Newsletter
NEUQUA VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB NEWSLETTER
MISSION: We will help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations through activities and events that promote recycling, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage others to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Litter Pickup Around Lake Birkett (10/21/21)
NVEco cleaned up litter around Lake Birkett, which is directly behind Neuqua, on October 21, 2021. Altogether, four full reusable 4Oceans bags were filled. Much of the litter was single-use plastic items, and we pulled a lot from the water. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it. There will be more opportunities in the spring!
Special Guest - Jean and Kay (1/28/21):
NVEco featured Jean and Kay from SCARCE as a speaker on January 28, 2021. Along with giving us a tour of their new workplace, Jean and Kay talked about different collections (such as crayons and bread tags) that the organization runs. SCARCE also offers many volunteer opportunities!
Click HERE for the SCARCE website.
Special Guest - Kate and Mike (10/22/20):
NVEco featured Kate and Mike from Meliora as a speaker on October 22, 2020. They gave us a fascinating tour of their company's workplace. Kate and Mike also explained that Meliora is a Certified B Corp company and what it means to be a B Corp.
Click HERE for the Meliora website
Special Guest - Dr. Aparna Das (10/8/20):
NVEco featured Dr. Aparna Das as a speaker on October 8, 2020. Dr. Das explained how engineering and other forms of science are used to address each form of pollution, such as water, air, and noise pollution. She also explained how the environment connects with all of us on a daily basis.
Click HERE for Dr. Das's presentation.
Brookfield Zoo Field Trip (10/22/19):
NVEco visited the Brookfield Zoo on October 22, 2019. Members from the King Conservation Scholars Program taught NVEco about the program's goals and different methods of animal conservation. Throughout the zoo, the club saw many animals, and the students also learned about the impact of several actions on the conservation of animals.
The Morton Arboretum Field Trip (4/11/19):
NVEco visited The Morton Arboretum on April 11, 2019. The club walked through the grounds and learned about many forms of conservation (Ex: trees and bees). NVEco was also able to enjoy the Troll Hunt!
Special Guests from The Conservation Foundation (3/21/19):
NVEco welcomed special speakers from The Conservation Foundation on March 21, 2019. The speakers explained that the Foundation checks how clean the water bodies are by checking what kinds of macro invertebrates live in the water. If there are many pollutant-tolerant invertebrates, the water is most likely polluted. On the other hand, if there are many pollutant-intolerant invertebrates, the water is most likely not polluted. During the meeting, the club had an opportunity to compare the types of invertebrates that live in Lake Birkett versus those that live in the Foundation's wetlands. Amphibians are also indicators of the pollution levels of the water bodies. Since amphibians absorb water, they are more affected by pollution. If there are more amphibians, it means that the water is not polluted. One of these amphibians is a salamander, which the Foundation brought in for the club to view.
SCARCE Field Trip (3/7/19):
NVEco visited SCARCE in Glen Ellyn on March 7, 2019. SCARCE gave the club a tour and explained that SCARCE sorts and recycles school materials, which are then sold to teachers. For example, the club sorted crayons into Ziploc bags so that teachers can take a bag of crayons back to their school. The club also helped SCARCE create jumbo crayons by melting broken crayons and pouring them into molds. These jumbo crayons can be used by people who have difficulties using their motor skills.
Storm Drain Medallion Project - SCARCE (10/25/18):
With the help of SCARCE, NVEco is spreading awareness about keeping the drains clean. Many people dump materials down the storm drains because they believe that the drain is anyway dirty. However, by dumping toxic materials, it is harder for sewage treatment plants to treat the water. Thus, NVEco went around Neuqua and nearby areas to place Storm Drain Medallions, which inform the public not to dump anything in the drain.
Conservation Foundation Field Trip (3/15/18):
NVEco went to the McDonald Farm, which is taken care of by the Conservation Foundation. The Environmental Club learned how the McDonald Farm uses organic farming techniques, which means that they do not use any synthetic fertilizers or synthetic pesticides. The club also learned about all the different organisms that thrive in the farm, such as blue birds and salamanders. The Conservation Foundation then taught NVEco what materials can be recycled and what cannot be recycled, and they showed the club how to compost and the benefits of composting.
blue + gold = green
Opportunities to Help:
We will be adopting the green spaces in the B-wing and D-wing. Help us in the spring by weeding, mulching, and turning these areas into extended classrooms. IPEF grant is in process.
We hope to adopt the interior green space outside the FACS classrooms as well. We are working with administration and to discuss options.
Tip Sheet to Green Your School: https://www.custommade.com/blog/green-your-school/
Check out our Service Tab for more opportunities!
Our Goals:
Re-educate our school about district recycling.
Encourage students to replace water bottles with reusable, environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Educate students about climate change and ways they can reduce their carbon footprints.
Encourage students to replace plastic straws with metal, bamboo, paper, or pasta straws.
Take field trips to the Conservation Foundation and to the Morton Arboretum to learn about sustainability.
To partner with English, science, and social studies classes to make positive changes in our school.
To look into the possibility of replacing paper towels in the bathrooms at NV with hand dryers.
JOIN OUR REMIND:
Text @NVeco to 81010
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@NeuquaECO
REDUCE:
Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future
Styrofoam is very difficult to recycle. The best way to protect the environment is to stop using it, or recycle at the Dart facility in Aurora, IL.
REUSE:
Pack a waste-free lunch with reusable containers, napkins, and utensils.
Donate (and buy used):
household items - clothes, furniture, dishes, books, sports equipment, magazines, appliances, electronics, business attire, wedding attire, etc. (to charity)
RECYCLE:
Half of the 100 billion cans sold in the U.S. last year were landfilled or incinerated.
Create a local recycling sheet which includes hard to recycle items. Post it on your fridge and share it with others.
Be on the lookout for our EcoChallenge in the Fall!
Additional Sources/References: