Do you want to know how it feels to be part of the Green Team? Well in January, at Wagner Middle School, the Green Team and I helped the school to go greener.  We noticed that when we finish eating lunch, we simply dump our food, trays, and milk cartons right in the trash bin. Most people ignored the recycling bin and the liquid bucket where you pour the leftover milk. This has to stop and that was why we started to “Flip, Tap, Stack.”

The Flip Tap Stack helped in a major way even though there are still people who are not throwing their things in the right bins, but it did help make the school greener.  “Flip, Tap, Stack” is basically something that the Green Team has settled on for the lunch routine. What we do in lunch is that once we finish eating, we pour the liquids out of our milk cartons in the liquid bucket, and then recycle the milk carton. After that, we flip our trays in the trash bin, tap the leftover foods in the tray, and then stack the trays. Obviously people didn’t know how to do this process properly at the start, so we guided them.

For one week, the Green Team and some student volunteers help guide where to throw food. At first, it was pretty confusing for them, but as they did it day by day, they seemed to get a good sense of where and what to do with their food. They didn’t know if plastic cups were to go into the trash or the recycling bin and if aluminum foil was to go to recycling bin or trash too. Therefore, we told them that aluminum foil was to be recycled and plastic cups were to be thrown in the trash. When they were no longer guided, very few threw their things in the wrong bin.

Doing this process was just a little more work, but it’s worth it if it can make the world a little bit greener! That’s how our school worked with recycling and throwing out trash. How do you make this world a little bit greener?

Bio: Wendy is a student at Wagner Middle School in NY, NY. She enjoys being part of the Green Team.

I am always very happy when I come across an easy to use, pleasantly appealing website.  I never really think about all that goes into creating this website.  I sat down with Yvette Pina to learn more about her work for the EPA’s web pages.

What is your position at the EPA?

I am a Visual Information Specialist.  I work on the web team to create and maintain web pages.

Do you have prior work experiences that lead you to the EPA?

I have a degree in Chemistry, with an emphasis on computational chemistry, which is chemistry combined with computer science.  I started at the EPA as a Field Chemist Intern.  I always had a knack for computers, so after my internship I applied to be a Computer Technician.

What is a typical day like for you?

Every day I check the news and events page to make sure everything is up-to-date.  Region 5 has a web support email which we manage as best as we can.  We handle cases of high priority first and then respond to requests as they come in.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is when people are satisfied with their web pages.  It is great to know people are content and like the way the web pages look.

Did you always have an interest in the environment?

None what so ever.  I didn’t even know what the EPA was!  I applied with a job through the Department of Justice and they connected me with the EPA.  However, since coming to the EPA my interest has grown and I have learned so much.  It’s hard not to.

What classes did you take in school that you use on the job today?

I took lots of computer programming classes.  I have always had an interest and knack for computers, even in high school when computers were new.

Do you have any advice for kids today who have an interest in protecting our environment?

Pursue your interests.  Figure out what motivates you.  What piques your curiosity?  Follow that!

Kelly Siegel is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for sustainable development, running, and traveling with friends.

I am constantly amazed at the wealth of information we have at our fingertips today. The internet makes research as simple as clicking. It’s not like in my childhood when you immediately went to the World Book Encyclopedia or the Encyclopedia Britannica to do research for a school project. If you needed additional information, you went to the local library. Our resources were miniscule compared to the seemingly unlimited sources we have today. Today you can even contact experts via email and read about their research.

With all this information, it seems like we should be able to solve many of our problems in a snap. Say there’s an environmental problem that concerns you. Without leaving your home or library you can access the U.S. Geological Survey map for that area, aerial photos, zoning information, plant lists, property owners, businesses, and environmental data like water and air quality and whether there are any Superfund sites nearby. The wonderful thing is that you don’t need to have a Ph.D. or be a top level scientist working for a big company to help solve problems. You can be you. You can make a difference in your local community! And, you may be able to help solve a national problem.

Many times problem solvers are people who put the pieces of the puzzle together in a new way. They apply new approaches. They see things others don’t. They make new connections. So be creative! You can make a difference. You are our future.

Nancy Grundahl has worked for the Philadelphia office of EPA since the mid-80’s. Nancy believes in looking at environmental problems in a holistic, multi-media way and is a strong advocate of preventing pollution instead of dealing with it after it has been created. Nancy is currently the Web Content Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Recently, there have been a lot of talk on innovation, and how it is so important for our nation’s future. So, what is innovation? Innovation is making a product more practical and actually “bringing it to the market”.  In the past when people made products, they did not think about its environmental impact and only focused on making profit. An example is plastics. It’s quite disturbing to me that people did not think about the raw materials needed for making the product, and how to dispose of the product later. I knew right then that innovation and environmental sustainability should not be separated and sustainability must be considered right from the beginning of designing a product. We have a lot of rethinking and redesigning work to do, and the fastest way to get there is by adopting biomimicry: the new method of innovation that shows how we could create products by learning from nature.

Over the years, there has been a lot of exposure to adopt environmental sustainability through many programs, incentives, regulations, and making data openly available to the public. Did you know that 10 times more cars have appeared on the road since 1970, but the amount of pollution has reduced because of stricter regulations resulting in better car models? This clearly shows that we can certainly make new products and not hurt our environment.

There are many new products and solutions coming out now by using the method as shown in biomimicry, which clearly explains how to observe nature and learn the “blueprint” from nature, and apply those similar forms, processes, and systems to solve our most challenging technological problems that we are facing today.

We have already seen the consequences of our previous path, and our manufacturing methods. Since manufacturers were more focused on short term benefits, we are now dealing with pollution and challenges with our waste. We need to think long term, and embrace sustainability.

It is quite comforting to know that many top companies are refocusing and are showing commitment towards environmental sustainability, so as students we can feel confident that learning environment science would help us later in our future. We need to take advantage of the opportunities and resources provided by our schools, like field trips to local conservation facilities.

Remember, environmental etiquette is the new norm for innovation.  Environment science benefits you, our humanity, and our planet! Let’s keep learning from nature!

Pavan is 13 years old, founder of non-profit organization, Green Kids Now, Inc., founder of Green Kids Conference, Official Biomimicry Youth Speaker, and an International reporter for Primary Perspectives radio Show. (http://greenkidsnow.org)

Have you ever had the chance to visit a national park or a zoo?  Think about what it would be like if you couldn’t visit these places because there were no more animals and plants or if you no longer had the opportunity to see the grizzly bear, pacific salmon, sea otters, and other endangered species because they didn’t exist anymore.  

When I was growing up, I was lucky enough to travel to different areas of the country on family vacations. We went to places like Yosemite National Park in California, the Bronx Zoo (which was a few hours from my hometown in upstate New York), Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and many more, learning more about different animals and plants.  As an adult, I learned about the Endangered Species Act which protects the plant and animal species that are at risk of becoming extinct.  Because of this Act, we are given the opportunity to experience the rich variety of native species that define our nation.  I recently learned that there is a special day, May 17^th that is designated to celebrating endangered species.

Visit the Endangered Species Day website to learn about what you can do to celebrate on May 17th.  You can find educational resources and learn about endangered species near you. You can even find ways to help protect endangered species by doing small things in your neighborhood like planting native vegetation to provide habitat for wildlife, discuss the importance of biodiversity and species preservation with your friends and participate in an Endangered Species Day Event. 

Shelby Egan is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for protecting natural resources, cities she’s never been to and cooking any recipe by The Pioneer Woman. 

What is your position at the EPA?

I am an Environmental Scientist.   My role is Project Manager in the Resource Conservation Recovery Act Corrective Action program which is an environmental remediation program.  I oversee the cleanup of hazardous wastes at the facilities which are under our jurisdiction.

Do you have prior work experience that has helped you here?

I have worked in three different programs at the EPA.  Everything I have done at the EPA has helped with my current position.  In addition, before the EPA, I worked as a forester for the US Forest Service, where I did environmental assessment work, vegetation surveys, timber sales and outreach.  I spent a lot of time in the field which I loved. 

What is a typical day like for you?

On a typical day I am reading, writing, and talking on the phone.  I review technical documents like sampling and analysis work plans for soil, water, sediment, etc, environmental data from the sampling events, and proposed remedies.  In our program we do a lot of negotiations with companies regarding how the environmental investigations are conducted, how data is interpreted, and what the significance of the data is in terms of risk to people and ecological receptors like wildlife and plants.

What is the best part of your job?

I am never bored!  That is my main criterion for a job.  There is always something new and different to do, with no lag time.  There is a lot of work, but it’s all interesting work.  I am currently working on six sites and each has its own set of circumstances and personality.  In addition, I like my coworkers a lot and the environment of the EPA.

Did you always have an interest in the environment?

Yes, I did.  Back in high school I helped start one of the first recycling programs and was involved in a small environmental club.  I was caught up in the 70’s save the earth movement.    However, I did not have much guidance on what to do in college, so I did not take environmental courses until I met a forestry major in college.

What classes did you take in school that you use on the job today?

I majored in Forest Ecology with a Spanish minor.  I took many courses that help me on the job today.  These include watershed management, soil science, GIS, hydrogeology, chemistry, and technical writing.  In addition, all of the ecology courses have helped me as well.

Do you have any advice for kids today who have an interest in protecting our environment?

I advise anyone to pursue what they are really interested in.  It is a misconception that you need a specific degree to get a certain job.  You never know what an employer is really looking for so it would be a mistake to assume that you have to major in a field you don’t really like to get your dream job (usually)  Get a good education and study what you are passionate about!

Kelly Siegel is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for sustainable development, running, and traveling with friends

Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to raise awareness about asthma!  Asthma is a serious, sometimes life threatening chronic respiratory disease that affects the lives of almost 25 million Americans, including an estimated 7 million kids.  The U.S. EPA is celebrating Asthma Awareness Month by spreading the word about how serious asthma can be and how important it is to manage environmental asthma triggers like secondhand smoke, dust mites, pet dander, mold and many others.  Please join the EPA in raising awareness of this condition by teaching others what asthma is and how the environment can affect people with asthma.

Although I have never suffered from asthma, I understand how it can affect someone’s day to day activities.  My childhood best friend, Katherine, suffers from asthma. My pet cats and dog would make it difficult for her to breathe when she would come over to play. With her inhaler in tow, Katherine was always aware of how pets could affect a play date with friends.

The EPA makes it easy for students to learn how to manage the environmental triggers of asthma.  You and a parent or guardian can visit http://www.epa.gov/asthma/ to learn more about asthma triggers and Asthma Awareness Month.  What is even cooler are all of the interesting materials the EPA offers to raise awareness about asthma.  Tell your parent or teacher they can visit the EPA’s website to get a free copy of Clearing the Air of Asthma Triggers.  You and your friends can also read Why is Coco Orange? to learn about asthma and air quality. During Asthma Awareness Month this May, help spread the word about asthma!

Shelby Egan is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for protecting natural resources, cities she’s never been to and cooking any recipe by The Pioneer Woman.

As an intern for the EPA, I have worked on the reviewing end of grants.  I had no idea how much work went into the grants process, and I have only touched the surface!  I wanted to learn more about the grants process, so I sat down with Marco Santos, Senior Grants Management Specialist for the EPA.

What is your position at the EPA?

I am a Senior Grants Management Specialist.  Grants award money to different State agencies, nonprofits, universities, and tribes, to carry out environmental priorities.  I manage all these types of grants.

Do you have prior work experience that has helped you here?

I had an internship after college working for the D.C. city government with administrating art grants.  I got to see the entire process of how a government agency gives out money to fund projects.  Coming from a political science major, I have a strong policy background, which helps on the job.

What is a typical day like for you?

There is no typical day at the EPA, and it depends on where we are in the fiscal year.  There is a lot of multi tasking.  I work with all of the EPA divisions to make sure we secure what we need to fund grants.  I work with grantees themselves to answer inquiries they may have.  I review proposals, process paper work, draft agreement, clarify administrative requirements, and track money to make sure it is being spent correctly.

What is the best part of your job?

It is rewarding to know I had a small part in contributing to the agency’s goals and missions.  Programs wouldn’t be able to do the work they are supposed to do without grant funds.  I feel a sense of importance because we implement the mission and safeguard the use of taxpayers’ dollars.

Did you always have an interest in the environment?

Yes.  In high school I was very politically savvy.  I was always interested in recycling and was very aware of the environment and was mindful to not be wasteful.  After college there was a job opening at the EPA which combined my interest and educational background. 

What classes did you take in school that you use on the job today?

I have a political science degree.  I took classes on policy and environmental issues in addition to writing and communication classes.  Policy provides a foundation for what I do.  I need to know the laws.

Do you have any advice for kids today who have an interest in protecting our environment?

It is important to be aware of what is going on politically.  Keep up with the news and latest developments in technology. Think outside the box.  Try to expand your experiences and education and be open to new things.  Practice what you preach.  Environmental stewardship starts at home.  Good writing and communication skills are important regardless of where you end up!

Kelly Siegel is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for sustainable development, running, and traveling with friends.

Three winners will be chosen from two age groups (3^rd-5^th grade and 6^th-8^th grade).  1^st place winners will receive recognition on EPA websites, an award certificate and a prize pack.  2^nd place winners will receive recognition on EPA websites, an award certificate and a Planet Earth DVD and 3^rd place winners will receive recognition on EPA websites.  Please visit the Asthma Poster Contest’s website to learn how to enter.  Don’t forget to highlight your artistic talent and submit a poster by Friday May 10, 2013!

Shelby Egan is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She has a passion for protecting natural resources, cities she’s never been to and cooking any recipe by The Pioneer Woman.

Spring is on its way, and of course that means lots of planting; so I’d like to share some ideas with you on planting in your own community. Planting flowers, bushes, trees, and vegetables can be very beneficial for you. For instance, at my school, we are working on planting flowers in the shape of our school logo, SH. It’s an easy way to show school spirit in a eco-friendly way. You could even be a little more creative by using flowers with your school colors. But the planting doesn’t have to stop there- having vegetable gardens is another excellent idea for a home or school. Where I go to school we have a special day each year where we harvest our vegetables and eat them for lunch. The vegetables we usually plant are tomatoes, lettuce, and basil. In the past we’ve planted pumpkins as well. By doing this in your home, you can save money when buying groceries, and have fresh food whenever you like. So use your green thumb this spring and plant something in your town!

Jayne is a Junior High student in Sleepy Hollow, NY and has an interest in environmental protection.  She is a proud member of the Environmental Action Club at her school.