Green Environmental Center

Submitted by huskerchica787 on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 15:14

the problem:

I have spent the last 6 months researching environmental issues in hopes of sparking my project idea for my Girl Scout Gold Award. I have always been concerned about the environment and that we are not doing enough as a society to protect our fragile earth. Interestingly what became evident in my research is that those wanting us to start thinking green were not putting enough emphasis on providing something green that was tangible for young children to experience. However the outdoor retailer REI is one example of others providing green activities for children. They have partnered with Leave No Trace to develop fun interactive and educational outreach programs.

vital stats:

people impacted:

10,000

people involved:

300

why it's important:

I believe I am the right person for the job because I felt connected to the environment since I was little. When I went on my first family hike in the panhandle of West Texas the scenery took my breath away that I knew that I was a part of this beautiful world that was so much bigger than just me. I believe that I am the person to create the miracle of an Environmental Center in West Texas.

the plan of action:

I am building a Green Environmental Center for my Girl Scout Gold Award. The center will be made using the Compressed Earth Block method of building construction. The Center will be at Camp Rio Blanco our region's Girl Scout Camp in Crosbyton Texas and open to all children that live in the Texas South Plains. I have organized an amazing design team of ten professionals that are committed to my cause and are volunteering to make my dream or mission a reality. I believe my Green Environmental Center will be a positive step to educating children about living green. We are all guilty of wasteful living. We throw away what we are tired of or don't use any longer. These products are at times re-used but more frequently are found in our dumpsters and then to our landfills. People in our country need to be educated on the tasks around us which are to save the planet that we take for granted everyday and to make a conscious effort to not waste our precious resources. This is my reason for selecting this project. The children that will visit my Green Environmental Center will be educated about the environmental issues so that they can make a difference someday. For example I plan to have one interior wall in the center built from aluminum cans. And I will be bringing the younger Girl Scouts to the work site so they can help with this innovative construction. I am also using glass bottles for windows. I really want this center to be created with kids in mind. I believe if we start teaching Green concepts at earlier ages all children will start living with the same green attitudes. Who knows they might end up saving the planet in their own little way and every little effort makes a big difference. My project will also include other aspects. For example I am writing a classroom curriculum with Green teaching activities. This curriculum manual will be made available to schools on DVD so that they can teach Green concepts. This teaching can take place in their classrooms or they can travel and take a field trip to my Environmental Center. I am also remapping two nature trails at my camp. This will include mapping identifying the plants and wildlife and incorporating the â€œLeave No Traceâ€ concept for outdoor recreation. And I am including The Green Challenge which will be the final step of my project. This will be my personal plea to Girl Scouts around the nation and our world to incorporate Green centers in their Girl Scout Councils. I believe that this is a perfect time to move forward on this type of project because the focus of our country's political leaders and our National Girl Scout Leaders is to Think Green. Remember from a young child's mind thinking green and actually seeing or living green would be two very different things. Therefore I believe the only way to teach thinking and living green is to have a child friendly green environment for children to experience being green. I believe in my project and know that I must personally take a stand to get things started. My Green Environmental Center is just a small step to helping the children of the Texas South Plains live and experience the Green movement.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can help by trying to get children involved with the environment in the community. Please visit my website.

project updates:

04/11/2010

Update:

Lorax Lodge was dedicated in October, 2009. 1235 people have visited to date. Due to inclement weather, the numbers have been slightly lower than anticipated. But, approximately 2000 students have been introduced to Lorax Lodge through my curriculum guide.

The pictures I posted are from the Lorax-Green Camp that was held about 2 weeks ago. I was asked by the Girl Scouts to lead several of the activities. It was really fun. About 85 five and six year olds attended and 60 adults.

I have been keeping my blog site up to date with monthly blogs. Check it out at www.visionisgreen.wordpress.com

Photos:

01/10/2010

Update:

I am so excited to let everyone know that Lorax Lodge has become a HOT spot in West Texas. "Green" workshops are being held in the center and participants are learning about our fragile environment. I have also started a BLOG site. My goal is to provide "Green" living tips for everyone to incorporate into their lives. I also listed all the people and companies that made a donation of gift or time in the building of Lorax Lodge. You can check out my blog site at www.visionisgreen.wordpress.com

Photos:

08/13/2009

Update:

Windows were installed this week on August 11th.

Photos:

03/12/2009

Update:

check out my new pics!!!

Photos:

03/12/2009

Update:

I have recently broke ground. My website has been finised, www.visionisgren.org. We start compressing the blocks on Monday, March 16th. And by the end of the week we will have the walls put up. The ground has been leveled and i marked out a trail leading down from where the building will be put up. I got to drive a backhoe and i was scared out of my mind. Things have been looking up for my project and hopefully, things will go even smoother.

Photos:

02/22/2009

Update:

I have gotten a roof donated. I have also received over $84,000 in cash and donations. My community has backed me 100 percent and we are ready to break ground on March 1, 2009. The dedication is May 16, 2009. I have a website under construction, www.visionisgreen.org. It will be ready within the week so check-in for more info later and you can check back in to this site for pictures coming soon.

Photos:

12/09/2008

Update:

I had an incredible ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication on October 11, 2009. Over 70 people came out to help celebrate my Environmental Center, now called Lorax Lodge.

It is really exciting because there is so much enthusiasm about my project that I plan to develop other components. For example, I now want to start a drip irrigation system for the landscaping around my building.

I also plan to have a quarterly Blog on my web-site.

Photos:

Comments

mstevenson says:

Wow! Good luck on your awesome endeavor. You should think about joining the Increase Your Green competition. Check out www.dosomething.org/increaseyourgreen.

elaine.yu says:

you should also apply for a Do Something Grant or additional financial support!

huskerchica787 says:

Thanks. I just saw your post. I am applying for the Do Something Award. Wish me luck!

Green Environmental Center

the problem:

vital stats:

why it's important:

the plan of action:

how you can get involved:

project updates:

Comments

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