Yu-Fai Siu, Architecture
Environmental Education (EE)
is a very important factor in order to have a successful and sustainable
environment in Washington State University (WSU) and Pullman, Washington.
In general, some people do not know what can be done to help our environment
be more sustainable; they just are not aware or do not have access to effective
ways for achieving a sustainable environment. Therefore, EE can be
a bridge for helping people achieve a healthier environment. However,
some people will just feel EE is too scientific. They do not have
any interest in it or do not even want to touch it. In order to break
the psychological block in the mind set of these people, an interesting
way to promote EE is needed. One of the most effective solutions
is to get people really involved in the human and environmental improvements
of their own community. In this way, they can take ownership
and have fun with each activity. The participation of people can
be fostered by having effective community activities.
Community activity can influence
people in Environmental Education in many ways. They can build up
their knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of the environment. Community
activity should be held for all ages. They can be held by the city
(Pullman), the university (WSU), groups and/or organizations, families,
and even individuals. There are many community activities that can
enhance a successful and sustainable environment. Actually, there
are some wonderful community activities that have been developed in Pullman.
All of them have enhansed people’s awareness of the environment and have
made significant improvements throughout WSU and Pullman.
Indicators, Strategies and Benefits
The indicators (I's in bold and underlined) measure progress towards achieving successful envionment education programs. The strategies (S's in bold) are recommended actions to improve each indicator. The I's and S's are followed by a statement of benefits.
I.3. Increase EE throughout the Community.
S.3.a. Provide for EE in the city.
The city can help provide
numerious community activity for Environmental Education. The city
can provide some space for holding EE such as city hall for displaying
or having discussions about the environment. In terms of fun, a playground
is a place for giving an opportunity to receive EE by holding some games.
In addition, the city can act as an information center for convenient sources
of information. The city could also provide help such as funding
to some individuals, groups and/or organizations.
S.3.b. Get more involvement of EE in the university.
The university can also
do a lot for Environmental Education. It is already providing many
EE classes in different departments and schools. Leadership could
step forward to foster more involvement of EE. Also, the city and
WSU could make more connections with local schools in town and ask volunteers
to help with some basic ideas of EE to students in different levels of
education. They can show some things which can be easily done in
everyday life, in a very convenient way. As a result, people will
improve their awareness and attitudes about improving the surrounding environment.
Also, the university can sponsor environmental competitions to challenge
students to get involved with EE.
In 1996, a wonderful
project was held at Franklin Elementary School in Pullman. The project
was developed by a third grade teacher, Rosalie Harms. She invited
architects Sandy Satterlee and Katherine Keane to help develop a series
of architecture classes for the third graders during the year. The
goal of the project was to educate young children to architecture and dealing
with the environment (Keane, 1997). They created a wonderful
revitalization proposal for the downtown area. The proposal was presented
to the city, displayed downtown and created many positive article in the
local newspapers. Probably of equal importance, the students learned
about how they can get involued in improving their community.
The environmental science
clubs in the university can hold some activities such as tree planting
day for students actually working towards the resolution of a sustainable
environment. Actually, the Center of Environmental Education at WSU
had many environmental projects for the Palouse. On September 13th,
they had 16 volunteers do a riparian revegetation project along the South
Fork Palouse River. On September 17th, there were about
40 volunteers to revegetate a riparian buffer zone along Paradise Creek.
Nearly 400 native plants were planted in their ongoing efforts to improve
water quality and habitat in the Palouse River watershed. On October
18th, nearly 20 volunteers planted 100 trees and shrubs along
the S. Fork Palouse River. On October 25th, about 30 volunteers
from WSU and U of I planted 160 trees and shrubs along Dry Creek across
from the Pullman post office and Paradise Creek.
S.3.c. Have EE through environmental groups and/or organizations.
Another great opportunity
to have a community activity for Environmental Education is from the local
environmental groups and/or organizations. Usually, they are not-for-profit
groups held by volunteers who really care about the environment and who
work for a successful and sustainable environment. They often provide
some kinds of environmental activities in town in order to improve the
living environment. For example, the Greystone Foundation sponsors
the Koppel Farm. Most of their activities are related to work at
the Farm. The environmental community activity includes their organic
Community Garden plots. Here groups and individuals grow food, herbs,
and flowers organically. During the growing season, they offer workshops
on the first Saturday of each month on water conservation, composting,
soil preparation and maintenance, and weed and pest control (Greystone
Foundation). Groundworks Institute works to improve environmental
quality and educates people physically to improve the environment.
Their goal is to promote an ecologically, economically, and culturally
healthy land. In order to achieve the goal, they organize projects
to replant streams and wetlands to provide wildlife habitat and cleaner
water. They establish partnerships with schools to educate children
about environmental issues and coordinate workshops on environmental issues
for the community (Groundwork Institute). Also, they publish printed
and electronic materials for educational purposes. Pullman Civic
Trust is another environmental organization. Recently, they are working
to preserve the Roundtop Park on the WSU campus and to promote its conservation
as a park. Also, they are working on the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail.
The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail is linking Pullman and Moscow with an 8-mile
pedestrian corridor. It will go from Perimeter Drive in Moscow to
Bishop Boulevard in Pullman and will be paved 10 ft wide for walking, jogging,
skating, and cross-country skiing (Three Forks News).
S.3.d. Get families involved in EE.
Community activity of Environmental
Education does not have to be held by large groups. It can also be
held by smaller groups of people such as families. Everyone in the
family can discuss various issues about their community environment.
Family members can take action and join any community activity being held
in town. In addition, families in neighborhoods can work together
for improving their own living environment. They may plant trees,
native plants or grass in neighborhood, adopt an area to keep clean, open
more communications with the community, and actually make the town step
closer to the aim of sustainability.
S.3.e. Get individuals involved in EE.
Beyond the groups, community
activity can happen by every single individual in town. Everyone
can be a volunteer or just work as a part-time job for our environment.
You are encouraged to join any activity held by other groups. Also,
you can do something in your personal everyday life. For example,
you can achieve the 3 R's, that is to reduce, to reuse, and to recycle
resources. Very convenient ways exist throughout the community.
To achieve the goal of the 3 R's, you can reduce resource consumption and
waste of almost any material, reuse materials such as cloth
bags, and recycle most things like milk jug, pop cans, newspaper, etc.
If you practice the 3R's, you will feel better about your life because
you contribute to your community, your nation, or even the world.
Actually, you can save costs by carrying out the 3 R's.
Community activities can be held
by every person in WSU and Pullman. We can send out many messages
about EE to people in town. People who have more knowledge, will
have better attitudes and awareness about the environment. Community
activities are an effective way to foster Environmental Education and Washington
State University (WSU) and Pullman will become more successful and sustainable.
.
References
The Center of Environmental Education at Washington State University. Http://www.educ.wsu.edu/enviroed.
Greystone Foundation. P. O. Box 611, Pullman, WA 99163.
Groundworks Institute. P. O. Box 2902, Pullman, WA 99165. E-mail Http://www.completebbs.com/groundworks.
Keane, K., 1997. (Interview). School of Architecture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Three Forks News. September, 1997. Vol. 1 Number 1.