Susan

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Creative Partnerships for Recycling Education

• Presented by
• Susan Jeff OHandley
• Wildlife Learning Company
• Hartwick, NY
• www.wildlearn.com

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History Background

• Career Experience in EE
• Limitations of Profession - EE Field
• Research of Central NY
• Establishment of WLC in 2003

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Wildlife Learning CompanyPromoting Conservation
Ethics through Environmental Education

• Goals
• Provide quality programming products at
  competitive prices
• Establish EE Facility in Otsego County
• Include Regional WL Rehab Center
• Create Systemic Change in EE Profession
• Provide Networking Resource Opportunities in
  Community

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Program Offerings

• Classroom Wildlife Education Programs
• Field Ecology Programs
• Exhibits
• Educator Workshops

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Products

• Natural History
• Environmental Education
• Nature-themed gift items
• www.wildlearn.com
• Gems Along the Mohawk, Herkimer

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Wildlife Rehabilitation

• Licensed by USFWS and NYS DEC for rehabilitation
  and education, Wildlife Learning Company will
  accept birds, small mammals, reptiles and
  amphibians.

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Community EventsOtsego Lake Festival
In 2006, Wildlife Learning Company undertook
planning and administrative responsibilities for
the event. We continued this project in 2007.
In cooperation with Otsego County Water Quality
Coordinating Committee
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Community EventsEnvironmental Education Network
of Otsego CountyEarth Festival
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Special ProjectsBurn Barrel Biology
Developed and produced in partnership with Otsego
County Conservation Association.
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Special ProjectsSchool Recycling Support Program
In five months time, Laurens Central School
recycled 4,694 lbs. of paper, saving 40
trees1,090 gallons of oil99 gallons of
gasoline16,450 gallons water141 lbs.
atmospheric 7.75 cu. yds. landfill 4,653
lbs. carbon input 25,345 kwh electricity
Through partnership with Otsego County Solid
Waste Department
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Special ProjectsCounty Fair Recycling Initiative

• An environmental education service-learning
  project for High School youth to create and
  implement a permanent professional recycling
  program at their County Fair.

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CFRI Project Background
Special Thanks Terry Bliss, Otsego County Solid
Waste Department Ed Cook, Director of
Maintenance, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse Judy
Harris, Fair Manager, Otsego County Fair
Association Rich McCaffery, Extension Educator,
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County

• WLC Fair Exhibits in 2005
• Problem
• ResearchNYS Fair NYSAAF Survey
• Action Plan
• Approach to Partner Entities CommitmentsFair
  Board, Schools, Cooperative Extension, Solid
  Waste Department

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Fair Priorities

• Budget
• Manpower
• Attendance
• The Experience

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Why Recycle?

• Its only for 6 days.

50,000 PEOPLE!
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Why Recycle?

• Theres not that much material generated.

• 2005 - Bath, ME - 4 day event with 70
  exhibits/food vendors
• 50,000 attendees generated 16,000 lbs. trash
• 4,000 lbs. recyclable plastic/metal/glass
• NERC Waste Sort Project

FOR EVERY TON OF MATERIAL RECYCLED, 17 TIMES
LESS ENERGY IS EXPENDED.
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Other Reasons to Recycle

• Values
• Laws
• Education
• Cost Savings
• Environmental Benefits

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2006 Otsego County Pilot
The Workforce High School Students
TasksDevelopment ImplementationEvaluation Be
nefits Service-learning Credits Real-world
experienceLetters of Recommendation
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Monthly Meetings and Distance LearningTools

• MOODLE(Modular Object Oriented Distance Learning
  Environment)

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Student Work Products

• Universal Project LOGO Design
• Bin Research and Final Selection
• Purchase of Needed Equipment and Materials
• Development of Bin Sponsorship Letters and
  community recipients
• Development of Signs and Promotional Materials
• Selection of Educational Materials and Handouts
• Establishment of Procedures for Implementation
• Coordinating Wrap Up Luncheon
• Addressing Budget Shortfalls

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Site Preparations
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Project Implementation
Students operate the program at the fair they
collect materials and compile data.
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Sorting
While cardboard materials are weighed and taken
directly to a dedicated container on the
fairgrounds, mixed containers are emptied of
contents and sorted for redeemables.
Non-returnable items are then taken to a second
dedicated roll off container. All material is
weighed recorded.
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Summary
It is estimated that an additional 1/3 materials
are uncaptured due to the lack of a recycling
bin at every trash station.
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Community Support

• 2006 Collaborative Partners

Morris High School
Schenevus High School
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Community Support

• 2006 Community Partners

ONC BOCES Distance Learning Network
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Community Support

• 2006 Bin Sponsors

• Adirondack Mountain Club Susquehanna Chapter
• Bettiol Chiropractic and Alternative Therapies
• Butternut Graphics
• Country Club Chevrolet
• Curves of Cooperstown
• Delaware Valley Spring Water
• Heller Funeral Home
• Holly Hren
• Leather Stalking Books
• Leatherstocking Regional Credit Union
• MAMCO
• Meadow-Vale Campsites
• Morris Tent Rental
• NYCAMH
• Otsego County Burn Barrel Education Committee
• Stewarts Shops/Stewarts Foundation
• The Clarvoe Family
• The Heneghan Family
• Wilber National Bank

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Partner Supporter Benefits

• Public Promotion for Responsible Recycling
• Recycling Education
• Support of Compliance with Laws
• Recognition through Bin Sign/Signs
• Window Sticker
• Reduced Tipping Fees
• High Quality Learning Experience
• Measurable Positive Environmental Impact

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Expansion Progress Goals

• Survey at NYSAAF Convention
• 2006 Otsego County Fair Pilot Project
• 2007 Expansion to Chenango County
• 2008 Expansion Goal 5 additional counties (7
  total)
• 2010 Expansion regionally throughout NY where
  needed

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Additional Community BenefitsRecycling Bin
Rental Program
In 2007, six organizations in our region rented
bins to include recycling at their events,
providing responsible practices and project
income.
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Bringing the Project to YOUR County
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Identify YOUR Community Partners

• County Fair Board
• Solid Waste Department/Recycling Coordinator
• Service Learning Contact/Schools
• Environmental Organization Partner(s)
• Special Interest/Business
• Wildlife Learning Company

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Develop YOUR Plan

• Decide on implementation plan
• Determine draft budget
• Identify and pursue funding sources
• Marketing strategies and schedule

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Student Recruitment

• Whom to Recruit? From where?
• Strategies for Recruitment
• Recruitment Timing
• Over-recruit!

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Implementation

• Kickoff Meeting
• Planning and Work Sessions
• Distance Learning Opportunities
• Education Support Opportunities
• Timeline

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At the Fair

• Materials
• Set Up
• Safety
• Insurance
• Education
• Collecting and Recording
• Documentation
• Break Down
• Storage

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Wrap Up and Recognitions

• Making your successes visible
• Celebratory event for participants
• Letters, awards, acknowledgements
• Evaluations, Reporting YE Administration

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WLC Role

• Provide training guidance
• Templates for PPT Presentations
• Draft timeline, templates for proposals,
  recruitment materials, letters, project logo,
  suggested contact lists, materials
  recommendations
• Purchasing power for coordinated materials
• Project big picture promotion visibility
• Identification of state-wide funding resources
• Fees paid through line-item in project grants

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Thank You!
Wildlife Learning Company, 107 East Hill Road,
Hartwick, NY 13348(607) 293-6043
www.wildlearn.com message_at_wildlearn.com