2021 Preble County Earth Day
We are inching closer to Earth Day on April 22nd, 2021!! While we were unable to host the Preble County Earth Day for 6th grade students this year, we are gearing up and hoping for a great event next year at Wilderness Ridge in Camden, OH.
Despite our inability to host the event, we have a very fun surprise! Some of our wonderful local presenters recorded videos of their Earth Day presentations! You can view all of these videos below. A special thank you to: Brad Kramer, Preble County Land Use Management; BJ Price, Preble SWCD; Beth Wright, Preble Solid Waste Management District; Alyssa Stark, Preble County Historical Society; David Isaacs, Ph.D.; Mark Banks, Southern Singers; Lisa Hermann, Butler Rural Co-Op; and Tim Roel, American Dairy Association. We very much appreciate all of the time and effort that went into making these informational videos!
After you view these videos, please take a look at these activities you can do at home with your family, at school with your classmates, or on your own! Check out additional videos of environmental subjects, such as energy, natural resource conservation, agriculture, and more. If you'd like more information about Earth Day and how you can celebrate EVERY day, feel free to call our office at (937) 456-5159 or visit us at our new office location in Glenwood, between Eaton and West Alexandria, OH.
Despite our inability to host the event, we have a very fun surprise! Some of our wonderful local presenters recorded videos of their Earth Day presentations! You can view all of these videos below. A special thank you to: Brad Kramer, Preble County Land Use Management; BJ Price, Preble SWCD; Beth Wright, Preble Solid Waste Management District; Alyssa Stark, Preble County Historical Society; David Isaacs, Ph.D.; Mark Banks, Southern Singers; Lisa Hermann, Butler Rural Co-Op; and Tim Roel, American Dairy Association. We very much appreciate all of the time and effort that went into making these informational videos!
After you view these videos, please take a look at these activities you can do at home with your family, at school with your classmates, or on your own! Check out additional videos of environmental subjects, such as energy, natural resource conservation, agriculture, and more. If you'd like more information about Earth Day and how you can celebrate EVERY day, feel free to call our office at (937) 456-5159 or visit us at our new office location in Glenwood, between Eaton and West Alexandria, OH.
Earth Day 2021 Presenters - Preble County
- Zoning by Brad Kramer, Director of Land Use Management Office
- Earth As An Apple by BJ Price, District Administrator of Preble SWCD
- Recycling by Beth Wright, Assistant Director of Solid Waste Management District
- Indigenous People of Preble County by Alyssa Stark, Curator of Preble County Historical Society
- Southern Singers Woodland Band by Mark Banks of Southern Singers Group
- Virtual Dairy Farm Tour by American Dairy Association - Video Recommended by Tim Roell, Preble County dairy farmer
- COSI and Ohio Electric Cooperative by COSI Columbus - Videos Recommended by Lisa Herrmann
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Activities |
2020 - An Earth Day Like No Other
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Earth Day began on April 22, 1970 as a "teach-in", an event held at a university to educate students on a topic that is not covered in class, proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. Senator Nelson is best known for his advocacy of natural resource protection and environmental quality , and had the reputation of being the "conservation governor". After the massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and with Senator Nelson's great concern for the protection of the environment, Earth Day was intended to educate college students about the need for environmental reform and current crises they were facing. Soon, communities of people rallied for conservation awareness and caught the attention of Congress to create environmental policies. This event led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental protection laws, such as The Clean Air Act and, soon after, the Clean Water Act. Over the decades, Earth Day has gained attention globally, involving more than 1 billion people in 193 countries who rally for and promote the need for environmental protection and policies. The celebration of Earth Day has changed over the last 50 years, with various adaptations to the event and different environmental topics each year. The most important component of Earth Day is education.
Every year, the Preble SWCD and Preble County Solid Waste District host an Earth Day event for Preble County's 6th grade students. Students are able to learn about different jobs in agriculture and conservation. Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent closure of in-person schooling, we had to cancel the event. BUT, all is not lost! We would like to provide you with Earth Day activities that you can do everyday of the week to raise awareness for conservation. They are very adaptable for any situation, as well as "social-distancing" friendly!
Family Activities for Conservation Awareness:
1. Nature Hike: Throw some old boots or shoes on, and take a walk in the woods! Or, just head for a walk around the block. Want to volunteer to show your support for the environment? Take a trash bag or two with you, along with some gloves, and pick up all of the trash you see! Talk about why littering is dangerous and who it affects. Want to have some fun and incorporate some school work? Make a scavenger hunt with things you might pass along your walk. Bring your camera and have your child(ren) take a picture of each item they find! It's a real-life "Where is Waldo?" book!
2. Bug Hotel: For those with garden areas or families looking for a fun experiment outdoors, make a bug hotel out of natural and recycled materials. Grab a wooden box, plastic bottle, or old shelf you're ready to throw out, and fill it with natural materials to make a home for beneficial insects. Bug hotels promote biodiversity, which is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Hotels can also reduce the need for chemical pesticides, as it weeds out problem insects, and provides a habitat for pollinators necessary for a successful garden. Make sure to research what beneficial insects you'd like attract. Different insects prefer to live in different conditions and areas. Check on it periodically to see what you've attracted! (Note, a bug house may attract species that you didn't attend, but don't give up! Switching up your bug house materials can cause different results.)
3. Make Your Own Paper: This super easy activity can show the family how easy it is to make something new with something old! All you need is a screen, like a window screen, a frame, and all different types of recycled paper. How-to videos can be found on YouTube, and there are some pretty creative designs!
4. Soil Your Undies: This is one of the coolest projects you'll see for soil testing! Want to know how healthy your soil is? Grab a new pair of 100% cotton underwear, find a spot in your backyard, and bury it about 3" down. Don't forget where you buried them! In 60 days, dig them back up and see how they weathered. If they're falling apart and broken down to almost nothing, your soil is great. If there is little to no change in the underwear, the soil isn't so great. The microbes in the soil are what consumes the cotton. Happy soil microbes give you the best product! Find out more information about this activity here.
5. Soil Painting: This is an art project/scavenger hunt in one! Find different types of soil and make a painting. Not all soil is the same color, depending on where you are. So many natural shades available to create stunning pieces! Research "soil painting" on YouTube and look at what some artists can make out a few soil types!
6. Recycling: Start recycling. Grab some bins, label them for different recyclable materials, and fill them up! It is a simple lifestyle change that can make a huge difference. You can call the Preble County SWMD to drop off a recycling can at your home or locate pick-up areas to drop the materials once the bins are full. Want a little competition? Count how many things you're able to recycle. The most recycled materials for the week gets a prize!
7. GO OUTSIDE! Enjoy playing a game together outside. Visit a park for a long nature hike to see the spring blooms and wildlife running around. Eat a picnic or go camping in your backyard. Go to the creek and go fishing. (Make sure you have your license with you!) Turn off the electronics when you can and enjoy the fresh air, if nothing else.
Hope you're able to get outdoors and try out one of these activities! You can find more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) games and activities through Google by searching for "outdoor conservation activities". We hope you all are making the best out of these hard times. Happy Earth Day!
Every year, the Preble SWCD and Preble County Solid Waste District host an Earth Day event for Preble County's 6th grade students. Students are able to learn about different jobs in agriculture and conservation. Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent closure of in-person schooling, we had to cancel the event. BUT, all is not lost! We would like to provide you with Earth Day activities that you can do everyday of the week to raise awareness for conservation. They are very adaptable for any situation, as well as "social-distancing" friendly!
Family Activities for Conservation Awareness:
1. Nature Hike: Throw some old boots or shoes on, and take a walk in the woods! Or, just head for a walk around the block. Want to volunteer to show your support for the environment? Take a trash bag or two with you, along with some gloves, and pick up all of the trash you see! Talk about why littering is dangerous and who it affects. Want to have some fun and incorporate some school work? Make a scavenger hunt with things you might pass along your walk. Bring your camera and have your child(ren) take a picture of each item they find! It's a real-life "Where is Waldo?" book!
2. Bug Hotel: For those with garden areas or families looking for a fun experiment outdoors, make a bug hotel out of natural and recycled materials. Grab a wooden box, plastic bottle, or old shelf you're ready to throw out, and fill it with natural materials to make a home for beneficial insects. Bug hotels promote biodiversity, which is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Hotels can also reduce the need for chemical pesticides, as it weeds out problem insects, and provides a habitat for pollinators necessary for a successful garden. Make sure to research what beneficial insects you'd like attract. Different insects prefer to live in different conditions and areas. Check on it periodically to see what you've attracted! (Note, a bug house may attract species that you didn't attend, but don't give up! Switching up your bug house materials can cause different results.)
3. Make Your Own Paper: This super easy activity can show the family how easy it is to make something new with something old! All you need is a screen, like a window screen, a frame, and all different types of recycled paper. How-to videos can be found on YouTube, and there are some pretty creative designs!
4. Soil Your Undies: This is one of the coolest projects you'll see for soil testing! Want to know how healthy your soil is? Grab a new pair of 100% cotton underwear, find a spot in your backyard, and bury it about 3" down. Don't forget where you buried them! In 60 days, dig them back up and see how they weathered. If they're falling apart and broken down to almost nothing, your soil is great. If there is little to no change in the underwear, the soil isn't so great. The microbes in the soil are what consumes the cotton. Happy soil microbes give you the best product! Find out more information about this activity here.
5. Soil Painting: This is an art project/scavenger hunt in one! Find different types of soil and make a painting. Not all soil is the same color, depending on where you are. So many natural shades available to create stunning pieces! Research "soil painting" on YouTube and look at what some artists can make out a few soil types!
6. Recycling: Start recycling. Grab some bins, label them for different recyclable materials, and fill them up! It is a simple lifestyle change that can make a huge difference. You can call the Preble County SWMD to drop off a recycling can at your home or locate pick-up areas to drop the materials once the bins are full. Want a little competition? Count how many things you're able to recycle. The most recycled materials for the week gets a prize!
7. GO OUTSIDE! Enjoy playing a game together outside. Visit a park for a long nature hike to see the spring blooms and wildlife running around. Eat a picnic or go camping in your backyard. Go to the creek and go fishing. (Make sure you have your license with you!) Turn off the electronics when you can and enjoy the fresh air, if nothing else.
Hope you're able to get outdoors and try out one of these activities! You can find more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) games and activities through Google by searching for "outdoor conservation activities". We hope you all are making the best out of these hard times. Happy Earth Day!
2017
Sixth graders from around Preble County gathered at PVM Camp outside of Camden on Thursday, April 27 to learn about protecting natural resources and the environment. The nineteenth annual Earth Day event was sponsored by Preble Soil and Water Conservation District (PSWCD) and Preble County Solid Waste Management District (PCSWMD).
Over 490 students and teachers gathered to hear presentations and participate in activities related to forestry, beekeeping, land use management, soils, Native Americans, maple syrup production, agriculture and food production, wildlife, energy production, and vermiculture (worm farming). Spread across PVM Camp in small groups, students had the chance to observe honeybees in a hive and dress in beekeeping protective gear, witness a Native American tribal dance, participate in the cardboard recycling process, test their hands at using land surveying equipment, witness firsthand the reasons for using caution with electricity, role play decision making related to land use management and zoning, and get up close and personal with skulls, furs, Native American artifacts, and Ohio native animals. Many games and activities had been planned to get the students involved and active in learning about these topics.
PSWCD and PCSWMD wish to thank the many people who came together to make this event possible, including school administrators, teachers, students, FFA members, and camp staff. A special thanks goes to program sponsors including Jubilee and Quaker Trace Tractor. In addition, the heart of the program lies with the many presenters who volunteer time to share their passions with the students in attendance. This group braved a rainy morning to get set up and ready for the program.
At any age it is important to remember the idea behind Earth Day and this annual program - our natural resources are limited and we must care for and protect them if they will continue to provide for future generations.
Over 490 students and teachers gathered to hear presentations and participate in activities related to forestry, beekeeping, land use management, soils, Native Americans, maple syrup production, agriculture and food production, wildlife, energy production, and vermiculture (worm farming). Spread across PVM Camp in small groups, students had the chance to observe honeybees in a hive and dress in beekeeping protective gear, witness a Native American tribal dance, participate in the cardboard recycling process, test their hands at using land surveying equipment, witness firsthand the reasons for using caution with electricity, role play decision making related to land use management and zoning, and get up close and personal with skulls, furs, Native American artifacts, and Ohio native animals. Many games and activities had been planned to get the students involved and active in learning about these topics.
PSWCD and PCSWMD wish to thank the many people who came together to make this event possible, including school administrators, teachers, students, FFA members, and camp staff. A special thanks goes to program sponsors including Jubilee and Quaker Trace Tractor. In addition, the heart of the program lies with the many presenters who volunteer time to share their passions with the students in attendance. This group braved a rainy morning to get set up and ready for the program.
At any age it is important to remember the idea behind Earth Day and this annual program - our natural resources are limited and we must care for and protect them if they will continue to provide for future generations.