DC Environmental Education Consortium

05/04/2020

Dig Deeper: "Cleaner Air Tree by Tree" Lesson Guide

Did you know that trees clean the air, mitigate climate change, and save energy?
Share a photo of a tree in your yard or neighborhood and tell us what you love about it.

DIG DEEPER: TREE DETECTIVE LESSON GUIDE
How can I estimate the benefit of a tree on air quality?
Be a tree detective. Let's look for the data.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KGOrYDomq0

How can you estimate the benefits of a tree on air quality? This video will guide you through an activity from "Cleaner Air Tree by Tree" so you can learn to...

04/07/2020

Air pollution linked to far higher Covid-19 death rates, study finds

This is why environmental education matters!

The study, by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston,analysed air pollution and Covid-19 deaths up to 4 April in 3,000 US counties, covering 98% of the population. “We found that an increase of only 1μg/m3 in PM2.5 [particles] is associated with a 15% increase in the Covid-19 death rate,” the team concluded.

Dirty air increases risk of respiratory problems that can be fatal for coronavirus patients

03/28/2020

E.P.A., Citing Coronavirus, Drastically Relaxes Rules for Polluters

Is this truly necessary? when we know that air pollution impacts lung health and the coronavirus attacks the lungs.

The agency said it would not penalize companies that violate rules on monitoring and reporting pollution discharges.

03/17/2020

Watch air pollution flow across the planet in real time

Notice areas that still have industrial activity...and east of Madagascar in the Indian ocean that area where air currents are bringing air pollutants...how long till that precipitates out?...FYI there is another NASA map with all the ocean currents that is equally fascinating...

New online visualization shows concentrations of toxic PM2.5

03/17/2020

Air pollution likely to increase coronavirus death rate, warn experts

No surprise! but informative... check out the next link...the impact of reduced economic activity in certain parts of the world and air quality....

Lung damage from dirty air may worsen infections, but isolation measures improving air quality

02/19/2020

Plantwatch: how urban trees and hedges help cut air pollution

Just incase we needed a little more convincing. Tree and hedges provide ecosystem services!!!

The plants trap polluting particles like natural air filters, and protect against flooding too

12/09/2019

Apply To The 2020 Science Friday Educator Collaborative!

Apply To The 2020 Science Friday Educator Collaborative!

For 29 years, Science Friday has been producing award-winning multimedia for web, radio, YouTube, and social media...and now we want your help.

11/09/2019

Nature-Based Solutions Can Compete with Technology for Mitigating Air Emissions Across the United States

Despite the proliferation of control technologies, air pollution remains a major concern across the United States, suggesting the need for a paradigm shift in methods for mitigating emissions. Based on data about annual emissions in U.S. counties and current land cover, we show that existing forest, grassland, and shrubland vegetation take up a significant portion of current U.S. emissions. Restoring land cover, where possible, to county-level average canopy cover can further remove pollution of SO2, PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 by an average of 27% through interception of particulate matter and absorption of gaseous pollutants. We find such nature-based solutions to be cheaper than technology for several National Emission Inventory sectors. Our results with and without monetary valuation of ecological cobenefits identify sectors and counties that are most economically attractive for nature-based solutions as compared to the use of pollution control technologies. We also estimate the sizes of urban and rural populations that would benefit from this novel ecosystem-based approach. This suggests that even though vegetation cannot fully negate the impact of emissions at all times, policies encouraging ecosystems as control measures in addition to technological solutions may promote large investments in ecological restoration and provide several societal benefits.

Despite the proliferation of control technologies, air pollution remains a major concern across the United States, suggesting the need for a paradigm shift in methods for mitigating emissions. Based on data about annual emissions in U.S. counties and current land cover, we show that existing forest,...

04/25/2019

This is a friendly reminder that our first urban garden workshop of the season will take place this Saturday from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Martha's Table, located at 2375 Evans Rd. SE Washington, DC 20020.

Please RSVP to me to secure your spot! If you have already RSVP'd, and can no longer attend, kindly let me know so we can open your spot up. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

We look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday!
Regards,
Alisha

04/23/2019

From Friday, April 26 through Monday, April 29, 2019, please give your time and unearth your talent for the environment. We need your help to win the City Nature Challenge, a global competition designed to capture the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most residents. Volunteer at one or all of these events using this link.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScikZojOQQJzL87hSbh1EICeAZqKLfnXrUWVztzTVOw3ayswg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Questions? Send the Project Coordinator an email.

Birding the Riverwalk Trail
4000 Deane Avenue NE
Friday, April 26, 2019 / 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Join DOEE Fish & Wildlife Biologist Dan Rauch as he leads a bird walk along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail into riparian forest to the Kenilworth marshes.

Exploring the Chain Bridge Flats
Clara Barton Parkway Parking Lot at Chain Bridge
Friday, April 26, 2019 / 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join DOEE Environmental Protection Specialist Jennifer Dietzen and Fish & Wildlife Biologist Damien Ossi as they lead a walk over unique habitat of the Potomac Gorge at the Chain Bridge Flats. This walk is on very rough, rocky terrain.

City Nature Challenge at Kingman Island
Kingman and Heritage Islands - RFK Stadium Lot 6 entrance to Kingman Island
Sunday, April 28, 2019 / 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join DOEE Damien Ossi as he leads a walk on Kingman and Heritage Islands to inventory plants, insects, and other unique habitat.

Fish and other Fauna in Fletcher's Cove
Fletcher's Cove Boathouse lower parking lot; 4940 Canal Rd NW
Sunday, April 28, 2019 / 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join DOEE Wildlife Management Branch Chief Teresa Rodriguez and Fish & Wildlife Biologist Natasha Garcia-Andersen as they stroll along the banks of the Potomac River at Fletcher's Cove taking photographs of fish caught by anglers and conducting inventory of plants and animals in the riparian forest.

Exploring Fort Mahan
490 42nd Street NE
Monday, April 29, 2019 / 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join DOEE Wildlife Biologists Dan Rauch and Damien Ossi as they explore the various birds and plants at one of the Civil War Defenses of Washington Fort Mahan in Ward 7.

Hope to see you there!

02/01/2019

DC Teachers Night is a wonderful collaboration between the US Botanical Garden and DCEEC the DC Environmental Education Consortium. We thank the EE providers and the teachers for supporting this event every year.

01/30/2019

For every child clean air- UNICEF

Great educational tool as to the importance of Clean Air and the impact of Particulate Matter 2.5 μg/m3 one of the six criteria pollutants.

01/01/2019

Educator Academy in the Amazon - professional development for teachers

Subject: Scholarship & Grant $ for Amazon Rainforest PD Workshop

What: 2019 Educator Academy in the Amazon Professional Development

When: July 1-11, 2019
Grant: $1500 Vernier Software & Technology Grant for a HS/AP Science Educator

Scholarships: $1250 Amazon Workshops Scholarships for K-12 Educators
Application Deadline: February 1, 2019
Get more info: http://amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy/

Join Al Stenstrup, Project Learning Tree; Dr. Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Kristie Reddick, The Bug Chicks; along with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you explore:

21st Century Instruction: 5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ STEM
Inquiry Protocols & Resources: Vernier Software & Technology ~ Celestron Digital Microscopes
Global and Cultural Perspectives: Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education
NEW! A specialized track for HS bio and environmental science educators with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and field work with the Maijuna indigenous community
Work side-by-side with scientists and researchers on citizen science projects and field studies.
Explore the ¼ mile long ACTSPeru Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the world’s most biologically diverse environments.
Work with fellow educators to explore strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your classroom.

Contact program director, Christa Dillabaugh at [email protected] or 1-800-431-2624 for more information.

Transformational Professional Development Educator Academy in the Amazon K-16 Educators are you ready for a life changing adventure? Join us in the Amazon for an experience that will feed your soul, expand your professional toolkit for inquiry based science, anchor your global perspective, and chang...

10/25/2018

Another great event at the Anacostia Community Museum from 10:30 -1 this Saturday.

10/16/2018

Air pollution is shortening lives worldwide

Air is free. But breathing dirty air has a price. Indeed, it can cost someone’s life span months — even years, a new study finds.

Worldwide, air pollution lowers average life spans by a year. In more polluted parts of Asia and Africa, dirty air shortens lives up to twice that much. Scientists shared their new findings August 22 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Science visualized " How different risk factors shorten life expectancy"

Worldwide, tiny particles of air pollution are making the average person’s life a year shorter.

10/16/2018

Baltimore Tree Trust

Baltimore Tree Trust

The results are in from August's study with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and they show a staggering 16-degree-difference in temperature between our city's coolest and hottest neighborhoods, measured at the same time during this heat wave.

"'Heat islands are a serious public health issue, and this data shows a clear connection between areas of our city lacking canopy and the extreme pockets of heat that residents are enduring over the summer months'." 🌳

09/26/2018

Awesome Saturday Building Your Soil Workshop with Derek Thomas w Thomas Landscapes on September 22nd, Laura Washington with Infinite Possibilities, Katrina Lashley Urban Waterways Program Coordinator for Project and Alisha Camacho Outreach Coordinator for the Urban Waterways Program

05/01/2018

We are doing a disservice to students by not aggressively teaching about climate change while this is happening!

04/27/2018

NMAI–DC Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Program

“A Sky Above: Native Hawaiian Astronomy and Navigation” on May 17 and 18. Rooted in STEAM principles, this immersive program allows students to explore the intersection of science and Native Hawaiian culture.

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, is excited to offer a special student program in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:  “A Sky Above: Native Hawaiian Astronomy and Navigation”  on May 17 and 18. Rooted in STEAM principles, this immersiv

04/12/2018

Citizen scientists are the new community activists

Great write up on Dr Sacoby Wilson, the power of citizen science and the power of hyper local air quality testing.

Residents going “door-to-door” to educate about environmental hazards are crucial to improving community health.

03/26/2018

Anacostia Rising: What's Next For D.C.'s 'Forgotten' River

Great educational reporting piece...congrats to Jacob Fenston and Tyrone Turner

What does a revitalized Anacostia River mean for Washington — and who benefits?

03/07/2018

Clean Air Partners

Clean Air matters to the peeps and to the BAY!

Great news! Health of the Chesapeake Bay improves due to decreases in pollution on land and in air.

02/01/2018

Air pollution: black, Hispanic and poor students most at risk from toxins – study

One reason why air quality education is important.

‘Children are facing risks that will affect their ability to learn,’ says expert following study covering 90,000 schools across the US

01/18/2018

D.C.’s ‘Biophilic’ Island Part of a Larger Trend

Congrats DC! Looking forward to seeing the additional EE support.

01/17/2018

Meeting buddies at the NAAEE - North American Association for Environmental Education gathering in California.

01/15/2018

On Friday, January 12, at 11 am, Mayor Bowser officially designated Kingman and Heritage Islands as a State Conservation Area and the Southern part of Kingman as a Critical Wildlife Area. She DCEEC looks forward to seeing further details regarding the committed $4.7 million toward amenities on Kingman Island per the new plan, funding for recreational and educational improvements. Mayor Bowser further commented on 2018 being the

Kingman and Heritage Islands represent a unique natural space in the heart of the nation’s capital. A product of dredging the Anacostia over 100 years ago, Kingman and Heritage Islands are now home to important and rare ecosystems, including tidal freshwater wetlands, vernal pools, wildflower meadows, and tidal swamp forests. There are more than 100 different species of birds, mammals, and other wildlife that call Kingman and Heritage Islands home. DC’s Department of Energy and Environment has been conducting weekly bird surveys on the islands for fifteen years, and has been working to restore the forests, wetlands, and meadows for the last five years.

01/12/2018

A Greener, More Healthful Place to Work

"Another study of 21,000 elementary school students in several Western states conducted by an energy consultancy firm, the Heschong Mahone Group, found that children in naturally lit classrooms scored over 20 percent higher on tests than those in artificially lit rooms."

Biophilic buildings aim not just to leave a minimal carbon footprint but also to promote the health of those who live and work there.

01/11/2018

Mayor Bowser

Longtime in coming Kingman & Heritage Island but great news Friday, January 12, at 11:00 a.m., Mayor Bowser will kick off

You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.Link to read me page with more information.

11/25/2017

On behalf of the District of Columbia Environmental Education Consortium- DCEEC and the United States Botanic Garden, we wanted to thank each of you for making the 2017 DC Teacher Night such a fabulous event. 197 teachers attended 41% for the first time

10/13/2017

Special Webinars Highlighting NAAEE Conference

NAAEE - North American Association for Environmental Education will be hosting a virtual conference this year - check out the special webinars and the 30 under 30 panel.

BRINGING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE TO YOU!Joining the WebinarsUse this link to join any of the scheduled webinars listed below (SEE NOTE BELOW FOR LIVESTREAMED EVENTS!): https://zoom.us/j/755382374 Please plan to connect to the audio through your computer. Should you need to connect to the audio…

06/28/2017

D.C. high school students produce film for IMAX

Shout out to Kadesha Bonds awesome media teacher Woodrow Wilson High School (Washington, D.C.)

It's called The Air We Breathe; one of two environmental documentaries produced by students at Wilson High School in Northwest Washington. 18-year-old Kieran Irwin-Leventhal is one of 10 students involved in the filmmaking. It was super group-oriented from

06/14/2017

Wednesday, June 14, 2017
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Anacostia Museum
1901 Fort Place, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020

Sylvia Earle is an American Oceanographer who is on a mission to save blue parks. A phrase she has coined for the ocean. She took 2 young people from Benning Terrace on the trip with her and it was an extraordinary voyage for them.

06/06/2017

DCEVGP

Come support DC Students at the Washington DC Electric Vehicle Grand Prix

The Washington DC Electric Vehicle Grand Prix is a hands-on educational program for high schools in Washington
DC, Maryland, and Virginia. This is the fifth year of the competition and will be held on Saturday June 10, 2017 at the
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. Qualification begins at 10:00 AM and race kick-off is at 1:00 PM. Technical
inspection and scrutineering will be held on Friday June 9 from noon to 5 PM.

For this competition student teams apply engineering, science, and math principles and strategy to construct and
race battery powered electric cars. The project also helps improve their understanding of renewable energy
technologies and project management while working in a team environment.