Living
Clean & Green!
Fee
Based Programs
‘Living Clean & Green!’ is a series of programs
and workshops designed to inform the public and improve the
local environment. Programs vary in length and can be presented
to your organization, club or gathering. Programs marked with
the 
are available
for presentation to middle or high school classes at no cost.
Currently there are 15 program topics. Each program outlines
environmental issues facing our community; how we impact these
issues and what we can do to lighten the load we place on the
environment. Informational materials and give-away items like
free trees are also available. Living Clean & Green!
Please see a list of the program topics and a short description
of each below. For more information or to schedule a program
for your group, call Maggi Liebe at 856-833-1469.
Let's
Take a Walk - Greenways Connecting Our Community
Using
maps of the current County Greenway system we'll take you on
a virtual tour and then an actual walk to experience our extensive
greenway system. We'll demonstrate pedometer use and introduce
you to the idea of a walking log (not related to a tree).
Wetlands
- Why They Are Important
Ponds,
marshes, swamps, bogs and fens all are considered to be wetlands.
This program will help you understand the differences. Learn
about how urban runoff affects wetlands and what lives in a
healthy wetland. We'll also talk history and current issues
and even take a metaphorical quiz.
Recycling/Trash
to Treasure Workshop
Recycling
makes a difference! Get up to date information on area recycling
efforts and turn that trash into treasure with this hands-on
program. Make useful household items and crafts out of things
you would usually throw away. Also, learn why we need to reduce
the amount of solid waste we produce.
Trees
- Creating the Air We Breathe
Trees,
the lungs of our community, provide oxygen and clean the pollutants
from the air at the same time. Shade, fruits, nuts, habitat,
wind protection, the benefits are incredibly important. You
can make a difference by planting more trees. This seminar demonstrates
tree-planting techniques and we can often provide you with some
trees to plant.
Can
You Hear the Frogs?
The
sounds of spring and summer are familiar to all of us. Learn
about our local frog species and why amphibians, and in particular
frogs, are like canaries in the coal mine. You'll see a slide
show of local frogs and their vocalizations and learn details
about environmental problems that have caused populations to
decline over the past 40 years.
What
Makes a Healthy Creek?
The
critters that live in your neighborhood creek have a story to
tell. This program gives you some simple tools for assessing
your creek. Learn about soil erosion and storm drains, look
at the creatures that live in creeks and check some physical
characteristics of the creek itself. You'll also learn some
things that you can do to improve local water quality.
Butterflies
Are Free
Learn
what attracts butterflies, how to improve your butterfly habitat
and what butterflies you might expect to see. It's all related
and what you do makes a difference!
Creating
a Green Household
We
all use chemicals in our homes. Sometimes we are aware of their
potential toxicity and sometimes not. This program helps define
some of the water and indoor air quality problems associated
with chemical use and some naturally occurring problems like
radon. Learn alternative cleaning methods and how you can improve
the air you breathe in your home and the water quality in your
area.
The
Bird Friendly Yard
Backyard
bird watching is the number one hobby in America. This program
provides practical tips on how to improve your backyard bird
habitat and attract a wider variety of birds. You'll also get
some tips on what to do about squirrels that think they are
birds.
Organic
Gardening - The Basics
A
recent study published in the journal Science found that organic
gardening makes good sense. Organic gardening costs less, yields
the same and does not fill our soils and waterways with excess
fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. There are many benefits
to reducing our lawn area and increasing your gardening area
and this program will help you decide if organic gardening is
right for you.
Urban
Wildlife - Precious Things or Pests?
The
state of local wildlife may surprise you. Are humans having
more wildlife encounters because their populations are increasing
or because their habitat is decreasing? We'll take a close look
at specimens of common urban wildlife. You'll also learn what
to do when you encounter wildlife, how to identify the creatures
of the night and what we can do to reduce problems.
Wildscaping
Habitat
loss is the number one reason for declines in animal and plant
populations. Each year the state of New Jersey loses wildlife
habitat. This program presents landscaping ideas based on the
use of native plants to create natural areas that will benefit
wildlife, reduce the amount of care and upkeep for the landowner
and beautify and soften the surrounding landscape.
Know
Your Watershed
What
are watersheds? This program details what a watershed is and
where you are located in it. Topics include maps of each major
creek and the watershed surrounding it, how we impact the watershed
and the resources available to reduce our impact. We'll also
talk about the Adopt-a-Stream and Adopt-a-Watershed programs.
Gathering
Seeds
Starting
your own natural landscape doesn't have to be costly. You will
learn seed gathering methods and some propagating techniques
that will have your thumb turning green before the end of the
program.
The
Air We Breathe
We'll
talk about the basics of air pollution and how it affects young
and old alike. See alternative energy sources at work with our
model ‘Power House’ and model solar power car also
check out one of a hybrid car. When we reduce our energy consumption
we improve our air quality. This program helps you do just that.
In depth discussion of the topics below are also available for
middle and high school students.
