“I enjoy working with the public and helping to educate about what we can do to help the earth. Humans are the ones that created the current issues and I feel that it is important for us to be the ones to correct the problem,” Coss said.

Coss’s position is funded by a grant that was secured by the Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI) on behalf of AHSWD through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Prior to Coss taking on the position in October, the Education Coordinator position had been vacant for over six years.

In her short time as Education Coordinator, Coss helped place additional recycling roll-off containers in more locations within Athens and Hocking counties. The roll-offs are 30 yard dumpsters with compartments for paper and cardboard, bottles and cans, and glass that are placed for a period of time in a community.  Many communities that only had access to recycling for four hours, once a month, now have access to recycling for one week.  Because of the new roll-off containers, secured through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) written by the Zero Waste Initiative on behalf of the AHSWD, there are also an increased number of drop-off sites.

“It has been very rewarding to see these containers come back to the center full of recyclables. I look forward to creating even more of these opportunities for residents,” said Coss

A major component of Coss’ work is visiting schools, scout organizations, and preschools to teach about the importance of recycling and proper waste practices. Coss and District Operations Coordinator Roger Bail have been able to introduce a recycling program into the Trimble Local School District. With the help of Bail, dedicated Trimble School staff, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action and the AOZWI, Coss hopes to maintain a strong recycling program and partnership with the Trimble Schools.

ODNR has also awarded the AHSWD a grant, which was written by Coss, to promote litter pickup and recycling in the month of May. Coss wrote this grant in hopes to give residents an opportunity to improve the areas in which they live.

“I wanted everyone, including children, to have a chance to help. After all, these children will be the ones that will be here after we are gone. I feel that teaching children about good earth practices now will help to ensure these practices in the future.”

Coss has always had a strong interest in community education. She was a naturalist for thirteen years before becoming the Education Coordinator for AHSWD. Coss was born and raised in Southeast Ohio and deeply cares about the health of her community and its residents. If you are interested in Coss’ educational programs about recycling and proper waste practices, you can contact her by email at athenshockingsolidwaste@gmail.com.

AOZWI is building a community of people who are doing fantastic zero waste work in Appalachia Ohio.  If you know of a person we should interview, write to us at zerowaste@ruralaction.org.

( athensfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/06/athens-food-security.html)  Whether it be from lack of access, addressed by programs like Rural Action’s Country Fresh Stop, getting fresh food to areas that normally don’t carry it, or affordability, addressed by food pantries like Friends and Neighbors, and community organizations like CFI’s Donation Station and the Kilvert Community Center, people are addressing our food insecurity.

Rural Action is participating in the effort to provide short term and long term solutions by collecting money to purchase fresh local produce from the Chesterhill Produce Auction (CPA).  This will give those in need increased access to fresh local produce while supporting the efforts of the farmers participating in the CPA.

This effort kicked off with Donkey Coffee’s 10^th Anniversary Raffle. The winner receives a month of free Donkey coffee, and the proceeds will purchase fresh produce from the Chesterhill Produce Auction, which will be distributed to those in need.   There will continue to be opportunities to help; open stages at Casa, direct donation at the CPA, and more to be announced. If you would like to be a part of this, contact Bob Fedyski at bob@ruralaction.org or call (740)767-4938.  In the photo, Bob Fedyski (Rural Action), Lisa Mieskowski (winner) and Angie Pyle (Donkey).

The lucky winner is Lisa Mieskowski , an Ohio University graduate and long time Donkey customer. Lisa had this to say, “I am a graduate (B.S.) of Ohio University’s Psychology Department (and have been a patron of Donkey Coffee since my freshmen year).  Currently I am living in Athens and working as a research assistant within OU-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Our current project is reaching out to rural persons living with HIV/AIDS, so when I saw that Donkey was taking donations for Rural Action during their Anniversary Week, I was more than happy to donate to help another project/movement working to bolster rural areas.  The prospect of winning Donkey’s prize of one month of free drinks was just a fun potential bonus.  Now that I’ve been named the raffle winner though, I get a fun reminder with each free cup of coffee how businesses in Athens (like Donkey Coffee) take an active role in giving back to the community. At the end of this summer, I will leave Athens to start a graduate program in clinical psychology at the University of Alabama.  I hope that wherever I am in the years to come, I can find projects and programs like Rural Action that are taking an active stand to strengthen rural communities.” Lisa, thank you for the kind words, and support for the community!

Time: Registration begins at 12:15pm

5K begins at 1:30pm

Nature Hike begins at 12:30

Location: Burr Oak State Park

Click here to register: http://www.sundaycreek.org/5k/18over.html

The Appalachian Ohio Forest Research Group (AOFRG) studies the return of forests in Appalachian Ohio. We are interested in the combination of social, economic, and ecological factors that have contributed to the recovery of forests across the region. Appalachian Ohiois an ideal place to study this process, because the region’s forests were devastated in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries; a hundred years later, the region is covered by mature forests. While some elements of this process were predictable, many aspects of the story are surprising, including the continued economic importance of resource-reliant industries (e.g. timber, coal, oil and gas) and a dense rural population with a long tradition of private landownership. Focusing on a subset of counties (Perry, Athens, Hocking, Vinton, and Ross), our goal is to understand  how forests have come back in this dynamic and diverse place, and how rural residents are shaping what that forest looks like, how it functions, and who benefits from it. The project’s results are intended to inform forest and rural development policy in the state, and to contribute to broader debates about forest recovery world-wide.

AOFRG is a collaborative project of the Ohio State University, Ohio University, and the US Forest Service’s Northeastern Research Station in Delaware, Ohio. This position is associated with OhioStateUniversity. More information on the project can be found here: http://aofrg.osu.edu.

Position: We are looking for a highly motivated, independent person to conduct supervised research in the study region on people’s attitudes toward forests and their actions in forests. The employee will do fieldwork to identify (1) different people’s visions and goals for forests, (2) how people work with or against each other to achieve their goals, and (3) how these visions, alliances, and antagonisms translate into actions on the land.

Job duties will include: interviewing a range of public and private stakeholders (e.g. county officials, landowners, activists), attending public meetings and events (including some that may be in the evening and on weekends), making site visits, and collecting data in archives and other public repositories. Research products will include taped and transcribed interviews, field notes, regular research reports, photographs, and Excel spreadsheets. The employee will be provided with a laptop computer, camera, and data recorder. While the costs of transportation will be reimbursed, the employee must provide their own transportation.

The position does not require relocation to Columbus. The ideal applicant would live in the study region (we welcome applications from current residents), and come to Columbus weekly for in-person meetings with the research team. If located away from Columbus, the employee must provide their own internet access.

The position will start in June or July 2012. We expect the position to last for one year with possibility of extension. We expect the employee to work 20-30 hours per week; the precise hours will vary week to week. It may be possible to increase this to 40 hours a week in the future.

The hourly wage is $12.00-$16.00 per hour, depending on experience. The position includes a range of benefits, such as health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance (the employee must contribute a portion of the cost of insurance premiums).

Necessary experience and background: (1) Applicants should have experience and demonstrated interest in issues related to the environment or sustainability issues more broadly, such as land use planning, rural development, forest ecology, forest use, or community organizing around these issues. Detailed knowledge of the study area is highly desirable. (2) Applicants must be able to work well in a group project setting and they must be able to follow direction. At the same time, applicants also must be able to work independently, staying on task while being creative and flexible in the face of challenges and opportunities while doing research. (3) Applicants must have good social skills. Prior experience with fieldwork, community engagement, journalism, or other social involvement is highly desirable. (4) A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is preferred, but we will consider individuals with an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To build a diverse workforce, Ohio State encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

To apply: Send a resume and cover letter to Dr. Becky Mansfield by email to mansfield.32@osu.edu (preferred) or by mail to 1036 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210. Your cover letter must explain why you are interested in this position, and must outline your experience in the area and/or with the substantive issues related to this position.

“I have been doing it for so long; it is just the right thing to do. The future of the planet is critical and I am just trying to do my part,” said Alderman of his recycling and composting efforts.

Alderman was born and raised in Athens. He graduated from Ohio University in 1970 and now resides in Glouster.  We discovered Alderman at an Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI) community meeting in Trimble, Ohio.  The meeting was a collaborative effort of Rural Action and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University.  The meeting aimed to find out what recycling and waste needs residents believe need to be addressed in their communities.

“I have been wanting to get involved with Rural Action… and when I heard about this I just decided to go!” said Alderman about his attendance at the meeting.  “I try to learn something new every day…  It was nice to talk and to get involved with people who are interested in the same issues”.

Alderman was an energetic and spirited participant who had great ideas to contribute to the discussion.  An idea, among many he shared, was that recyclers should benefit from their efforts through significantly decreased trash bills.

Both in and out of his home, Alderman finds way to eliminate waste from going to a landfill by using the recycling roll-off provided by the Athens Hocking Solid Waste District (AHSWD).  The recycling roll-off container was secured through a grant written by AOZWI on behalf of the AHSWD.

For example, when Alderman takes household items to the recycling roll-off, he stops at a local gas station and the Family Dollar to pick up cardboard and other recyclables to take to the recycling trailer.

“Some people have called me a dumpster diver, but that is something that I am proud of. I will probably do it for the rest of the weekend, just to make sure enough stuff gets recycled instead of going to a landfill”.

In his home, Alderman has virtually no trash. He claims that his secret to zero waste in the home is separating all items right away, into separate containers. He also composts because he wants to make his own soil amendment, with no chemicals, for his personal garden.

Alderman describes his efforts towards a zero waste lifestyle as simple, easy, and important. When given praise for his fantastic efforts, Alderman simply states “I am not doing anything outstanding or out of the ordinary. Everyone should do it. It’s the right thing to do”.

-By Kathryn Warren

To find out more about the AOZWI community meetings, dates, and locations please visit Rural Action’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ruralaction?sk=events. AOZWI is building a community of people who are doing fantastic zero waste work in Appalachia Ohio. If you know of a person we should interview, write to us at zerowaste@ruralaction.org.

2012 marks the third year of Rural Action ownership of the CPA.  Since taking over management with an advisory board made up of growers and stakeholders Rural Action has:

• Increased the yearly gross by 96.8%
• Raised the average auction gross by 75.9%
• Added 211.8% more buyers
• Grown the number of participating farmers by 135%

This growth has been made possible with the help of people and resources at the Local, State, Regional, and Federal Level.  Locally over 50 individuals have volunteered to support the auction through hundreds of hours of direct service ranging from assessing the electrical needs to operating the snack cart.  Eight local individuals either donated or invested in the purchase.  At the State level we have had funding and educational support from OSU Extension, Ohio State Center for Farm Land Policy Innovation, and the Ohio Farm Bureau.  Regionally we work with the Central Appalachian Network.   This Collaboration has supported the core operations of the CPA.  At the Federal level we have had support for our food safety and marketing training, as well as base funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission for a portion of the purchase.  All these resources have been woven together to build a sustainable piece of local food infrastructure that creates a unique local foods destination in one of the poorest and most rural Counties in the State.  To support the sustainability of the CPA in the past few years we have:

• Educated 150 growers on food Safety and Season Extension
• Brought the facility up to electrical code
• Created a regionally recognized brand
• Built an internet marketing system
• Obtained a refrigerated delivery truck to build a delivery system
• Became a State licensed auction house

The CPA has become a local landmark, a place and resource people are comfortable with and depend on for fresh local produce in a community setting.  This year we are continuing to build the auction to a self sustaining level.  We are doing this by a series of targeted efforts aimed at building the multiple markets and constituents we serve.

To attract large buyers we offer large lots first.  We do this so employers can afford to send people to the auction to purchase and know that they will be served as efficiently as possible.  To insure food safety our growers receive food safety training and support.  Our auction system provides excellent traceability to our customers who re-sell our products.  If you buy either directly or indirectly from the CPA, you know where your food comes from and how it was grown.  Our growers invest in high quality packaging, this makes for safe and presentable food for you and your customer.

To attract and serve household consumers we continue to offer smaller lots, retail sales, and the CPA Country Store.  During the height of the season 2 auctioneers will be working simultaneously to better serve you.  We offer free drinking water, a snack bar and a season long events calendar including pot lucks, childrens’ activities and consumer education.  People purchasing for their own households remain our single largest customer segment and despite a business model that serves large buyers we continue to offer a community atmosphere in a beautiful rural setting.

Regardless of the scope of your produce needs we look forward to seeing you this year at the Chesterhill Produce Auction!

Community Impact Grant Agreement

Grant Number: 15090

Grantee:                Rural Action Inc

Project Title:         New Straitsville Community Garden

Grant Amount:    $4,000

Date:                      4/11/2012

1. In support of charitable purposes, and as detailed in your project description of the original grant application for the above reference project (Project).

Payments received by the Grantee from The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) may be expended only for the purposes outlined in the approved scope of work, subject to any special conditions itemized below.  No other uses are authorized without the express, written consent of The Home Depot Foundation.

1. The agreement shall be effective 3/1/2012 and will be completed no later than 9/1/2012.

1. Grantee agrees that none of the funds covered by this Agreement shall be used to participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.  If the project involves any lobbying activities, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), the Grantee represents that 1) this grant is not earmarked for any lobbying activities and 2) the amount of this grant, together with any other grants by THDF for the same project for the same year, does not exceed the amount budgeted (if any) for the year of the grant, by the Grantee for non-lobbying activities.

1. If the Grantee is currently tax exempt under Code Section 501(c)(3) , then in the event Grantee loses its tax exempt status, this Agreement will be considered null and void and all unexpended funds will be immediately returned to THDF.

1. The Grantee agrees to immediately notify The Home Depot Foundation, in writing, if: 1) Grantee’s federal tax status is revoked or altered; 2) Grantee has reasonable grounds to believe its tax exempt status may be revoked or altered; or 3) has reason to believe that the grant monies cannot be or continue to be expended for the specified purposes.  If grant funds cannot be expended for the originally awarded purpose, unspent portion must be returned to THDF.

1. The Grantee shall indemnify and hold the Home Depot Foundation, its directors, officers, employees, consultants, representatives and agents harmless from and against all third party claims, liabilities, suits, demands, losses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, expenses and costs (including, without limitation reasonable accounting and attorney’s fees and disbursements) which result from any breach of the terms of this Agreement, or from any negligent acts or omissions of the Grantee, its directors, officers, employees, consultants, representatives and agents relating to or in any way connected with, activities pursuant to this Agreement.

1. The Grantee will cooperate with The Home Depot Foundation in supplying any information or complying with any procedures which might be required by any governmental agency in order for THDF to establish the fact that it has observed all requirements of the law with respect to this grant.

1. THDF may monitor and conduct formal evaluations of operations under this grant, which may include a visit from THDF personnel to observe your projects and programs and to review financial and other records and materials connected with activities supported by this grant.  The Grantee agrees to keep accurate and complete books and records of receipts and expenditures using grant funds for at least four (4) years after the completion of use of the grant funds and will make these books and records available to THDF for inspection as reasonably required from the time of the Grantee’s acceptance.

1.  A Final Report is required within 30 days of the end of the grant terms. Grantee agrees to submit the final report using THDF’s online format accessible at https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_248.

1. Funding for this grant will be paid exclusively in The Home Depot gift cards and in one disbursement, upon execution of this agreement.  Lost or stolen gift cards will not be reissued.

It is anticipated that the grant will be paid in accordance with the disbursement schedule noted in this section.  However, in the case of a multi-year grant or other grant payable in installments, the payment of each installment shall be additionally subject to a determination by THDF, in its sole and absolute discretion, that i) Grantee has provided the deliverables requested by THDF in a timely manner; ii) payments received from THDF have been used solely for the purposes for which they were authorized; iii) additional payments shall be used solely for the purposes for which they are authorized; iv) Grantee has otherwise strictly complied with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; v) there have been no material changes in the Grantee’s operations, staffing or funding which would adversely affect the objectives for which the Grant was authorized; and vi) the context in which the Project is to be executed has not been changed so substantially that the objectives for which the funds were authorized cannot be adequately realized.

1. Grantee agrees to use its best efforts to comply with all applicable requirements of the USA Patriot Act and Executive Order 13224, and all subsequently enacted legislation, executive orders, or regulations, designed to prevent any Grant funds from being used in support of terrorism or a terrorist organization.

1. The Grantee acknowledges that none of the activities financed by the grant violates U.S. laws that prohibit corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business and that The Home Depot Foundation has not authorized any activity that would constitute such payments.  The Grantee will use reasonable efforts to ensure that grant funds are not used to make corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business.

1. All press releases, manuscripts, papers, exhibits or interviews prepared for scientific meetings, the public or private press, magazines, periodicals, radio, television or other means of communication dealing with the activities or achievement of the work of the grant shall acknowledge The Home Depot Foundation’s support.  All such material shall be submitted to The Home Depot Foundation for written approval prior to use.

1.  Either party may terminate this grant upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other.

1.  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of THDF and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in writing and signed by THDF.  This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects, interpreted under and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.

The undersigned duly authorized official of the Grantee agrees to these terms and conditions:

For the Home Depot Foundation:                   

___________________________________________

Foundation Manager

_____________________

Date

For the Grantee:

___________________________________________

Executive Director

______________________

Date

Rural Action is leading two field trips for educators to highlight outdoor and environmental resources that can be used to meet academic content standards and address multiple learning styles. We will see examples of outdoor projects that Rural Action and its partners have collaborated with local schools to complete with funding from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund.

Dates: Monday, April 30^th; or Wednesday, May 9^th (teachers can attend one day or the other)

Time: 8:00am-2:00pm

Agenda:

8:00-8:30 Registration and Refreshments at Glouster Depot on High St.

8:30-9:30 Presentation: teaching content standards in the outdoor classroom.

9:30-10:30 Trimble High School Trail exploration with Buckeye Trail Association.

10:45-11:15 Trimble Township Community Forest: hands-on science projects for students.

11:45-12:15 Tecumseh Theater: lunch with Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture Program:

supplying schools with locally grown food.

12:40-1:10 Monroe Outlook: Wayne National Forest and Dana White: student/citizen

stewardship of our forests

1:10-1:40 Monroe Outlook: discussion on integrating outdoor lessons and resources into unit

plans.

1:40-2:00 Travel back to Glouster Depot

Space is limited to 10 participants per Expedition—contact Joe Brehm to register at

(740) 767-2225 or joe@ruralaction.org. Funding is available for substitute teachers.

Huff Run/Mud Run Watershed Restoration Partnership Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Salaried, exempt, fulltime

 Location:  Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership office in Mineral City

Supervision:

Start Date: June, 2012

Position Summary: The Huff Run/Mud Run Coordinator is responsible for improving the water quality of both Huff Run and Mud Run watersheds in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties by organizing and planning community outreach and education and implementation of restoration projects for protects. The position requires strong leadership skills, a commitment to working collaboratively with new and existing partnerships with government and state agencies and the community.

The Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership, a citizen-based community group, was formed in 1996 to restore the 9.9 mile long stream and its accompanying 13.9 square mile watershed.  The goal of the Partnership is to return Huff Run to its original warm water habitat.  The Partnership works closely with government agencies to accomplish this restoration mission to improve water quality and enhance wildlife through community support and involvement.  Mud Run Stream Keepers is a newly formed citizens group whose stated mission is to improve the quality of the watershed, rebuild its ecosystems, and better the community.  The 5.5 mile long stream is located in Tuscarawas County.  Both watersheds are adversely affected by past unregulated coal mining resulting in acid mine drainage and pollution damaging both streams.

Responsibilities

Communications /Fundraising

• Develop and maintain the communications plan and;
• Coordinate Huff/Mud Run event production in partnership with community, students and volunteers;
• Produce and disseminate information brochures, newsletters, educational materials and press releases about Huff and Mud Run;
• Coordinate relationships with state and federal agencies, industries, academic institutions and citizen groups;
• Coordinate support for and relationships with Huff Run and Mud Run watershed group boards and /or advisory committees
• Serve as the primary contact for all communications including the media, funders and the public
• Coordinate local membership and fundraising strategies in collaboration with Rural Action;
• Perform grant research and write and submit grant requests
• Maintain and update the Huff Run webpage and Mud Run Facebook page;

Administration

• Perform budgeting and budge monitoring  tasks;
• Perform research as needed;
• Oversee hiring of and evaluation of watershed personnel including AmeriCorps members;
• Provide daily supervision and support to AmeriCorps program members;
• Monitor and report on project planning, implementation, and results.
• Direct and oversee interns and volunteers;
• Develop and implement membership strategy for both watersheds;
• Attend and coordinate public meetings, fundraising meetings, technical meetings;
• Attend Rural Action meetings where required;
• Respond to emails, phone calls and inquiries for both watersheds;

Planning/Reporting 

• Conduct water quality monitoring and sampling activities for Huff and Mud Run and create annual sampling plans;

• Further develop and carry out short and long term strategy for achieving organizational goals;
• Maintain and update Watershed Management Plan for Huff Run;

• Maintain and update the Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment (AMDAT) plan for Huff Run;
• Prepare and maintain the Acid Mine Drainage Abatement(AMDAT) plan for Mud Run;

• Prepare technical reports and documentation s required by funding agencies and Rural Action;

• Monitor project workplans, calendars and implementation;
• Develop progress reports, AmeriCorps reports and maintain files and resources; 
• Perform data collection as needed;
• Maintain Huff Run’s water quality and project information on www.watersheddata.com;

General

• Practice safety in all aspects of the job;

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications and Characteristics

• Four year college degree or equivalent from a combination of formal education and relevant experience;
• Excellent communications skills; written, oral and electronic;
• Spreadsheet and database skills;
• Experience in managing employees, interns and volunteers;
• Experience working in coalitions and networks to achieve shared goals;
• Strong interest and commitment to environmental and watershed restoration issues;
• Ability to conduct water quality monitoring and manage/implement restoration projects
• Highly self-motivated;
• Outgoing, well-organized, creative and able to work successfully on a team of diverse members;
• Marketing and event planning experience;
• Detail oriented, consistent follow-through, ability to work under deadline pressures with minimal supervision;
• Able to work on multiple projects at once;
• Experience in grant research and analytical writing
• Valid driver license
• Tasks require the ability to carry 40 pounds and to walk extended distances over rough terrain

Preferred Qualifications and Characteristics:

• Strong background in Environmental Sciences or other related field
• Understanding of and a strong interest in the Appalachian region;
• A commitment to sustainable development and building healthy communities and strong local economies;

PLEASE SEND A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO: Candi Withem at candi@ruralaction.org.

Deadline: May 15, 2012

Rural Action is an equal opportunity employer.  

Rural Action Appalachian Green Teachers Project

 May 4^th Environmental Education Symposium

Part of one of the most biodiverse eco-regions in the world, Appalachian Ohio’s landscape is one of the region’s greatest educational assets. Rural Action’s Appalachian Green Teachers Project connects students and teachers with outdoor and environmental education opportunities that take advantage of this asset. Working with partners such as Little Cities of the Forest Collaborative, we worked with more than 20 teachers and 500 students in 2011-12 to reach academic content standards through hands-on experiences in the rolling hills of Southeast Ohio.

DRAFT agenda 11:00am-2:00pm Tecumseh Theater

11:00-11:15 Registration and Refreshments Tecumseh Theater

11:15-12:00 Joe Brehm and others: Appalachian Green Teachers Project Context, Overview, and Impacts

12:00-12:30 Teacher Presentations:

• Amrik Brar, Trimble High School: Trail Building
• Angie Plant, Millcreek Elementary: Pollinator Projects
• Jay Kline, Nelsonville-York Middle School: Air and Water Quality
• Sean Bartholic, Somerset: Tecumseh Lake Field Trip

12:30-1:00 Lunch at Tecumseh Theater w/ RASA: local foods in schools and Chesterhill PA

1:00-1:30 Small group discussions about environmental education in the region

1:30-1:45 Awards to first group of Appalachian Green Teachers and Americorps recognition.

1:45-2:00 Next Steps: Environmental Young Congress, etc.

RSVP by Friday, April 27^th with Joe Brehm at (740) 767-2225 or joe@ruralaction.org