Poster Contest Deadline is approaching!
I have talked with lots of students who are excited to submit their posters into the EPA’s Asthma Awareness Poster Contest. Don’t miss out on this creative and fun learning opportunity! Enter your poster into the Asthma Awareness Poster Contest by Friday May 10, 2013. Students in grades 3-8 from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin are invited to enter. Possible poster topics can include good asthma control and management, avoiding asthma triggers and many others.
Three winners will be chosen from two age groups (3rd-5th grade and 6th-8th grade). 1st place winners will receive recognition on EPA websites, an award certificate and a prize pack. 2nd place winners will receive recognition on EPA websites, an award certificate and a Planet Earth DVD and 3rd 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.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Spring is on its way
By: Jayne
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.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Protecting the environment with Imelia Grace
Today I learned how easy it is to help protect the environment no matter how old you are. I interviewed Imelia Grace, a first grader from Tennessee. She told me one of her favorite places to play is a nature path near her house. She has fun experiencing the outdoors by taking her puppy Rogy along with her to explore. Imelia Grace was a previous winner of the U.S. EPA’s Team ENERGY STAR contest where she placed sticky notes on appliances that said “Unplug Me” reminding her to turn off appliances and light switches when they weren’t in use. Her family also uses an outdoor clothes line to dry clothes instead of using an energy intensive dryer. Even as a graduate student, I have learned from Imelia Grace how making small changes at home can make a big difference!
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.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Photo taken by John D. Ivanko
By: Liam
When I snorkeled around the coral reef of the Florida Keys, it felt as though I was flying because the water was as clear as air. I felt like I was hovering 15 feet above the ground with fish flying beneath me. I was inspired to learn more about the ecosystem and this is what I learned.
Coral reefs are a unique ecosystem like no other. Some of the fish that live there don’t live anywhere else. Coral is a living animal just like us. They spend their lives on the bottom of the sea. They are an important part of the ecosystem since they provide shelter and food to the fish.
What problems face coral reefs?
One of the big problems that the reef faces is the exotic and invasive species such as the lionfish. The lionfish got to the reef by extraordinary means. The problem started when the aquarium trade released lionfish into the wild. Although they have been in Florida for decades the only recently came to the Keys. They are now multiplying quickly. The lionfish is a predator that eats young fish. Lots of young fish are unable to survive. The lionfish has poisonous spines along its back. Not even the sharks dare to attack a lionfish.
Another problem is this beautiful reef has become a tourist destination and some careless tourists will harm the reef. If you step on coral, it will die. With thousands of people going on the reefs every year, it really wears down the reef. Just like everywhere else, Florida also has a problem with people throwing trash into the ocean.
How to help protect the reef and what others are doing
• Eat the Right Fish
A local fisherman and owner of Castaways Restaurant, John Mirabella, spearfishes lionfish and serves it at his restaurant. Although you might not be able to fish the lionfish like John does, you can chose to eat fish that is sustainably raised and harvested. My family uses Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch app for the iPod. The app shows you what fish are more common and which ones are being overfished so you can make your choice more responsibly.
• Travel Responsibly
Use responsible outfitters to go snorkeling. Some outfitters will gather everybody together and tell him or her all about the reefs and how to be careful with the reef and teach you not to damage it.
• Collect Garbage
This is a very simple one to do. It takes just minutes but it can save many marine animals’ lives. My family collects bits of plastic and cans when we were at the beach. It is a simple way to protect the animals of the reef.
If you are inspired by this blog, do something to protect and preserve the reef. I hope that you may be interested to help wash the reefs’ problems away.
Bio: Liam is eleven years old and loves to tinker with technology, read books and go on adventures with his friends. He enjoys exploring nature, writing about it and, most of all, helping protect it.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
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