EPA REGION III
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
BRIEFING FOR A. JAMES BARNES
EPA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR
JOHN A. MOORE
EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AUGUST 2, 1988
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EPA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FACT SHEET
PLANS FOR FY 1988-89
PAGE 1
PAGE 2
RATIONALE
PAGE 3
1988 CEL AWARDS
PAGE 5
LISTING OF FY 1987-88 EVENTS
PAGE 8
CEL BOARD OF ADVISORS
PAGE 11
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<° *'«>, UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION III
' 841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
FACT SHEET
The objectives of the Center For Environmental Learning (CEL) are to
promote environmental education, to improve the public's understanding of
current and emerging policy issues and to increase opportunities for the
public to communicate with the Agency.
To that end, the Center has sponsored an environmental lecture series
featuring prominent environmental speakers and has also conducted forums
and seminars. Enclosed on page 8-10 is a listing of events held in 1987-88.
To support and promote environmental education efforts within the
Region through official EPA recognition, The Center for Environmental
Learning, with assistance and guidance from its Advisory Board, selects
and presents Environmental Education Awards to exemplary programs.
In 1987 CEL presented its first award from 57 nominations to
Ms. Majorie Crofts, coordinator of Delaware's Inland Bays Environmental
Education Program. In 1988, 74 persons and programs were nominated
for the annual CEL Award, from which seven were chosen. Enclosed is
a description of those interesting and innovative programs is on pages
5-7.
In FY 1988-89, CEL plans to accomplish its goals by learning more
about supporting environmental education through dialogue on key issues
with educators, non-profit organizations, industry and other constituencies
in informal meetings, conferences, and forums; by supporting and promoting
outstanding contributions, via Agency recognition through CEL's Annual
Awards; by being a visible supporter of all citizens' understanding of
environmental issues and related public policy developments; and by
stimulating others to provide environmental education.
The Director of The Center for Environmental Learning is
Bonnie Smith, U.S. EPA, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia,
PA 19107 (215-597-9072).
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PLANS FOR FY 1988-89
Plan and implement roundtables and seminars on key issues and management
themes.
Videotape CEL events and distribute tapes.
Continue to support program staff in their environmental outreach.
Develop recommendations for an agencywide environmental education program.
Develop a plan with the Secretaries of Education in Region 111 to assist
them in developing superior cirriculm on the environment and environmental
public policy issues.
Speak both formally and informally about the importance of environmental
education.
In August, the Director will address members the National
Council of State Gardens Clubs whose 1989 agenda is to launch a
campaign of environmental education throughout the country.
0 Be available to serve on planning boards for conferences of other environ-
mental groups to enhance visibility of EPA speakers.
Meet with leaders in universities, schools, non-profit organizations and
industry to understand, encourage and inspire their efforts in environ-
mental education.
0 Contact all EPA Regions and Headquarters to develop a reference list of
EPA staff who will serve as resource personnel on environmental education
information.
0 Work in tandem with the External Affairs Plan, 1CEM and Office of Public
Affairs, to maximize CEL's contribution and effectiveness.
0 Meet periodically with the Advisory Board to seek their advice and
participation in the CEL Awards nomination and selection process.
0 Review and revise the CEL mailing list.
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RATIONALE
A. The Center expands networks for EPA.
1. The Center increases the quality and quantity of relationships
between EPA and the states, citizens, industry, elected officials,
educators, educational institutions and other federal agencies.
(The Center has participated in the Temple University Forum Series,
and has served on the advisory board for the Center for Hazardous
Materials Research at the University of Pittsburgh; CEL supports
Regional program staff in their educational training efforts, and
features them as well as the RA, DRA, ARA and Division Directors
in events throughout the Region to help the public understand EPA
better. CEL also invites outside speakers to discuss new and
stimulating ideas with EPA staff. Programs often include EPA staff
and the public together as presenters to encourage closer working
relationships between them and those who form audiences. CEL's
Advisory Board also increases opportunities for networking with out-
side-Agency groups and educational institutions.)
B. The Center raises the level of importance of environmental education.
1. CEL gives EPA a credible avenue to interact with educational
institutions and educators.
(The Center emphasizes environmental education, educators and
educational institutions by inviting educators to participate in
Center seminars or to speak at the CEL guest lecture series, by
including educators on the CEL Advisory Board and by helping to
arrange EPA speakers for events held by those institutions.)
2. CEL expands the learning curve of the public as well as EPA employees.
(The Center sponsors regular brown bag lunch lectures featuring
prominent speakers from a variety of environmentally-related groups
to stimulate EPA staff members and the public).
3. The Center raises the level of consciousness of environmental
education and the environmental ethic through particular programs
and awards.
(The Center sponsors annual CEL Awards to honor significant
contributions in environmental education and sponsored an all-day
program to celebrate Rachel Carson's birthday and her contribution
to the perpetuation of the environmetnal ethic).
C. CEL increases public understanding of EPA and its mission.
1. CEL provides EPA opportunities to discuss and clarify the role of
the Agency.
(At forums, the Regional Administrator and other EPA staff speak in
a continuing effort to clarify the Agency's mission and programs.)
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2. CEL allows EPA to focus the public's attention on EPA's major
environmental management themes.
D. CEL increases public understanding of environmental issues.
1. The Center offers EPA the opportunity to discuss with the public
new and emerging public policy issues and to receive their feedback
on those issues in an educational and non-confrontational setting.
2. The videotaping of CEL programs, such as the one one on environmental
dispute resolution, current environmenal challenges brought up at the
Rachel Carson Birthday Celebration, the Northeast Hazardous Waste
Exchange and the Impact of the Clean Water Act on Wilderness, have
expanded the CEL audience beyond those who can attend. Those on the
CEL mailing list are notified of the tapes and many tapes have been
in constant circulation since they were made.
E. CEL increases public trust in government and supports the Human Resources
Management Theme.
1. CEL events allow citizens direct access to public officials, and that
direct access increases EPA accountability. CEL events also allow
EPA staff the opportunity to validate their own professional work and
receive recognition for it.
2. Inclusion of state and local officials on CEL programs increases
visibility of state and local officials and improves cooperation
between EPA and the state.
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1988 CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS
Terry Thompson
Accomack County Schools, P.O. Box 330. Accomac. VA (804-787-1319)
Ms. Thompson has designed and implemented more than a dozen succesful
conservation education projects for educators and students in Accomac
and North Hampton Counties. Coordinating the Math and Marine Science
Lab, Ms. Thompson designed a marine science curriculm for all 6th, 7th,
and 8th grade classes complete with modern lab stations and aquaria.
Adjacent to the lab, Ms. Thompson worked with the Chesapeake Bay Youth
Conservation Corps (YCC) in a project which renovated areas of high
marsh, constructed an observation deck, cleared the area of debris and
established trails and stations which will provide access to wildlife
with minimal impact on the ecosystem. Both YCC students and middle
school students in the area can now and in the future enjoy the fruits
of these efforts.
The Mathematics and Science Center of Richmond
2401 Hartman Street. Richmond. VA 23223 (804-788-4454)
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Waring, Director
The Mathematics and Science Center since 1969 has been owned by the
public school divisions of Chesterfield, Goochl, and Hanover, and
Henrico Counties and the city of Richmond, and is an integral part of
their operations. It provides enrichment education for students and
inservice training for teachers. They were nominated and chosen to
receive the CEL award for developing a superb curriculum entitled
River Times to teach Virginia's students about the ecological and
historical significance of the James River. Most of the program is
adaptable to wherever there is a need for a water-related curriculum.
Activities were designed for in the classroom and at the river. These
quality materials will be used to teach thousands of students each
year.
Dr. William Ritter and Mrs. Ruth Almond
Robbins Park for Environmental Studies, Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19034
(215-643-8870) In a Joint venture between the Upper Dublin Township
and the Upper Dublin School District, Dr. William Ritter and Ruth Almond
have spearheaded a "living environmental classroom" where students,
teachers, and members of the community both learn and teach others about
our environment. K-8th grades have part of their science program in the
Park and as volunteer teachers in grades 9-12. Most of the teaching is
done by adult volunteers for K-3 and special classes, under the guidance
of school science teaching staffs. Eagle Scout David Moffatt with the
assistance of Ruth Almond, classmates, fellow scouts and many others
developed a nature trail for Fort Washington Elementary School. These
three individuals received the CEL Awards for encouraging community wide
activities in Upper Dublin Township Environmental Education Programs.
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Patricia Haddon
Anne Arundel County, Office of Planning & Zoning, Arundel Center
Annapolis, MD 21401 (301) 721-7696
Ms. Haddon was given the CEL's award for environmental education
by a government employee. Specifically, her efforts were recognized
as they relate to reducing contamination to the Chesapeake Bay
through the use of citizen volunteers both in a water quality main-
taining program and in a benchmark effort involving both community
and youth groups — boy and girl scouts — in a public awareness
campaign. The latter program involved the painting of storm drains
with a warning that contaminants will flow directly through them
into the Chesapeake Bay. Subsequently, this highly successful
effort's methods were shared with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation so
that through their influence this effort could be spread to communities
throughout the Bay's watershed.
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company, Two North Ninth Street, Allentown,
PA 18101 (215) 770-4976. Contact: R.E. Gary, Manager-Land Management
Contact: PP&L operates recreational areas and environmental education
centers in 29 counties of Central Eastern PA with comprehensive programs
at environmental centers in PP&L's Montour Preserve, Susquehanna
Riverlands and Hoitwood/Lake Aldred land management projects. Staff
naturalists provide a full range of programs. Working in cooperation
with PA DER, PA Fish and Game Commissions, Conservation Society of
York County, Scouts and others, additional programs are created.
PP&L's land management function provides for preservation forestry and
wildlife habitat improvement. These practices, especially soil conservation
and farm management plans prepared for tenant farmers are significant
contributions toward the protection of the Chesapeake Bay. These combined
efforts demonstrate a good land ethic and significant commitments to
environmental education for which PP&L was selected the receive the CEL
Award.
National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
1400 Sixteenth Street. N.W.. Washington, DC 20036 (703) 790-4360
Coordinator; Craig Tufts
The program's goal is to assist and encourage people to create Wildlife
Habitats where they live, work and go to school. Through clearly written
materials they instruct people of all ages to create wildlife habitats
in both rural, urban, and suburban settings. To encourage the interest
in Backyard Wildlife Habitats NWF produces television segments, Mr. Tufts
authors articles bi-monthly made available free to 12,000 publications,
and they make presentations for organizations and businesses so they
in turn will encourage their members. At present there are 6,000
certified Backyard Wildlife Programs nationwide. This is a first-rate
program of the nation's largest conservation education organization and
is applicable throughout the Region.
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Center for Hazardous Materials Resources
Univeristy of Pittsburgh Applied Resource Center
Pittsburgh. PA 15238 (412-826-5320) Contact: Dr. Edgar Berkey
The Center For Hazardous Marterials Research (CHMR) has published a compre-
hensive, easy-to-read manual describing techniques and procedures that
will enable businesses to minimize their production of hazardous waste
if they are for small quanitity generators. Included in this 250-page
volume are detailed descriptions of: waste minimization incentives; haz-
ardous waste regulations; approaches to waste minimization; how to conduct
a waste audit; specific waste minimization practices; financing; and
sources of information. Specific information is provided on eleven
Pennsylvania industry sectors. This information has already been widely
distributed (1000 copies nationwide) and the manual became the key reference
document for a statewide technical assistance program conducted by CHMR
and funded by U.S. EPA Region III. The usefulness of the manual persists
beyond the grant term. It continues as a primary reference document for
the Hazardous Hotline, ongoing workshops, and on-site consultations.
CHMR was nominated and selected to receive CEL Award in the educational
product category.
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING 1988 AWARDS
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FORMAL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EPA AND THE PUBLIC IT SERVES
PRESENTED BY
THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
Presentation of Center for Environmental Learning Awards: To recognize sig-
nificant contributins in Environmental Education. Seven award
winners were selected from 74 nominations of individuals and
groups throughout the Region. Described in detail on pages 5-7.
(July 1988)
Environmental Forum in Wilmington, DE: A one day seminar jointly sponsored
by the Leagues of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
Maryland on household hazardous waste collections, with practical
discussion about sponsoring and participating in Hazardous Waste
Collection Days, as well as certain liability issues surrounding
them. (May 1988)
April 7 and 8 - Waste Minimization; Some Solutions: A conference jointly
sponsored by CEL and the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters
for industry and environmental groups, to focus on solutions
to source reduction and waste minimization. A follow up to the
CHMR conference held under an EPA 8001 grant in November,1987.
Held in Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. (April 1988)
Conflict Resolution: Solutions on siting issues articulated by the
Executive Director of PEC, and PEC's director of their
Conflict Resolution Center, Wendy Emrich, and PP&L's
supervisor of Community Planning. Over 80 EPA staff and
environmental leaders viewed the video and joined in the brown
bag luncheon discussion. (January 1988)
Risk and Reality: A Discussion of Risk Analysis and Risk Communication
with Dr. Runreauther, of Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania, and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
President, and 50 industry leaders, EPA staff and environ-
mentalists. A lively discussion on all aspects from financial
to ethical considerations filled the luncheon session.
(February 1988)
The Roanoke, VA CEL Forum featured EPA speakers on SARA Title III and air
toxics, as well as state and local speakers who formed panels
on these subjects at a day-long conference attended by 120
business and civic representatives as well as local, state and
federal officials. (November 1987)
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A Celebration of Environmental Education in Pennsylvania was held for
130 teachers, environmentalists and business leaders at which
representatives from each of those groups described the latest
trends in environmental education. (October 1987)
Northeast Hazardous Waste Exchange was described by its executive director,
Lewis Cutler, at a brown bag luncheon discussion at EPA before 65
attendees. (September 1987)
The Wheeling, West VA Educational Forum featured speakers from EPA, industry,
the state, and environmental groups on such diverse topics which
involved the Director of Pennsylvania's Environmental Education
program discussing trends in his field, the Director of EPA's ESD
Division speaking on risk decision-making, and the head of EPA's
SARA Title 111 program outlining the key Issues. A panel composed
of prominent local representatives of industry, an environmental
group, and a state official discussed Title 111 from their
perspectives. Over 130 participated, primarily from West Virginia
and western Pennsylvania. (July 1987)
Environmental Dispute Resolution and Negotiated Rulemaking: Fifty-five EPA
staff and representatives from local area environmental, business
and educational institutions heard Gail Bingham, Director of the
Environmental Dispute Program at the Conservation Foundation in
Washington, DC discuss her program at the EPA office. (June 1987)
The First Center for Environmental Learning Award was presented to Ms. Marjorie
Crofts, Coordinator of the Inland Bays Environmental Education
Program, in the State of Delaware. Ms. Crofts was selected for
her significant contribution in environmental education from 58
programs nominated from throughout the Region. (June 1987)
PA Horticultural Society: Director participated as member of panel of 12 in
a program to renew the urban infrastructure. (June 1987)
Rachel Carson's Birthday Celebration: A one-day seminar was held at EPA
which featured prominent members of the industry, regulatory and
environmental communities who spoke on past accomplishments and
future challenges in the environment. Remembrances of Rachel
Carson by personal friends and Audubon Society staff members were
given. Fifty-five were in the audience representing EPA and local
area environmental business, and educational groups. The all-day
seminar was taped and distributed to interested citizens unable
to attend the session. (May 1987)
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Scientist's Institute for Public Information's President Alan McGowan and
Program Director Bonnie Smith, discussed SIPI's unique referral
program which puts environmental and scientific experts in touch
with the working press with 35 EPA staff and representatives
from the local business and environmental community. (April, 1987)
Temple University Forum: Director moderated panel on environmenal risks before
audience of 150. (April 1987)
Indoor Air Pollution: A major regional conference held in Philadelphia for 150
attendees featuring nationally known speakers from Harvard School
of Public Health, EPA and industry, as well as state regulators,
health professionals and citizen activists. A videotape of the
conference has circulated widely. (March 1987)
Pennsylvania Environmental Council Annual Conference - Director chose and
moderated a panel on radon before an audience of 200. (March 1987)
Note; During the 1987-1988 the CEL Advisory Board met twice. A listing
of the CEL's Advisory Board is on page 11.
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EPA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
ADVISORY BOARD
From EPA: 841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Jon Capacasa (3WM40)
Chief, Drinking Water/Groundwater Protection
Water Management Division (215-597-8227)
Kathryn Hodgkiss (3HW30)
Deputy Branch Chief
Haz. Waste Mgmt. Division (215-597-0980)
Betty M. Inge (3PMOO)
EEO Manager (215-597-3601)
Greene Jones, Director (3ESOO)
Environmental Services Division
(215-596-4532)
Joseph Kunz, Chief (3AM11)
PA/West Virginia Section
Air Management Division (215-597-8486)
Diane McCreary, Librarian (3PM21)
Information Resource Center
(215-597-7904)
Lawrence Teller, Director (3CIOO)
Office of Congressional and
Intergovernmental Liaison (215-597-9072)
Richard Pepino, Chief (3WM52)
Program Management Section
Water Management Division (215-597-3689)
Lorraine Urbiet (3PAOO)
Office of Public Affairs (597-2447)
From the Public:
Julian Andelman, Professor
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh
A716 Crabtree Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (412-624-3113)
Joel Bloom, President
The Franklin Institute Science Museum
20th and the Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215-448-1283)
Edward Born
VA Water Resource Research Center
VA Polytechnic Institute
617 North Main Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060 (703-961-5624)
Becky Cain,' Immediate Past President
League of Women Voters of West Virginia
2313 South Walnut Drive
St. Albans, West VA 25177 (304-724-5547)
Ruth Becker, Executive Director
PA Resources Council
44 East Front Street
Media, PA 19063 (215-565-9131)
Hanna Crew
Virginia Council on the Environment
202 North 9th St., #903
Richmond, VA 23219 (804-786-4500)
Joanne Denworth, Exec. Director
PA Environmental Council
225 South 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215-735-0966)
Frances Flanigan, Executive Director
Citizens Program for the Chesapeake Bay
6600 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212 (301-377-6270)
Helen Fischel, Director of Education
Delaware Nature Education Society
P.O. Box 700
Hockessin, DE 19707 (302-239-2334)
Anne Schink, Immediate Past President
League of Women Voters of PA
318 North Bowman Avenue
Merion Station, PA 19066 (215-328-8522)
Margot Hunt, Vice-President
Environmental Management Service, Inc.
Suite 206
400 W. Lancaster Avenue
Devon, PA 19333 (215-971-9977)
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