“For the president to talk out but not just say what we should do but what will happen if we don’t stop littering…We should have one day a month that should be green day. Start putting a lot more commercials about the environment. Start putting posters up and I know it may sound extreme but maybe even paint the White House green…We should star putting a program about “green” on national TV also, so we can inspire other states, communities, families and countries.”

That’s what one child said when asked about how the public should be better educated on green issues in the new report, “Growing Up Green.” The report, a first of its kind, focuses on what kids ages 11 and 12 think about the current eco-issues.  Growing up Green is by no means a typical report looking at typical American kids. The children surveyed go to Merrill Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa – which according to the report is “one of the greenest schools in one of the nation’s greenest cities.” So their answers are related to their world and immediate surroundings, not the typical surroundings that the average American kid is emerged in.

However, what’s cool about this report is that it shows what kids who are exposed to green think about and how they choose to make a difference. The report reflects some excellent examples as to why we really need to focus on kids and get them on board with green living now not later.

In the report, the children answered more than 40 questions (many open ended) that offer insight into the role environmental conservation and sustainability play in young people’s lives, and they wrote essays explaining what they think it will take to protect the environment, who should lead the charge, and why it matters.

Some findings from Growing Up Green:

• Most students agree that the local, state and federal government has an important role to play when it comes to eco-issues, but the kids were split on whether it’s through legislation or encouraging the public to be more environmentally conscious.
• Many students said that individuals need to take simple steps in their own lives to protect natural resources.
• The students identified a need to raise public awareness of the problems and also to make more of the public understand how they can help.
• The students generally believe that involving more youth in environmental issues will make an impact in the future.
• Many of the students said government leaders and businesses should find new and different ways to protect the environment.

I read through most of the report and was amazed at he insights these kids have. It’s astounding what children consider when given the tools to do so. If you didn’t think that kids have the ability to change the world and keep it green, you will after reading this report. You can download the report “Growing Up Green” for free (pdf) and read all about it including many other cool quotes from eco-minded kiddos.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Twilight is the best time for… A night picnic. Plan an green evening picnic during the warm months (or bundle up if it’s chilly) then wait around to stargaze. Right after dusk is the best time to stargaze and the best location is as far from city lights as possible. Post-dusk is a cool time too because it’s not too late for super little ones either which means the whole family can stargaze together.

May is the best time for… Planting sunflowers. Actually April works well too. At this time of year sunflowers will pop up quickly which is key when it comes to kids and gardening – they like fast results. This year, don’t just plant your sunflowers in a row though; see how to make a cool sunflower playhouse and other kid-friendly gardening projects!

August is the best time for… A huge green festival! Each August the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California, rolls out their SolFest event. This fun event is not only green but totally family friendly. There’s always music, 50+ workshops, eco-speakers, organic foods, and so much more. The 2009 festival is set for August 15-16 so if you’re going to be near California pencil it in.

Early morning is the best time for… A hike. Before 10am and after 4pm are the best times to take your little ones out on a summer hike. Unless you’re hiking through a shaded forest the sun is going to be too hot and bright and there’s an increased risk of heat exposure and sunburn. Also, kids are more likely to see cool wildlife in the morning and after 4pm because if it’s too hot and bright for us humans, what do you think the animals are doing? Yup, hiding. Learn more about planning a kid-friendly hike or visit Make Tracks – a great site dedicated to getting kids outside.

Summer is the best time for… Green summer camps. Now, as I usually note, camps are sort of green by nature. However, there are some specific eco-minded camps that promote green as part of the everyday. Learn more about green summer camps.

Early spring is the best time to… Buy a bike. Kids should get started early on healthy green transportation and early spring is the perfect time to put this into action. Bikes tend to go on sale in early spring or you can learn how to buy a used bike anytime of the year.

Do you have any other ideas about when is a great time to be a green nature kid? Let me know what you (and your kids) think in the comments.

[images via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Kids and teens can have just as big an impact on the earth’s health as adults. More actually I’d wager. They’re small now, but have a long life of either negative or positive impacts to make on the planet. The lessons they learn, the tasks they try, the options they choose will be long lasting and passed on to their children as well.

Save the earth: A list of eco-ideas to offer kids and teens…

Assume one choice can change the world. If you don’t believe this is true, take a look at what these kids accomplish. Each choice you make does affect the planet.

Boycott one toy. Choose a toy that you like, but that’s over-packaged. Write a letter to the toy company that says you won’t be buying or playing with their toy until they shape up.

Carry an eco-lunch.

Donate, don’t toss used toys.

Eat less meat – you’ll save energy, resources, and have better health by cutting out even one or two meat-based meals a week.

Follow the three R’s at all times (Refuse [or reduce], Reuse, and Recycle).

Get hooked on nature.

Hop around with frogs (and learn about power) in the Generation Island online game. (7th-8th grade level game).

It’s Getting Hot In Here – voices from the student and youth leaders of the global movement to stop global warming

Jot stuff down on homemade recycled scratch pads.

Kick your school into gear. Most schools could be doing more to recycle and reuse materials. Could yours? Why not check it out.

Learn to drive eco-style.

Mail earth-friendly e-cards, instead of paper.

Never leave a room without turning off the light.

Outfit yourself in style; but make sure it’s a earth-friendly style.

Plant one tree, or some wildflowers, or a pizza garden. Help something new to grow.

Question adults – seriously, adults close to you don’t know everything, they may even be harming the earth. Question what the adults you know are doing and offer healthy planet alternatives.

Recycled backpacks for school.

Sticky and non-toxic fun.

Try fun plant experiments.

Understand what goes on at your recycling center.

Visit Junk Creations to see kid creations made of old recycled goods. 

Whip up some recycled musical instruments and start singing. (Not for teens by the way – this tip is best for little ones)

Xtream Frisbee – recycled style.

Yell at a litterer – ok, don’t yell, but tell them to pick up their trash.

Zoom into an environmental career (it’s never too early to start thinking about your work later).

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“This is my daughter, Savie, and my dog Halley playing the creek here in AZ. We have a campsite up in the Chiricahua Mountains. We go there every year to the same site and they have so much fun there, and as you can see they are enjoying themselves.”

Kids and dogs and creeks – oh my. Too cute. This little one is loving the water.

This next one is my favorite..

The “Hey, you got me by surprise” shot!

As always we love to see families out in nature, having a great time. Pets too. If you’d like to send us pictures of your tree hugging, nature lovin’ family you can contact us here.

[photos via Kisha]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Save the earth: A list of eco-ideas to offer kids and teens…

Assume one choice can change the world. If you don’t believe this is true, take a look at what these kids accomplish. Each choice you make does affect the planet.

Boycott one toy. Choose a toy that you like, but that’s over-packaged. Write a letter to the toy company that says you won’t be buying or playing with their toy until they shape up.

Carry an eco-lunch.

Donate, don’t toss used toys.

Eat less meat – you’ll save energy, resources, and have better health by cutting out even one or two meat-based meals a week.

Follow the three R’s at all times (Refuse [or reduce], Reuse, and Recycle).

Get hooked on nature.

Hop around with frogs (and learn about power) in the Generation Island online game. (7th-8th grade level game).

It’s Getting Hot In Here – voices from the student and youth leaders of the global movement to stop global warming

Jot stuff down on homemade recycled scratch pads.

Kick your school into gear. Most schools could be doing more to recycle and reuse materials. Could yours? Why not check it out.

Learn to drive eco-style.

Mail earth-friendly e-cards, instead of paper.

Never leave a room without turning off the light.

Outfit yourself in style; but make sure it’s a earth-friendly style.

Plant one tree, or some wildflowers, or a pizza garden. Help something new to grow.

Question adults – seriously, adults close to you don’t know everything, they may even be harming the earth. Question what the adults you know are doing and offer healthy planet alternatives.

Recycled backpacks for school.

Sticky and non-toxic fun.

Try fun plant experiments.

Understand what goes on at your recycling center.

Visit Kid-Friendly Fridays at Daily Tomorrow.

Whip up some recycled musical instruments and start singing. (Not for teens by the way – this tip is best for little ones)

Xtream Frisbee – recycled style.

Yell at a litterer – ok, don’t yell, but tell them to pick up their trash.

Zoom into an environmental career (it’s never too early to start thinking about your work later).

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Background:

Keep America Beautiful is older than most people think; established in 1953 it’s the largest non-profit volunteer-based community action and education organization in the U.S. Their main goal is to organize and encourage volunteers to improve the communities they live in. GAC is the largest program on their line up of events.

2007 Statistics:

GAC events were highly successful this year. Data was tabulated from over 30,000 local events held in 17,000 communities within all 50 states. 2.8 million volunteers participate this year and over 7.7 million hours were logged as time spent improving communities.

2007 Results:

• 200 million pounds of litter and debris was disposed appropriately.
• 3,500 illegal dump sites and over 10,000 abandoned vehicles were taken care of.
• Over 178,000 miles of roadways, 121,000 acres of parks and public land, 3,900 miles of hiking and nature trails, and 7,000 miles of rivers, lakes and streams were improved.

Volunteers reclaimed an impressive:

• 70.6 million plastic (PET) bottles
• 2.2 million tires
• 22.4 million pounds of aluminum and steel
• 592,000 pounds of wireless phones and related equipment
• 115,000 batteries, 23 million pounds of newsprint
• 4.5 million pounds of clothing
• 5.3 million pounds of electronics waste.

More improvements:

• 2,100 acres of wetlands were cleaned and improved.
• There were 6,500 educational workshops held in regards to community eco-sense and over 458,000 people attended.
• 3,300 playgrounds and community recreation areas were constructed or restored.

GAC also focuses on efforts that help people regain a sense of nature, beauty, and pride in their local communities by plating more than 4.6 million trees, flowers, and bulbs; restoring and painting old buildings, and taking care of over 11,000 graffiti sites.

2007 Sponsors:

GAC can’t happen with out support and many sponsors each year help out. To learn about the companies who contribute visit GAC’s sponsor page.

I think that the results for 2007 were really nice. So much was accomplished and some of these numbers are very impressive. However, there is a population of around 303,335,516 in the U.S. That means that while 2.8 million people participated about 300,000,000 did not. Yes that’s fuzzy math (I rounded down some) but you get the picture — more people could easily be involved.

The positive thing to consider is that there are other organizations the people work with and also some people just like to do their own thing for the planet at home. Every step is good. Still, the more of a concentrated effort we can institute the better. Consider how many places and landscapes are worth conserving. Oceans, deserts, fields, forests; there’s a lot to take care of.

What if everyone got involved with a Keep America Beautiful event? Click here to find volunteer opportunities for your family in your community. Many events are kid and parent friendly so families can spend time together while helping preserve land and resources.

What next:

Some interesting reads from this year include…

• Unusual Items Found during GAC
• 20 Tips for Maintaining Safe, Clean, Healthy Communities

Kids can do their part as well by visiting the kid specific Keep America Beautiful site Clean Sweep USA.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This maze will teach kids about the power of solar and show them just how clever plants are.

Materials needed:

1. A large cardboard box — the kind that has dividers. Something I forgot to draw in the photo is that the box needs a lid. It will have to be closed on all sides for this experiment to work. I got a large whiskey box from the local alcohol shop. Obviously kids, ask an adult to do that part.
2. A box cutter.
3. Dried beans or other flower seeds (I tried both and beans worked best). Don’t use seeds that need light to germinate. The back of your seed packet will give you this information.
4. Soil in a little flower pot.
5. Super strength clear tape. I used packing tape.

How to make your maze!

1. Paint or color the outside of your box in cool colors. Mine is boring brown in the picture — see if your box can be way more exciting.
2. Place the box on it’s side so that the lid is in front.
3. Cut one hole in what is now the top of the box and holes in the dividers — depending on your box make the holes about 2-3 inches across. The holes need to form a clear and easy route from the bottom of the box to the top. Plants are clever but not THAT clever; they can’t grow through the cardboard.
4. Plant your seeds or beans in your little pot and water well (wet like a wet sponge).
5. Put your pot in the bottom of the box and shut the lid. If you see any cracks tape the lid to the sides of the box. There should be no light allowed except for what can get in through the tip top hole.
6. Place your box in a nice safe area that gets some sun each day.
7. Every three days open your box and re-water your plant.

Wait….

Beans grow pretty quickly. If you used other seeds the time may vary but eventually the plant will start to grow. Watch and see what path it takes upwards through your box maze.

My version of the plant maze graphics… I hope this makes sense. Remember, your box should have a lid. Technically during this experiment you won’t see your plant.

Questions to consider.

• What makes the plant grow through the maze?
• How does this relate to how tiny trees can survive in a forest of big tall trees that block the sunlight?
• What will happen if your plant reaches the top?
• Who is doing the bulk of the work — the tiny plant or the sunshine? Maybe it’s a team effort. How do all the different parts of the planet’s eco-system work together to make a maze like this work?

What other questions can you think of?

Kids… if you have success with this experiment send in some photos to be posted here at tree hugging family along with some thoughts on the process. Or even take it to your school or homeschooling events to show off.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family