CHS Eco-Action community garden

All are welcome. We meet once a week after school, rain or shine from 4-6 pm on Thursday. Our first day will be Thursday, Aug 31 (first week of school!)

We meet every Thursday in our Eco-Action garden behind D wing after school. We plant, build, organize...  whatever needs to be done!  Mr. Klakovich will be running the show this year! <sklakovich@chccs.k12.nc.us>

AFTER SCHOOL - Sign up HERE
                                Check your total Eco-Action hours HERE   (here for 2023-24)

You do NOT need a verification form for these hours!

We need a compost  supervisor!

We need a student who is willing to oversee our compost program this year. They will be responsible for compost trainings and monitoring the compost ambassadors as well as generating new ideas and implimenting them. This position is an opportunity to hone your leadership skills!  If you are interested, send Mr. Klakovich an email. You must work well independently and will be expected to work on this project all year.

LUNCH composting - NEW COMPOST TRAINING SOON

Moving our school to zero waste means we must increase the amount we compost. We need compost ambassadors that will talk with students at lunch and make sure they are correctly using the new compost system we are using this year. Working 4 lunches will count for 4 hours of service. 

1 - You must participate in a compost training first. Put your name on THIS form and we will let you know when the next training is
     There will be a training WEDNESDAY, March 13, in room D214

2 - Sign up for ambassador lunch spots HERE (After you've done your training)

3 - Show up when you signed up and help CHS compost!

You do NOT need a verification form for these hours!

Name? <XXXXXXXX@students.chccs.k12.nc.us>
XXXXX  is our Compost Supervisor. They are the one to send a thank you note to after your service

Help the Pollinator Club
9-11am, Saturdays
The student run pollinator club needs help with their on-campus pollinator garden project on Saturdays
Sign up HERE (limited to 4 people each Saturday)

Be an Eco-Action leader!

independent project

You know how hard it is to reserve a spot for Eco-Action. Well, why couldn't we have some student lead Eco-Action days. This would make it easier for students to work in the garden and provide an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership skills. If you have enjoyed working in the garden, have a good idea what goes on there and are interested in developing your leadership skills, send me an email and we can set up a meeting to talk about it. With less to do in the winter, this may become more viable in the spring when there will be a lot to do. Think about it!

Help reduce the waste at a CHS Event

 A football game, Culturefest, community dinner, or any other school event can be made more sustainable!

Help our community become more sustainable by providing proper waste bins at a school event. (compost!) You could also be sure that only compostable items will be used (forks, plates, cups... ) This will take a bit of organizing and documentation but what a great way of spreading the word about waste! Contact Mr. Klakovich <sklakovich@chccs.k12.nc.us>

Work with native plants at the CH library
Saturday, TBA, 9:30 - 12:00 
Show some love for Pritchard Park this Saturday

This month, we'll continue to clear the hillside above the book drop circle. If we finish up early, we'll jump over to Wisteria Lane (the foot path that winds through the Wisteria between the lower parking lot to the upper parking lot) to save our trees from this overwhelming and aggressive vine. Adam Smith - Parks Outreach Specialist from CH Parks and Recreation Dept. will join us again with his BIG truck and maybe the Gator too! We'll meet by the animal statues on the terrace to get everyone signed in and grab our tools. Don't forget the signed permission form if you're under 18 and please wear long pants, your sturdiest shoes or boots, a long sleeve shirt, etc. Bug spray is highly recommended. Saturday's weather will be great for working outdoors with plenty of clouds and a high around 70 degrees. 

You must have  THIS liability waiver signed by a parent (Bring signed to the event)

Please email Dale Morgan at dmorgan@townofchapelhill.org

Teen Science Cafe - at Moorhead planetarium

Third Friday of every month!
Next topic TBA

As soon as I know what the next topic is, I will post it here

Freund, Will <wfreund@unc.edu> 

For real Science nerds, there is another event that meets the second Tuesday of every month that is catered to an adult audience. Find out more about the Carolina Science Cafe HERE. If there is a topic that you are interested in, this could be a very satisfying evening for you. 

The Farm at Penny Lane 

Volunteer work days scheduled on Monday and Thursday evenings from 4 PM - 8 PM, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10 AM – 12 PM, and on the second Saturday of each month (times vary with the seasons).

Tasks usually involve things such as starting seedlings, Planting directly in the garden or field, Mulching beds, Turning compost, Weeding, Harvesting, Special projects like building trellises, Trail maintenance. Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a water bottle. Everyone is welcome. Youth under the age of 18 must have a valid drivers license and bring a signed waiver form. 

All volunteers must complete a Visitor Liability and Media Release.

An online volunteer sign up can be found at here.

Jessamine Hyatt <hyatt.jessamine@gmail.com>

Become a member of the Learning Outside Eco-Crew! 

This organization's mission is to grow deep connections between children and  the natural world. They host workshops for different age students throughout the week. High school students volunteer on Saturdays for 4 hours. 

Our next volunteer opportunity is our high school Eco-Crew work day on May 20th 10:00 – 2:00.

To sign-up to attend, please email shelby@learningoutside.org.

Contact Wendy Banning <wendy@learningoutside.org>

Here is a link to the Learning Outside website

The Scrap Exchange

2050 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC  27707

Cappye Mott - volunteer@scrapexchange.org

The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit creative reuse center whose mission is to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.  Since 1991, we have been collecting materials from local businesses and residents and distributing these reclaimed materials through our retail store, community events, parties and workshops.  Materials include craft materials, sewing supplies, foam, paper, test tubes, More information at http://scrapexchange.org/join-us/volunteer/

There are lots of projects that you could organize and complete. Be sure to to get preapproval! You will need to Download an Independent Project Time Sheet

 Here are just a few ideas:

Clean Morgan Creek - Get a group of students to help you clean up an area where trash is collecting.  This could be a creek or street.  Just be sure to find a place that really needs cleaning. You will have to promote the day, sign up students, and I would like you to perform an audit of the trash when you are done. 

Battery recycling - Be in charge of our battery recycling program. Monitor collection, take batteries to recycling center, promote awareness, plan events

Whiteboard marker recycling - Be in charge of our whiteboard recycling program. Monitor collection, mail to where they need to go, promote awareness, plan events

Booker Creek Restoration Work

Looking forward to your next opportunity to get outside, meet interesting people, and make a difference while working to beautify the trail?  Just an hour or two of your time can make a difference as we continue the forest restoration project to benefit the wildlife, health, and appearance of the trail.  

·       Time: 10 am – 12:30 pm

·       Place:  The Booker Creek Trail near the Daley Road entrance.  https://goo.gl/maps/Uj7dji1thsuSEdC47 

·       Parking:    Please be aware of the No Parking signs at the trails entrance and locate a parking spot on the street where the signs are not posted. 

·       Tools:  We will have tools and gloves available for your use but if you have your own, please bring them along as we tend to run short.

·       Sign-up: volunteersignup.org/PK348 

·       Please complete the online volunteer form every time you volunteer: CH Parks & Recs. Volunteer Form.        

The Town is sponsoring this event so any high school students that need volunteer hours this is your opportunity to secure them.  Please be sure to sign in the morning of the event to get credit.  The event is listed as Adopt A Trail on Booker Creek Feb. 10 in the letserv app.

Jeanette Bench <jeanettebench82@gmail.com> 

Bolin Creek Restoration Work
Sunday March 24,  9 - 2pm
Learn about native plants and hone your planting skills as we vegetate the new Carrboro regenerative stormwater conveyance,
designed to reduce erosion and protect Bolin Creek. (Flyer)

WHERE TO MEET - Check in at Amber Court cul de sac. (map)
Parking is available at Forest Court condos off Bolin Creek Drive.

Please RSVP - Which days you can join, (send to Meg at meg1molloy@gmail.com)

Bring your own -  garden gloves, trowels and shovel if you have one

Community planting day!
Saturday, May,  18 -  9am to 12pm
Urban Sustainability Solutions is a local organization dedicated to educating students in green infrastructure and stormwater management. 

We have been working with a local Carrboro neighborhood (102 Crest St.) to implement different stormwater management systems. 
We will be hosting a community volunteer day to plant natives along the swales and in the community to aid water treatment.

Click HERE for more information

Suzy Schmalbeck  <urbanss.org@gmail.com> 

Jordan Lake Annual Spring Clean up

Saturday, March 23, 9-12 noon
FHave you ever participated in a trash clean up?  Its much more fun than it sounds. Join other members of your community to help clean up Jordan Lake
Follow THIS link for more information including the liability waiver form

Keep Durham Beautiful
This is a terrific organiziation that sponsors various event throughout the year. The nexst one is Jan 15, MLD Day!
Click HERE for more information

Water Quality monitoring for the Town of Chapel Hill

The town of Chapel Hill wants YOU to help monitor the water quality of our local creeks
You will be trained and given all the equipment that you need. This opportunity is limited to only 10 students

Learn more about it HERE

Sammy Bauer <sbauer@townofchapelhill.org> 

Post Boro-Blowout Campus Cleanup

Saturday, May 25, 9-11

NHS members will be on campus this Saturday from 9-11 to do a post- Boro Blowout campus cleanup

Timothy Walker twalker@chccs.k12.nc.us

Invasive Species removal in Hillsborough
Saturday, March 25, 9 to noon
For this workday we'll be removing Chinese privet and will provide loppers, pruning saws, and weed wrenches, as well as gloves.   Students aren't required to work the full three hours, but we do ask everyone to arrive promptly at 9am since we'll distribute tools and divide into groups then.  Each group will have an adult supervisor. Participants will need to complete and sign the Town's waiver form, which can be accessed from the sign-up sheet and is also attached here. We'll begin the event by talking briefly about the role of native plants in our ecosystem and the threat posed by invasive exotic species. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots, water bottles, and appropriate clothing.  We'll provide gloves, tools, and snacks.  Please sign up for the event here and bring a completed waiver form

Timothy Logue <tglogue@msn.com> 

Booker Creek Restoration Work
Saturday, April 29, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Looking forward to your next opportunity to get outside, meet interesting people, and make a difference while working to beautify the trail?  Just an hour or two of your time can make a difference as we continue the forest restoration project to benefit the wildlife, health, and appearance of the trail.  We will meet in the area near the pedestrian bridge at the Daily Road entrance to the Booker Creek Trail.     

Place: The Booker Creek Trail near the Daley Road entrance.  https://goo.gl/maps/Uj7dji1thsuSEdC47

Parking:   Please be aware of the No Parking signs at the trails entrance and locate a parking spot on the street where the signs are not posted. 

Tools:  The town is providing the gloves and tools for our use.  

Sign-up: volunteersignup.org/R8YWR 

Please complete the online volunteer form every time you volunteer: CH Parks & Recs. Volunteer Form

 Jeanette Bench <jeanettebench82@gmail.com>   

Clean Jordan Lake

Saturday, March 18, 2022 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Spend the afernoon cleaning part of Jordan Lake!
HERE is more information about this event. You need to sign up using meet-up. There is a limited number of spots so sign up early!

HERE is a link  to print out and fill out the liability form

Community contact (for thankyou email) - Francis DiGiano <frandigiano@cleanjordanlake.org>

Residential rain garden clinic

March 24, 1:30-5:30

Chapel Hill Public Library

This workshop is intended to teach residents how to build and maintain rain gardens at the homes. (You know all about these!)

We need students to participate as well as help the day run smoothly.

Register here and contact Julie McClintock  Mcclintockjulie@gmail.com 

Garden clean-up days at McDougle

Saturday mornings -  October 23 and Nov 6, (9 - noon)

Sunday afternoons - October 24 and November 7, (2 - 5pm)

HERE is a link with more information

Heather S. Kennealy  <hskennealy@gmail.com> 

CHS Native plant garden - Front of school

Saturday, August 27 (8 - 11 am)

We need students to come out and help us clean up our native plant bed at the front of school so it looks nice for the first day!. Come out and help out while learning about the native plants of North Carolina. Please wear closed toed shoes! NO SANDALS!!
You must Email Angela Clemmons <clemmonsorama@gmail.com> to insure your spot. 

OWASA Youth Water Academy

DATES: March 16, 23, April 6, 13 and 20, 2022

TIME: Wednesdays after school from 4:30-6:00pm

LOCATION: 400 Jones Ferry Rd. (most sessions will take place outside)

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Feb. 25, 2022

Apply now using THIS LINK  ONLY 12 SPOTS

LEARN FROM OWASA’S TALENTED TEAM of engineers, operators, distribution crews, scientists, administrative staff and more. They work behind-the-scenes to deliver safe and reliable water and wastewater to the community – because water is vital to community development, sustainability, and living healthy!

Amy Armbruster

Sustainability and Outreach Coordinator

aarmbruster@owasa.org

FPG Garden work
Sunday , March 20th, 1-4 pm

The PTSA is hosting another garden work day.Use the link below to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A48A5AA2BA2F58-mcdougle   

Campus parking lot clean up

Saturday June 3rd, 10am-12pm

Meet in the student parking lot by the athletic fields. Some gloves will be available. Please fill out this short form if you are interested in participating: 

Email EJ Britt (ebritt@students.chccs.k12.nc.us) with any questions. 

Invasive species removal - Riverwalk Greenway (Hillsborough)

Saturday, October 15, 10 - 12:30

Japaneses Stiltgrass is a very damaging invasive species. We are going to remove a bunch of this plant to keep it out of the River. Help us keep it from spreading!  You can read more about it here. 

• Students will need to complete THIS waiver form and bring it to the event.

• You must emaill Mr. Logue in advance so he can estimate attendance.

• We'll provide gloves as well as bug spray for students.

Timothy Logue <tglogue@msn.com>

What homeowners can do to reduce stormwater
Saturday, October 29th, 9 – 11:00 am

Location:  

Please meet at Forest Court Townhouses parking area at 100 Forest Ct, Carrboro, NC 27510.  We will then walk to several adjacent home landscapes to discuss problem identification and possible solutions and cost.  As parking is limited, if you live nearby, we ask that you walk over. 

Workshop Description:  

Water drainage issues around the home and  surrounding landscape are a very common problem in our area.  Poorly draining heavy clay soils combined with unmaintained & often clogged roof gutters and downspouts can lead to wet crawl spaces, rotted siding, erosion, and mosquitoes.

This outside, hands-on, practical educational workshop will be presented by  Mitch Woodward, NC State University Cooperative Extension Water Quality Specialist as part of the Town of Carrboro EPA - 319 Stormwater Grant in partnership with 5 Carrboro area neighborhoods and Friends of Bolin Creek.   We will meet in Forest Court parking area and start our walking tour of nearby residences at 9:00 AM sharp.  This workshop will be held rain or shine, so please come prepared to be outside for about 2 hours walking to nearby landscapes to identify water issues and discuss solutions!

Please RSVP your attendance by October 27 to dshoffner@carrboronc.gov

Help the "Friends of Bolin Creek" teach about stormwater at a food truck rodeo!

Sunday, Nov 14 (11-3pm)

I am looking for 2 - 4 students to participate in the Friends of Bolin Creek table at the 2022 Food Truck rodeo devoted to non profits and worthwhile causes. It will be held at the Legion Park from 11 am - to 3 pm next Sunday,  November 13th.  Two students each could sign up for 11 - 1 pm, and from 1 - 3 pm. Our table will feature posters telling about our watersheds and where our water comes from, and the importance of maintaining our foresst to maintain the health of our creeks. Students can choose among these activities:  (1) do a demo on the role or trees; (2) conduct a hands on experiment with sod and water absorption vs impervious surfaces and; (3) lead visitors in a game of "guess the forest critter"

Interested students should contact: Julie Mcclintock <mcclintock.julie@gmail.com>  

Create a composting video for us to use next year!

We need a video to show in Real Talk next year to teach all students how to compost. Anyone can make a video and earn hours, but the winner's video will be shown in Real Talk next year. Here are the requirements:

    1-3 people per video
    Video must be visually appealing, easy to follow, and produce a correct, clear message about why and how we compost
    Video should be 2-3 minutes long and include:

• a quick intro about why composting matters (compost in landfills produces methane, which increases global temperatures, contributing to harmful effects of global warming)

• what can and cannot go in compost

• where to find compost bins during lunch

If you're interested, print a personal project time sheet to keep track of time spent on your video (found on Mr. Klakovich's page), and email the finished product to me!

Don't hesitate to email me with any questions!

Kate Adams <kmadams@students.chccs.k12.nc.us>