EPA/745-B-97-007 August 1997 AN INTERNET GUIDE TO PROMOTE CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO GENERATE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED INVOLVEMENT ------- STATEMENT OF PURPOSE This guide contains a detailed list of Internet sites demonstrating strategies that promote concern for the environment and generate support for community-based activity. For example, recycling is one strategy that a community organization may find useful. If so, this guide provides several different Internet sites that the community organization can utilize to promote recycling. Each site has been listed alphabetically under the strategy it demonstrates. The strategies have also been organized alphabetically. Attached to the description of each site is the Internet address needed to locate the site. By no means does this guide include every site or even every strategy that could be utilized by a community. Such a list would be unwieldy and frequently out-of-date as new information is constantly being added to the Internet. Instead, this guide is intended to serve as a tool for tapping into the vast array of resources and ideas available to communities as they pursue environmental initiatives. Suggested Uses of this Directory: - to locate and learn about environmentally-oriented resources available on the Internet - to access these sites periodically to remain up-to-date on environmental issues - to contact and exchange information with other environmentally concerned citizens - to aid in the brainstorming process for ideas that can be incorporated into the "plan for action" for community-based organizations - to utilize these sites as models or templates to implement community-based projects Disclaimer This guide is not intended to be an endorsement of any non-EPA sites described herein. EPA has not verified the information contained at the non-EPA sites and therefore cannot guarantee their accuracy or utility. 1 ------- ------- Table of Contents Statement of Purpose 1 Introduction 3 Listing of Internet Sites by Strategy The Aesthetic Approach: When Beauty is Not Just "Skin Deep" 4 Promoting Issue Awareness 5 Monitoring Compliance and Getting Support from Businesses which Service the Community 7 It's Never Too Early to Learn: Children as the Focus 8 Utilizing Colleges and Other Institutions of Higher Learning 9 Commutation and Transportation: Environmentally Concerned Ways of Getting to Work and Elsewhere 10 Focusing on Consumer Products 12 Energy Saving 13 Taking the Hotline Approach 14 Encouraging Local Industry to Get Involved 15 Linking with Other Communities 16 Promoting Outings/Activities that Inspire Support 17 Recycling 18 Getting Teachers to Help 19 ------- ------- Introduction According to the President's Council on Sustainable Development, "The role of local communities is becoming increasingly important as the United States, and much of the rest of the world, moves toward more decentralized decisionmaking."! By working together, the members of a community can improve the environment and at the same time strengthen their economy. This guide is just one example of how EPA is fostering community' participation hi environmental decision making. For any organization, and especially for community-based organizations with limited funds, the Internet provides an affordable and invaluable source of information on a seemingly limitless number of topics. This guide is concerned with those strategies that can be utilized by community-based organizations looking to promote concern for the environment and to generate support for community-based environmental projects. Actually, this guide addresses strategies available to those community-based organizations that are already "up and running." While information about starting a community-based organization, setting up an office, and obtaining funding is of critical importance, it is not the focus of this particular guide. To make this guide a useful resource, a dedicated effort was made to avoid the production of a document that simply lists an overwhelming number of sites without considering the user's ability to derive any real value from the information. Instead, every site within this guide was read carefully and then categorized according to the strategy it exemplifies. Not every site considered was included. Only those sites that best illustrated a particular strategy were incorporated into the final product. If a strategy appeals to your organization, further information can be obtained from the sites listed for that strategy. Whether a particular site will serve as a means for contacting other communities, as an example for borrowing ideas or even replicating a program in operation elsewhere, or just as a source of information, will depend upon the environmental focus, as well as the make-up, of the community-based organization. In developing this guide an attempt was made to fashion a list of strategies that are distinct. Some overlap, however, was unavoidable as many of the strategies complement each other. Many communities are burdened by complex problems and concerns both within and outside of the environmental arena. This guide is just one tool, to be used in conjunction with many other tools, that communities can use in their pursuit of a cleaner, healthier environment. 1 Sustainable America: A New Consensus for the Future. Chapter 4: Strengthening Communities. The President's Council on Sustainable Development. February 1996. This report can be located on the Internet at http://www.whitehoitse.gov/WH/EOP/pcsd/tf-reports/amer-top.htinl ------- THE AESTHETIC APPROACH: WHEN BEAUTY IS NOT JUST "SKIN DEEP" Forest Service Source: Agency within the United States Department of Agriculture http://www.fs.fed.us/spf This federal agency states that it has a "responsibility to connect federal forest resource management programs, expertise and objectives to ... 45,000 rural and urban communities." The Urban and Community Forestry Program, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, seeks to expand citizen involvement at the community level. Information regarding program accomplishments and the allocation of federal and private funds for community forestry projects can be obtained at this site. Also available at this site is a detailed list of urban forestry contacts. Distinguishing feature: provides information about a federal agency committed to community- based forestry programs. Friends of Trees Source: Non-profit hrrp://www.teleport.coim/~fot This organization is devoted to the planting, care and protection of trees in urban settings. One of its goals is to bring together neighbors for tree planting projects. Friends of Trees helps organize tree planting projects. Such projects create a more friendly, tightly-knit community. In addition to purifying the air and preventing erosion, trees provide shade and make the neighborhood more beautiful. Although Friends of Trees is based in Portland, Oregon, its goal of tree planting can and should be replicated in other communities. Distinguishing feature: provides an example of pursuing neighborhood beautification through tree planting projects. Green Landscaping with Native Plants Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/docs/grtlakes/greenacres/index.html This site advocates the use of native plants in landscaping designs. The native plants for a particular location are those species indigenous to the area. Besides being beautiful, native landscapes require less maintenance than conventional lawns. They also reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. This site provides an explanation of the environmental benefits that can be realized by using native species. While this site is devoted to the Great Lakes basin, the concept can be applied to other communities. Distinguishing feature: promotes a way to make the local environment more beautiful and at the same time relaxes a community's dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. ------- I PROMOTING ISSUE AWARENESS Envirofacts Warehouse Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/enviro/index.html This relational database integrates information from a number of EPA program systems. At this site users can access information about Superfund areas, hazardous wastes, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) (see below), water discharge permits, and much more. Easy to use mapping tools are also available through the Warehouse. Moreover, this site has a search engine for gathering information about a specific facility or location. Distinguishing feature: serves as a useful site for individuals or organizations beginning research on an issue as well as for those individuals or organizations looking to keep up-to-date on environmental issues. Right-to-Know Network Source: Funded by government agencies and managed by OMB Watch and The Unison Institute, non-profit organizations http://www.rtk.net This network was started in 1989 in support of the Emergency Planning and Community Right- to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPCRA requires public access to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) (see below). Focusing on the environment, housing, and sustainable development, this site provides free access to databases and text files. It also lists information about training sessions being offered at locations throughout the United States. Distinguishing feature: provides a broad selection of resources for tracking a wide range of environmental issues. Surf Your Watershed Source. U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/surf This web site incorporates a catchy title, as well as colorful graphics, to entice readers to locate their watershed and access information about their water supply. This site also has a "Speak Out" feature, where individuals concerned about watershed-based environmental protection can exchange information and ideas. Distinguishing feature: through the use of on screen maps or with the inputting of one's zip code, a watershed's location, as well as information about that watershed, can be obtained. ------- Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tri Resulting in an annual report, the TRI database contains information about toxic chemicals that are released into the environment. TRI was created pursuant to Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Distinguishing feature: enables citizens to become informed about the release of toxic chemicals into the environment. For example, the TRI State Fact Sheets provide a "snapshot" of TRI releases reported for each State. The snapshot shows the number of facilities reporting, the total amount of releases, and it also identifies the facilities reporting the greatest releases. This is just one example of how "individuals and organizations using TRI knit together concerned citizens with top corporate and government decision makers." ------- MONITORING COMPLIANCE AND GETTING SUPPORT FROM BUSINESSES WHICH SERVICE THE COMMUNITY Food Quality Protection Act (FOPA1 of 1996: Source: Federal Law. Site provided by U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/opppspsl/fqpa This law establishes a single health-based safety standard for pesticide residues in raw and processed foods. As for the community-based component of this law, access the heading "New Directions in Public Health Protection," located at the above site. Under this heading, the "consumer right to know" discussion of the law states that within two years and annually thereafter, EPA must publish a brochure that explains the risks and benefits of pesticides as well as methods to avoid pesticide exposure. This brochure will be provided to large retail grocers, who will then distribute the brochure. Distinguishing feature: utilizes retail outlets within communities as a means of information dissemination. Orange County Corporate Combined Volunteer Source: Over 40 Corporations Project (CCVP) in Orange County, California http://www.suremail.com/occcvp "The vision of the Orange County Corporate Combined Volunteer Project (CCVP) is to provide an opportunity for companies to participate in community service projects that enhance the quality of life in the communities in which they do business." This project focuses on providing support to deserving non-profit agencies. As of 1996, participation in this project has grown to over 40 corporations doing business in Orange County. Distinguishing feature: provides an example of a coordinated approach to corporate involvement in community service. Small Business Assistance Program Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/ttn/sbap/welcome.html The 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act require all States to develop a program to assist small businesses in meeting the requirements of the Act. Through an electronic bulletin board, site browsers can learn about the potential partnerships involving small businesses. Information about regulations applicable to small businesses, as well as compliance incentives, can also be located at this site. Finally, this site provides links to many of the State programs required by the 1990 Amendments. Distinguishing feature: allows users to keep apprised of regulations and State program initiatives that apply to small businesses. ------- IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO LEARN: CHILDREN AS THE FOCUS Concerned Citizens: Protecting Our Children Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/epahome/children.htm This site is devoted to educating adults about the health threats to children. It provides information about indoor air quality, asbestos, asthma, secondhand smoke, lead in the home, lead in drinking water, pesticides, carbon monoxide, sun protection and more. Many of the topics discussed at this site provide simple steps that can be taken to reduce or eliminate any danger to your child. Distinguishing feature: focuses on the susceptibility of children to particular environmental threats. E-Patrol Source: Non-profit http://www.sprint.com/epatrol E-Patrol is devoted to helping children solve and prevent environmental problems. E-Patrol has developed an environmental curriculum that is presently being used in organized settings such as camps, youth organizations and schools. One example of an E-Patrol resource is "Rainforest Rescue," which guides children through a mock rainforest adventure. Another example is "Recycle 1,2,3" which addresses recycling and discusses ways to reduce the production of waste. Sprint and Coca-Cola are just two of the companies that support E-Patrol. Distinguishing feature: taps corporate resources to provide educational materials that are ready to be incorporated into formal settings. Kids Web Source: A part of the Living Textbook Project funded by New York State http://www.npac.syr.edu/textbook/kidsweb An educational site geared toward children in grades K through 12. According to this site, "Ideally the students should be presented with a subset of the Web that is very simple to navigate, and contains information targeted at the K - 12 level. This is the goal of Kids Web." One part of this digital library is devoted to the environmental sciences. Links to the EPA, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can be accessed from this site. Distinguishing feature: provides children with a resource that can serve as a springboard for other educational materials with a focus on environmental studies. ------- UTILIZING COLLEGES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING Campus Environmental Yearbook Source: Campus Ecology, a program of the National Wildlife Federation http://www.linkmag.com/yearbook/10.html This site promotes community outreach projects. A basic approach advocated by this group is, (1) getting to know the identity and make-up of community organizations, (2) participating in community events, (3) planning an event with a community organization and (4) promoting frequent interaction with the community to build trust. Distinguishing feature: focuses on college campuses but also describes how college organizations can improve surrounding communities. Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPO Source: University of California at Los Angeles http://copc.sppsr.ucla.edu Run by the University's Department of Urban Planning and the Advanced Policy Institute, the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) focuses on developing community partnerships. "The Partnership Center is designed to be a University research organization working in partnership with community organizations and community concerns." Emphasis is placed on applied research, which is research produced by the University which "can have immediate and practical uses for community development,..." Distinguishing feature: provides research on community issues, thereby enriching both the university and the community. While this organization focuses on communities in the Los Angeles area, the lessons learned can be applied elsewhere. Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Source: University of Minnesota http://www.misa.umn.edu The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a partnership between the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and non-profit organizations. Members of the Sustainers' Coalition include the Organic Growers and Buyers Association, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Minnesota Project, a program dedicated to strengthening Minnesota's rural communities. According to MISA, its purpose "is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond." Distinguishing feature: utilizes the resources and creative minds at a university to benefit both the communities and the students of the university. ------- COMMUTATION AND TRANSPORTATION: ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCERNED WAYS OF GETTING TO WORK AND ELSEWHERE Capital Metro Commuter Transit Options Source: Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin,TX http://www.capmetro.austin.tx.us/ato/commtran.htin This site provides practical information about car pooling and other transportation services available to people in the Austin, Texas area. Capital Metro will help organize car pools. Suggestions for employers looking to motivate their employees to join car pools are also available at this site. Besides freeing up congested roadways, car pooling cuts down on automobile emissions, which, in turn, means cleaner air for the whole community. Distinguishing feature: provides an example of an organization which promotes car pools. Community Transportation Association of America Source: Non-profit h ttp ://www.ctaa.org According to this organization, "Community transportation is a practical alternative that picks up where the private auto arid mass transit leave off." Concerned about the elderly, those individuals with disabilities, and the poor and unemployed, this association offers technical support to communities nationwide. Joblinks, a program of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), can also be accessed from this site. Joblinks focuses on transportation strategies for the unemployed and the underemployed. Distinguishing feature: provides the technical assistance and the useful research needed to develop community-based transit improvements. Livable Communities Initiative Source: Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation http://www.fta.dot.gov/fta/library/planning/livbro.btml According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), transit provides an alternative means of mobility and improves the quality of life in communities. With these benefits in mind, the FTA, "initiated the Livable Communities Initiative to strengthen the link between transit and communities." To strengthen this link, FTA recognizes that communities need to be involved in the planning of transit services. Eligible recipients for funding include, but are not limited to, city and county governments, and States and planning agencies. Community organizations, however, are encouraged to participate as partners with eligible recipients. Examples of successful "livable communities" projects can be viewed at this site. The incorporation of a child care center, a health station and services for the elderly are just a few ways to make a transit system more appealing and at the same time make the community more livable. Distinguishing feature: provides a source of potential funding as well as a database of creative transit solutions. 10 ------- Office of Mobile Sources* Consumer Information Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/consumer.htm This site provides a wealth of information, which includes, but is not limited to, fact sheets about automobile emissions, toxics from automobiles, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, and fuel consumption statistics for the average vehicle. An array of suggestions for reducing pollution from mobile sources is also available at this site. For example, motorists can find tips for getting better gas mileage. Distinguishing feature: provides a detailed database of general information about mobile source pollution. 11 ------- FOCUSING ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS Consumer Labeling Initiative (CLI) Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/labeling/index.html This voluntary effort to empower consumer choice is aimed at making labels easier to find, read and understand. This initiative utilizes consumer input about labels, as well as the recommendations and support of companies. The Phase I Report, which can be accessed at this site, summarizes all the comments received, and the research conducted, in the effort to improve the labeling of household consumer products. Distinguishing feature: focuses on communicating to consumers the dangers or concerns associated with certain household products. Consumer Product Safety Commission Source: Independent Federal Regulatory Agency http://www.cpsc.gov This agency focuses on keeping "American families safe by reducing the risk of injury or death from consumer products." By developing voluntary standards with industry, issuing and enforcing mandatory standards, banning and recalling products, conducting research, and informing and educating the public, the Consumer Product Safety Commission helps to insure a safe marketplace. Citizens can access this site to learn about specific products that have been recalled. In a section labeled "Talk to us" consumers can report unsafe products. There is even a "4 Kids" section devoted to products used by children. Distinguishing feature; provides consumers with up-to-date information about the safety of specific consumer goods. Environmental Defense Fund Source: Non-profit http://www.edf.org Under a section labeled "Practical Action," this site provides information about consumer products. Information ranging from the lead content in China dishes, to the purchasing of "green" electricity, to the possibilities for recycling, can be found at this site. Also explored here is the concept of "precycling," which involves the purchasing of environmentally responsible products that make recycling and waste reduction easier. This site also includes a section entitled, "Is it Real — or is it Greenwashing?" which discusses false claims associated with the "green marketing" of consumer goods. Distinguishing feature: discusses environmental concerns relevant to certain product classes. 12 ------- ENERGY SAVING Energy Star Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/energystar.html "In the United States electricity generation accounts for 35% of all U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, 75% of sulfur dioxide, and 38% of nitrogen oxides By encouraging the production and use of energy-efficient equipment, energy usage and air pollution can be drastically reduced." Information about energy efficient residential light fixtures, office equipment, Energy- Star homes and even energy efficient exit signs can be obtained at this site. Also available at this site is information about the partnerships, between EPA and industry, devoted to energy efficiency. Distinguishing feature: provides information about both energy efficient products and efforts geared toward future advances for energy saving devices. Quick & Easv Energy-Saving Tips Source: Hawaiian Electric Industrial, Inc. http://www.hei.com/heco/etips.htm Displaying a lightbulb illuminating the earth's continents, this site is just one of many sites on the Internet which provides a short list of ways to save energy. Focused on energy consuming activities within the house, like washing the laundry or cooking, this site provides a brief list of simple things anyone and everyone can and should do to save energy. By saving energy you not only lower your energy bill but you also help the environment by reducing the polluting by- products of energy producing resources. Distinguishing feature: provides a brief, easy to apply list of energy-saving tips, which, when performed by many people, can really make a difference. 20 Simple Steps to Reduce Global Warming Source: Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit organization http://www.edf.org/Want2Help/b_gw20steps.html At this site the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has described 20 simple steps individuals can take to save energy. By saving energy, you use less fossil fuel and that means lower emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas believed to contribute to global warming. In fact, in the 20 steps outlined at this site the savings in pounds of carbon dioxide are listed. Distinguishing feature: provides a list of simple things individuals can do, which, in the aggregate, translate into real savings. 13 ------- TAKING THE HOTLINE APPROACH Environmental Health Clearinghouse Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS). The Clearing- House is managed by Information Ventures, Inc. http://iafoventures.com/e-hlth This service is staffed by scientists trained in environmental health issues. The telephone number is 1(800)643-4794 and the hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. The staff will respond to questions by completing research while the caller waits. If necessary, the results of a more detailed search will be mailed to the caller. Distinguishing feature: By providing a free-of-charge telephone number and service, and by staffing the center with trained specialists, this site encourages citizens to satisfy their curiosities about environmental health issues. Environmental Justice Initiative Source: U.S. EPA, Region 5 http://www.epa.gov/docs/grtlakes/envjustice/index.html This site opens with the following statement by U.S. EPA Administrator Carol Browner: "... All Americans deserve clean air, pure water, land that is safe to live on, and food that is safe to eat. Although there has been some significant progress made, some communities continue to bear a disproportionate burden of pollution... " In addition to background information about environmental justice issues, this site provides a hotline number (1-800-962-6215) for citizens concerned about justice issues in their communities. Distinguishing feature: links community-based environmental issues with social concerns. RCRA. Superfund & EPCRA Hotline Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/docs/epaoswer/hotline/index.htm This hotline is open to the public and provides up-to-date information on regulations developed pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community RighMo-Know Act (EPCRA), as well as other legislation. Documents can be ordered at this site. Distinguishing feature: provides information on a range of environmental laws. 14 ------- ENCOURAGING LOCAL INDUSTRY TO GET INVOLVED EPA's Partners for the Environment Source: U.S. EPA http ://www.epa.gov/partners EPA views the partnership approach as an important component of the national strategy to protect the environment. Through "Partners for the Environment" EPA is establishing cooperative partnerships with small and large businesses, citizen groups, state and local governments, universities and trade associations. "Thousands of organizations are working cooperatively with EPA to set and reach environmental goals such as conserving water and energy, and reducing greenhouse gases, toxic emissions, solid wastes, indoor air pollution and pesticide risk." The following is a brief description of some of the partnership programs that can be accessed from the above site. These sites, which inform communities about available programs and the companies that participate, can help strengthen community-based efforts to encourage even more participation by industry. Design for the EnvironmentfDfE^ http ://es.ineI.gov/dfe Created in 1991, this program promotes the incorporation of environmental considerations into product design. Environmental Leadership Program http://es.inel.gov/elp The Environmental Leadership Program recognizes and provides incentives "to facilities willing to develop and demonstrate accountability for compliance with existing laws." Green Chemistry Program http://es.inel.gov/partners/chemstry/chemstry.html Focusing on the reduction and elimination of toxic chemicals, the Green Chemistry Program promotes the development of products and processes that reduce or eliminate such chemicals. Green Lights http://www.epa.gov/greenlights.html This program encourages the use of energy-efficient lighting to reduce air pollution, solid waste and other damaging environmental impacts produced by the generation of electricity. Project XL http://199.223.29.233/ProjectXL/xlJiome.n5f/all/homepage Under Project XL, private facilities, industry sectors, federal facilities and communities can implement site-specific, innovative strategies that "produce superior environmental performance, replace specific regulatory requirements, and promote greater accountability to stakeholders." 15 ------- LINKING WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES Civic Practices Network Source: Nonpartisan project receiving support from the Surdna Foundation, Brandeis University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the University of Minnesota. http://www.cpn.org/cpiuhtinl This network was designed to bring "practical tools for public problem solving into community and institutional settings across America." Links to many other networking organizations can be easily accessed from this site. Additionally, this site provides case studies and essays on "civic innovation." Distinguishing feature: provides a detailed database of organizations devoted to networking and the dissemination of ideas and essays about civic activity. Envirolink Source: Non-profit http://www.envirolink.org This grassroots, online community enables literally hundreds of organizations and volunteers committed to the environment to locate various environmental databases and to communicate with one another. Enviiolink claims that it "is the largest on-line environmental information resource on the planet, reaching well over 5.2 million people in over 130 countries every month, as of November 1996." Through "EnviroForum," an electronic discussion or "chat" area, users of this site can disseminate and exchange ideas. Distinguishing feature: promotes the dissemination and exchange of ideas and information. This aids the development of an environmental protection program that suits your particular community. Seattle Community Network Source: Non-profit http://www.scn.org This free, public computer network is run by volunteers. It is "committed to providing equal access to information for all users." Neighborhood groups, environmentalists, health care and social advocates, and other activists, discuss their views and programs on the "Community Pages" section of this Internet site. Distinguishing feature: provides an example of a network that is more local in scope than Envirolink, the networking site described above. 16 ------- PROMOTING OUTINGS/ACTIVITIES THAT INSPIRE SUPPORT Park Net Source: The National Park Service http://www.nps.gov This site provides detailed information, including maps and telephone numbers for the nation's parks. Visitors to this Internet site can search for a park based on a theme or a particular interest. At this location browsers can access data about air quality, geologic resources, water resources and biologic resources in the parks. Distinguishing feature: encourages visits to parks located throughout the United States. With the databases provided by the Park Service, visitors to the nation's parks will be equipped with an understanding of any environmental threats. Sierra Club Source: Non-profit http ://www.sierraclub.org This site has a listing of outings which, undoubtedly, stimulate an appreciation of the great outdoors. Also at this site, however, are less expensive activities described by the Sierra Club. These activities take place closer to home and are designed to serve the community. For example, during the writing of this guide, the Sierra Club site had a discussion of "strong roots,' a project which utilized the energy and spare-time of the youths of a community to beautify the neighborhood through a tree planting project. Distinguishing feature: focuses on hands-on experiences to develop and strengthen an appreciation of the environment. Additionally, a focus on activities for youths, such as "strong roots," will help .to ensure that a community's children are channeling their energy into positive and productive endeavors. Trail Center Source: Volunteer Organization http://www.meer.net/users/taylor/trailcen.htm Run by volunteers, this organization provides information about parks and trails in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco, California. The newsletter lists volunteer opportunities, as well as trail events sponsored by a variety of organizations. The mapping of regional trail systems is one of the opportunities available to volunteers. Trail Center also promotes the development of new, multi-use trails. Distinguishing feature: promotes outings that are not expensive. While this organization is devoted to trails in California, a similar pursuit could be established in other parts of the country. 17 ------- RECYCLING Internet Consumer Recycling Guide Source: Evergreen Industries http://www.obviously.COM/recycle "This recycling guide provides a starting point for consumers in the USA and Canada searching the net for recycling information. The information is for regular folks with regular household quantities of materials to recycle. The goal is to help make recycling so easy and automatic that it blends into the flow of everyday life/1 This site provides an extensive database of information about recyclables, including hard-to-recycle materials. Under the heading, "The World's Shortest Comprehensive Recycling Guide," this site provides a condensed chart that discusses those materials which can be recycled. This site also lists recycling centers located throughout the United States. Distinguishing feature: a great starting point to educate yourself about recycling. This site is specifically geared toward the individual/household. Pay As You Throw Source: U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/docs/epaoswer/non-hw/payt/index.htm This EPA sponsored program is designed to encourage citizens to reduce waste and to recycle. Under pay-as-you-throw programs, residents pay for solid waste disposal based on the amount of waste they generate. At least partly motivated by economic self-interest, the residents of over 2,000 pay-as-you-throw communities across the U.S. have significantly reduced waste production. Information about implementing a pay-as-you-throw program, as well as profiles of successful community programs, can be obtained at this site. Distinguishing feature: focuses on economic self-interest as the mechanism for increased participation in recycling programs. San Francisco's Comprehensive Recycling Program Source: City Program http://www.sfrecycle.org/info/info.html Started in 1980, this program encourages recycling in San Francisco. Information about recyclables (aluminum, glass, paper, plastics, tin/steel), places where recycling should be practiced (home, school, work), and specific programs to improve recycling efforts can be obtained at this site. Educators can learn how to set up recycling programs at their schools. With a little effort, residents can reduce the amount of junk mail they receive. Distinguishing feature: provides a comprehensive example of the recycling efforts of one community. 18 ------- GETTING TEACHERS TO HELP ABC's of Environmental Education Source: U.S. EPA, Region 5 http://www.epa.gov/docs/reg5oopa/ee/abc/index.htm This site serves as a good starting point to find out about the National Environmental Education Act. This Act directs the Federal Government to promote environmental literacy through the education of the youth of America. It also directs the establishment of a National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. This site has plenty of information about grants, awards and internships. Finally, there are summaries about national programs (including contact telephone numbers) at this site. Distinguishing feature: provides an overview of the law and the resources available for environmental education. Department of Education Source: Federal Agency http://www.ed.gov This site provides a broad selection of data about education. Accordingly, a defined search is required to narrow the scope to education related to the environment. From the opening page of this site highlight the "search" box and then type "environment" as the keyword for the search. The result is a list of topics about environmental education including references to education materials and exemplary programs for environmental education. Distinguishing feature: focuses on the resources available to, and provided by, the federal agency devoted to education. EE-Link Source: National Consortium for Environmental Education and Training (NCEET). Support provided by U.S. EPA http://www.nceet.snre.umich.edu Maintained by the National Consortium for Environmental Education and Training and receiving support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, this site provides data, grants information, and networking opportunities for students, teachers and others who work to educate people about the environment. A monthly updated listing and description of resources and organizations focused on the environment is also available at this site. Distinguishing feature: dedicated to helping teachers, and others, educate youngsters about the environment. 19 ------- |