district staff. Grant awards are competitive and funding is limited to $1,500. Applications must be submitted to the Office by 5 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2011. Postmark dates will NOT be taken into consideration. For more information, e-mail Sharon Thompson, coordinator of the Recycling Education Grant Program for the Office or click here.

September 30 - Deadline to apply for GreenWorks! Grants. Click here for information.

October 2011

October 6 - EEASC Meet and Greet / Sc Green Steps schools training. 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Sonoco Recycling Education Center / 1132 Idlewilde Blvd / Columbia, SC 29201. RSVP jane.hiller@sonoco.com.

October 10 - "The Natural World: What a Wonderful Creation" by Rudy Mancke. 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Dreher High School Auditorium, Columbia, SC. Rudy Mancke, long-time host of SCETV's "Nature Scene", will be speaking at a free public forum on the importance of caring for creation. South Carolina's premier naturalist, Mancke, with his trademark conversational style and overflowing enthusiasm, will impart his perspective and stories about caring for our natural world. The Monday evening program is free to the public, thanks to its sponsor, Greenhaven Preserve, and hosts, Sustainable Midlands, the City of Columbia Climate Protection Action Committee, and the Environment & Sustainability Program at USC. Mancke, a native of Spartanburg, is the naturalist in residence at the University of South Carolina.  He hosted NatureScene, one of ETV's most successful and enduring programs for 23 years, and can be heard on Nature Notes daily on ETV radio. For more information, contact Sustainable Midlands at  ryan@sustainablemidlands.org or 803-381-8747.   

October 10 - Deadline to enroll your school/classroom in 'Recycle Bowl'. Calling all competitors! Do you have what it takes to be a recycling champion? Show off your best moves in the first-ever nationwide recycling competition for K-12 schools! Deadline may be extended - please check their website for details. For more information click here.

OCtober 14 - Deadline to apply for Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants. The Fall 2011 cycle is now open. The deadline for submitting applications for this grant cycle is October 14, 2011. However, if 1500 applications are received before the application deadline, then the application process will close. For more information click here.

October 15 - Deadline to apply for DHEC's champions of the Environment Program Awards. DHEC's Champions of the Environment program awards money to K-12 students and teachers. Projects must address one or more of the following: prevention or reduction of pollution in the air, water or land; waste reduction; recycling, restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; water or energy efficiency. Projects also must educate the community and make a lasting difference to the environment. Grantees get a cash award to use for their project, a 30-second TV commercial about the project as well as being highlighted on the Champions’ Web site. Merit and Seedling awards also will be available. Applications are due October 15, 2011 and grants are awarded in November. For more information click here.

October 15 - Deadline to apply for PalmettoPride Litter Trashes Everyone Education Grant. Click here for more information and here for the application.

October 15 - EEASC members and families: interpretive hike at Peach Tree Rock Preserve in Lexington county. 10:00 am. The 2-3 mile Hike will be led by SC Native Plant Society member Wayne Grooms. Participants will learn about the unique natural and cultural history, geology, and management of this Nature Conservancy property in the Sandhills region. Members and families will eat their own packed lunch and water around noon. There are no restroom facilities. RSVP to Matt Schnabel at mhschnabel@hotmail.com

October 28- Richland County 2011 Farm-City Week Competitions. The Richland County Farm-City Committee is sponsoring a series of competitions for Richland County K-12 students. The topic for the 2011 Richland County Farm-City Week is Sustainable Agriculture. Click here to review the complete competition announcements and rules. All submissions are due by October 28th (K-2 teachers must submit a Notice of Intent to compete in the Bulletin Board competition by September 23rd).

November 2011

NOvember 1 - Why Safe Routes to School matters: safety, Transportation and health issues. 11:30 am - 4:30 pm. Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive, Blythewood, SC 29229. Nationally Certified Safe Routes to School Instructors will be visiting the Columbia, SC 
area and providing a condensed workshop for those interested in learning more about the SRTS program. This course will include: Perspectives from local stakeholders; Engineering strategies; Encouragement and education strategies; Enforcement strategies; Guided observation of local school campus and student behavior during dismissal; Identification of potential problems and solutions; and How communities are making SRTS happen. The course is FREE but space is limited. Register now by calling 855.4SC.SRTS or email Nicole Brown at Nicole@SCsaferoutes.org. Please dress comfortably. The course is interactive and will include a walk audit around a nearby school. Don't miss the chance to learn everything there is to know about Safe Routes to School!     

NOvember 7 - Deadline to apply for Lowcountry Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Youth Environmental Education Grant Program 2011. The Lowcountry RC&D Youth Environmental Education Grant Program was created to encourage and enhance natural resources education for South Carolina’s young adults. The Youth Education Committee will award grants up to $2000 to promote, enhance, or assist with environmental education programs for youth. Applications must be mailed (no faxes or emails) and must be the original application—no photocopies will be accepted. All grant recipients will be required to submit an article to the local news media with a copy to Lowcountry RC&D to justify use of grant funds. For the application and more information contact Lowcountry RC&D at (843) 549-5596 or email lcolson@lowcountry.com.

NOvember 12 - America Recycles Day Family Fair. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Clemson Research Center (across from Sandhills Shopping Center). Two Contests: Contest #1: The Richland County School with the most students and teachers signing in will win $500 to spend on an eco project. Contest #2: The student who brings in the winning "trash -to-treasure" entry for the RETHINK Contest will win $100 cash. Projects are due by 11am and must be made by students from items usually thrown away. The winner will be announced at noon.

NOvember 16 - Green Steps Training. 3:10 pm. Prosperity/Rykart Elementary School, Prosperity, SC. RSVP to Jane Hiller.

NOvember 17 - Green Steps Training and Meet & greet for EEASC (Environmental Education Association of SC). 4:00-6:00 pm. Spartanburg County Headquarters Library in the Barrett Room. RSVP to Alissa Ritzo.

NOvember 18 - Free All Day Project Learning Tree Workshop. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia. RSVP: beasleyt@heathwood.org.

November 18 - 24 - National Farm-City Week. Since 1955, the national Farm-City Council has promoted awareness of the interdependence between farms and cities. Each year, the President of the United States proclaims the week leading up to Thanksgiving as Farm-City Week, and communities across the nation celebrate the importance of agriculture and the connections between rural and urban areas. This year, Farm-City Week will be observed Nov 18-24. In conjunction with National Farm-City Week, the Richland County Farm-City Committee is sponsoring a series of competitions for Richland County K-12 students. The topic for the 2011 Richland County Farm-City Week is Sustainable Agriculture. Click here for more information.

December 2011

December 1 - PART A of Green Steps Worksheet is due. For more information click here.

December 2 - South Carolina Arbor Day.

December 2 - EEASC Meet & greet / Green Steps Training. 4:00-6:00 pm. Pickens County Museum of Art & History, 307 Johnson Street, Pickens, SC 29671. RSVP to Cathy Reas Foster.

December 8 - EEASC Meet & greet / Green Steps Training. 4:00-5:30 pm. Moore Intermediate School, 1101 Cheraw Drive, Florence, SC 29501. RSVP to Terasa Young.

December 15 - Green Steps Fall Mentor Report is due.

January 2012 

January 20 - DonorsChoose submission deadline for "Funding for 3rd through 8th Grade Public School Classrooms to Execute Projects to Benefit the Environment!". 1) What’s available? Disney's Planet Challenge is offering a Double Your Impact match offer for hands-on environmental project(s) submitted by 3rd through 8th grade teachers requesting up to $650 in materials. 2) Who qualifies? If you are a full-time 3rd through 8th grade teacher at a public school, you can qualify for this funding! 3) How do I participate? There are two easy steps to qualify for this funding: First, log in to your teacher account on DonorsChoose.org (if you don’t have one, any public school teacher can sign up at www.donorschoose.org/teacher). Once you’re logged in, submit one or more hands-on project requests focused on benefiting the environment including up to $650 in materials each. Projects must engage students directly in benefitting the environment through water conservation and watershed protection, recycling, composting, restoring/creating community gardens, etc. 4) Then what happens? Within a week of project approval, if your projects meets the above criteria, you will see a Disney's Planet Challenge logo on your project page. This means it has qualified for this match offer and now has a great chance of being fully funded by the other donors that visit the donorschoose.org site.            

January 21 - Owl Detectives at the Carolina Children's Garden and Conservation Station. 1:00-2:00 pm. Explore the secret lives of owls with this hands-on program. Learn about real owls that live in our area and explore the secrets of the woods by examining clues in owl pellets. Dissecting owl pellets will reveal the organisms the owl relies on. Recommended for students 1st grade and older. Cost: $2 per child. For questions or to sign up email Tim Nafziger or call (803) 459-3212.

January 23 - Green Steps Training and EEASC (Environmental Educators of South Carolina) Meet and Greet. 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm. A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering at 420 Westfield St., Greenville, SC 29601 (3rd Floor Master Lab). Please contact Jane Hiller or Ed Falco for any questions you may have.

January 26 - Tracking at the Carolina Children's Garden and Conservation Station. 3:45-4:30 pm. Learn how to spot the signs animals leave behind. Discover what animals have been visiting our tracking pit and make plaster casts of the tracks. Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Cost: $2 per child. For questions or to sign up email Tim Nafziger or call (803) 459-3212.

January 27 - Deadline to register for the Coaches' Workshop for the 2012 south Carolina Envirothon. The Coaches’ Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 4 and will be held at the Sandhill Institute for Economic & Community Development near Pontiac. (Northeast Columbia). There is No Charge for this training! A coach also does not have to commit to bringing a team to the May 4 SC Envirothon competition in order to attend the training. For more information about the 2012 South Carolina Envirothon click here. Click here for the Coaches’ Training Registration Form.

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Congratulations to Spartanburg High School

SC Team Places 3rd in the 2011 Canon Envirothon Competition. The Canon Envirothon is North America's largest environmental education for high school students.

SC's Envirothon sponsored team, Spartanburg High School, accomplished what no other team from SC ever has…they placed in the top 5 at the Canon competition that was held this summer in New Brunswick, Canada. The team placed 3rd overall after oral presentations, tied for first place in Soils, and each team member was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from Canon at the Awards Ceremony.

Spartanburg High competed against teams from 44 other states and 9 Canadian Provinces. Manitoba came in 1st, Ontario 2nd, South Carolina 3rd, New Brunswick 4th and Connecticut 5th. This is quite an accomplishment for Spartanburg and for South Carolina. For more information about the Envirothon in South Carolina contact SC Envirothon Coordinator Joy Sullivan.

In Memory of Diane Marlow . . . beloved mentor and friend - - - JULY 7, 2011

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.