LC Greenheart Project Ideas

7/30/2019 LC Greenheart Project Ideas

1/18

Created on 10/18/2012


2/18


An LC Greenheart Project is a project you design for your students to get in-

volved in volunteering for the environment or a social cause. You can receive

funding for LC projects and can earn up to two LC points for successful com-

pletion of a project.

Start by submitting a proposal to the Greenheart Coordinator in the Chicago

office and you can also apply to receive up to $500 of funding for the project.

The proposal and evaluation forms can be found in your online resources in

the database.

For each completed Greenheart project LCs can earn up to two points. This is

also a great way to get to know your students while serving your community.

This guide contains numerous ideas for projects that you can lead with your

students ranging from environmental causes to community building. It is im-

portant for you to remember that the Greenheart Club is always here to sup-port you and your project and we are more than happy to work with you to tai-

lor these ideas to your community and group of students. Feel free to e-mail

us at [email protected] with any questions.


3/18


These are projects that can qualify for conference points!

One of the easiest projects youcan do is to volunteer with a con-servation organization in your ar-ea. What natural resources orparks exist near you? Lakes? Riv-ers? Forests? Even public parksand gardens often have Friends

of the parks or Friends of the

River conservation groups that

organize workdays when volun-teers can come out and do conser-

vation work or litter removal. Withthe organizations help, you can

set up a workday for your stu-dents. Ideally, this will include aneducation component about whypreservation is important along

with the volunteer activity.

If any of your students are particu-larly excited about the project,work with them to set up a regular

volunteer schedule. They can earnhuge points in the GreenheartContest for this, and possibly winan all-expenses-paid trip to Chica-go! Make sure they submit a sepa-rate project proposal to make sure

the project qualifies.


4/18



Make a connection with a local, non-

corporate organic farm. Try thesewebsites as resources:

http://www.localharvest.org/

http://www.wwoof.org/

http://www.wwoofusa.org/

http://farmersmarket.com/(Agreat way to find contacts atlocal organic farms is to go toyour local farmers market,

and ask the farmers there.)Visit the farm with your stu-

dents. If possible, do some volunteer

work.

Arrange for the farmers toexplain to your students why it is im-portant to use organic techniques,and to give some history about howU.S. agricultural policy effects the en-vironment. Talk about how buyinglocal food is important to health, the

environment, the economy, etc.

If the farm sells food, buysome, and cook a local, organic mealfrom scratch with your students.Share recipes. (This could also be apotluck.) Or, get ingredients andmake your own chemical free soap

and cleaning products.
http://www.wwoof.org/http://www.wwoof.org/http://www.wwoofusa.org/http://www.wwoofusa.org/http://farmersmarket.com/http://farmersmarket.com/http://farmersmarket.com/http://www.wwoofusa.org/http://www.wwoof.org/


5/18



Find out if one of your schools has an

environmental club or a teacherwhose curriculum relates to Green-heart. Set up a meeting with the stu-dents who run the group or theteacher. Find out what kind of eventsor projects they do, and figure outhow you can take an active role inthe project, or do a parallel project.Simply having your students partici-

pate will not count!

Perform an in-depth energy auditof your schools campus using the

Climate Change Emission Calcula-tor Kit (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html). Detailed informationabout your schools energy use,

waste, and land management isused to calculate greenhouse gasemissions. For cute videos on car-

bon, go to http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/For ideas on energy audits, visitthe U.S. Department of Energys

Web site at http://

www.eere.energy.gov/)

Plant native species of plants and

flowers at a school. Or, start a

plot in a school, community, orchurch garden, and donate the food

to a local food pantry.

Set up a composting worm bin making sure there is a teacher in-volved to maintain it. An awesome

way to partner with a school CCI willhelp fund the materials!

http://www.cityfarmer.org/

wormcomp61.html

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/

worms/basics.html

http://

www.redwormcomposting.com/
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/http://www.eere.energy.gov/http://www.eere.energy.gov/http://www.eere.energy.gov/http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htmlhttp://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htmlhttp://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htmlhttp://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.htmlhttp://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.htmlhttp://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.htmlhttp://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.htmlhttp://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.htmlhttp://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htmlhttp://www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.htmlhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/http://www.eere.energy.gov/http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video/http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html


6/18



Have students re-search which fuel sources areused to generate electricity fortheir community. Why are thesefuels used (cost, convenience, nat-ural resource availability)? Are al-ternative fuels available? Considerlooking for local organizations thatadvocate for alternative fuelsources in your community. Visitthe organizations or have a repre-

sentative speak to your students.

Have each student write aletter to local or national politi-cians, encouraging them to pro-vide funding for research and pro-motion of fuels that will reducecontributions to climate change.Make sure they include reasoningin their letter, explaining how theirfuel choice will reduce climate

change.


7/18



A great way to connect your stu-dents with older folks in your com-munity is to collect oral historiesfrom older relatives or communitymembers. Ask them to explainhow climate (temperatures, rain-fall, long-term weather patterns)

has changed during their lifetime.

You can ask them to set up theirown interview, or arrange a groupmeeting with folks from yourchurch or community. Or, contactyour local nursing home and takea group of students to visit theresidents. Each of them can visit adifferent person and do a climate

witness interview.

You can then document climatechange in your community by com-bining these oral histories in abook to share with other commu-

nity members.

To see photos and interviews fromfolks around the world participat-ing in a similar project, go tohttp://www.panda.org/

climatewitness.

Visit Facingthefuture.org for

more information.


8/18



What will you collect? See our re-source list below to find out how or-ganizations are creatively recyclingbatteries, tennis shoes, cell phones,and printer cartridges, and find out ifyou can raise money through them. Isit possible to use these recycling ser-

vices where you are living?

Start asking around for help! Sinceyou can use this project as a fund-raiser, you might try connecting witha club or group that could use themoney for their activities or pro-

grams.

Where will you put the collectionpoint? Get permission from theschool official or business ownerwhere the drive will take place.

Can you have more than one col-lection spot?

Get the word out. Announce thedrive at as many places as possi-ble, and let everyone know if thedrive will double as a fundraiser.Try setting a goal for the number

of items you want to collect.

Figure out how and when you will

ship the items to the recycling organi-

zations. Some will pay for postage,

but others will not.

Check your collection points regularly to

make sure the bins arent overflowing.

Take pictures to document the project.

And be gracious and thank everyone who

participates. Dont forget to clean up af-

ter the drive ends!


9/18



Non-profits, schools and community

groups can raise money through cellphone recycling. Over $5,000,000has been earned by thousands ofparticipating schools and organiza-tions. Check with the organizationsbelow for specific information about

shipping and fundraising logistics.

_ http://www.fundingfactory.com/

programs/recycling

_ http://www.recyclefirst.com/

_ http://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/

index.cfm

http://www.recycleplace.com/

_ http://www.batteryrecycling.com/

National Recycling Coalition- http://www.nrc-recycle.org/

America Recycles Day http://

americarecyclesday.org/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyhttp://www.epa.gov/epawaste/

index.htm

Visit http://www.favecrafts.com/

Green-Crafting/11-Earth-Day-

Projects/ct/1# for ideas on crafts

from recycled materials like the

photo of a plastic bottle birdhouse

above.
http://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.recycleplace.com/http://www.recycleplace.com/http://americarecyclesday.org/http://americarecyclesday.org/http://americarecyclesday.org/http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htmhttp://americarecyclesday.org/http://americarecyclesday.org/http://www.recycleplace.com/http://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfmhttp://www.grcrecycling.com/programs/cell-phone-collections/index.cfm


10/18



Planting trees can be a very satisfy-

ing project because you see the phys-ical results almost immediately. Inaddition to providing shade andbeautifying our communities, treesalso have a positive impact on theenvironment. Trees help reduce theGreenhouse Effect by absorbing car-bon dioxide. Carbon is replaced withoxygen in the air. Trees can also helpprevent soil erosion and water pollu-tion as well as filter polluting ele-

ments in the air we breathe(including nitrogen oxides and

ozone).

Where will you plant the trees? Find-ing a good location for your new treeswill be essential for a successful pro-ject. Are there vacant lots in yourneighborhood? Is there communityproperty in need of reforestation?

Whether you choose public or privateland, it is important to receive theproper permission before you plantany trees. In some cases, permitswill be necessary. Dont let this stop

you!

The Arbor Day Foundation suggestsconsidering the following questions

when picking a tree planting site:

Will growing branches be

bumped by trucks or buses?

Is there sufficient space for thegrowing trunk and the spreading

roots?

Are there any underground utili-ties? Is the site likely to remainfor the trees lifespan or is there

likely to be development, expan-sion or street widening that will

necessitate tree removal?

What will you plant? In deciding whattrees to plant, you should consider varie-ties that not only look nice in your com-munity but, more importantly, are local ornative to your region. Introducing a differ-ent type of tree can have adverse effectson the local ecology. Take some time toresearch which trees are native to yourregion. Local libraries, nature centers,and forest preserves are great resourcesfor information. You can also consult the

Arbor Day website and search local treevarieties by entering your zip code:

http://www.arborday.org/shopping/trees/trees.cfm?

trackingid=52

Have your CCI students be involvedthroughout the planning process. Assign-ing different tasks can be engaging for

the students and help alleviate the over-all workload. As with other projects, youmay consider teaming up with other envi-

ronmental clubs or community groups.

If you become a member of the ArborDay Foundation you can receive 10 freetrees (membership fee is $10). Treesare also available to purchase on their

website: http://www.arborday.org/


11/18



Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/volunteer/volunteer-coordinators.shtml and get intouch with the volunteer coordina-tor for your region to find outabout local forest preservation

service projects.


12/18



Farmland erosion? Forest fires?Polluted watersheds? Find a localenvironmental group to teach yourstudent about local concerns, andthen do a volunteer project with

them.

: http://www.cleanhouston.org/

: http://

www.mnaction.org/

http://www.dot.il.gov/

aah/default.html

http://

nyc.snowmageddoncleanup.com/

40% of Americas rivers and 46%

of Americas lakes are too

polluted for fishing, swimming, or

aquatic life.

Every year, one American

produces over 3,285 pounds of

hazardous waste.

Over 80% of items in landfills can

be recycled, but theyre not.

http://www.dosomething.org/

tipsandtools/11-facts-about-pollution
http://www.cleanhouston.org/http://www.cleanhouston.org/http://www.cleanhouston.org/http://www.mnaction.org/http://www.mnaction.org/http://www.mnaction.org/http://www.mnaction.org/http://www.mnaction.org/http://www.cleanhouston.org/http://www.cleanhouston.org/


13/18



Host a food drive at your local high

school, church or food pantry! A pro-ject like this would be easy to includea large group of volunteers. Considerstarting with a theme based on thetime of year and do not be afraid tocollect canned goods during the off

season. There are numerous food

drives that occur around the holi-days, but a late winter/spring drivewould help replenish the resourcesthat have certainly been used in No-

vember and December.

When gathering volun-teers who will participate in the fooddrive, educate them on where thedonations will be going and who ben-efits from these gifts. Then, when thevolunteers are collecting donations,they will be able to share that infor-

mation with the donors.

Find a venue to host the food

drive (such as a high school orchurch) where community memberscan drop off donations. Plan aheadfor a large vehicle to be available totransport donations and make sure

you have a destination, too.

Visit one of the following websites

for ideas on where you candonate:

http://

feedingamerica.org/

http://www.ampleharvest.org/find-

pantry.php
http://feedingamerica.org/http://feedingamerica.org/http://feedingamerica.org/http://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.phphttp://feedingamerica.org/http://feedingamerica.org/


14/18



Host an event at a local animal shel-

ter. The volunteers can help out atthe shelter while they learn how toproperly care for a pet. They can helpwith walking the dogs, cleaning uparound the shelter and any otherminimal work the shelter may need

assistance with.

: Ask a worker at the shel-ter to talk to the volunteers aboutstatistics of the animals in their facili-ty. They will gain a greater apprecia-tion for animals and the positive in-

fluences they can have on a family.

: Create an event where volun-teers can help out around the shelterand dedicate time to have them taketime to draw flyers to raise animalawareness. There can even be a partof the day where exchange studentsgive short, informal presentationsabout endangered animals in their

home countries.http://

www.humanesociety.org/

http://www.aspca.org/About-

Us

More ideas on how to volunteer at a

shelter:

Dog walking

Cat care

Borrow a dog

Headstart

Special events

Photography

Pet descriptions

*Visit http://bloomington.in.gov/

sections/viewSection.php?

section_id=304 for complete

descriptions.
http://www.humanesociety.org/http://www.humanesociety.org/http://www.humanesociety.org/http://www.aspca.org/About-Ushttp://www.aspca.org/About-Ushttp://www.aspca.org/About-Ushttp://www.aspca.org/About-Ushttp://www.aspca.org/About-Ushttp://www.humanesociety.org/http://www.humanesociety.org/


15/18



Connect with a local senior citizens

day care, nursing home or assistedliving center. This is a great way forthe volunteers to learn empathy andrespect for older citizens of the com-

munity.

: Have a small group dis-cussion with the volunteers beforethe project and encourage the ex-change students to talk about howthe elderly are treated in their homecountries. Share ideas on stereo-types and ask the volunteers whatthey can do to combat any negativestereotypes and actions toward the

elderly.

: Organize an afternoon to bespent with the elderly and have thevolunteers play games together, workon a craft as a group, or share pho-tos. For more personalized smallgroups, pair two volunteers with one

or two senior citizens. These smallergroups will create environments thatencourage more open conversationand dialogue between the group

members.

http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-

senior-centers/
http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/http://www.ncoa.org/national-institute-of-senior-centers/


16/18



Work with a local group that cares for

community members with disabilities(physical or mental) and connectthem with volunteers. This is a wayfor the disabled to feel welcomed tothe group and allows them to make

new friends.

Divide the group of thosewith special needs and the volun-teers in to smaller groups (about 3-5total, depending on the size of thewhole group), and have each groupbrainstorm ideas on characteristicsthat they all have in common. Theycould also share something thatmakes each person unique. Thesmall groups will then report back tothe whole group with interestingtraits that unite them and also whatmakes each person unique and spe-

cial.

The volunteers can spend the

rest of the afternoon visiting at thecommunity center and playinggames, outdoor activities, crafts and

creating friendships!

http://

www.specialolympics.org/

Win or lose, were going to have fun!

Casey Smutylo, Athlete

The connection to Special Olympics

Ontario has given (my daughter) an

opportunity to shine. Weve seen herconfidence and ability grow and she

has no fear now.

Mary Lisi, Parent of Special Olympics

Athlete

http://www.specialolympicsontario.com/default.asp?

contentID=48


17/18



Visit your local library and work with a

librarian to plan a project that canconnect the exchange students withthe local community members. Trycoming up with a theme that pertainsto the season, a holiday such as Co-lumbus Day or Martin Luther KingDay, or a broad theme of internation-

al education/cultures.

The volunteers can edu-cate the community members on thevarious topics pertaining to the over-all theme and teach about the im-

portance of literacy.

The volunteers can work inpairs to plan details on what/howthey are going to educate other com-munity members and after theirpresentations, be available to read

with children.

The hasgreat examples of individual volun-

teer work for students: http://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/

volunteer-nypl

Visit the formore ideas: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-

assignment
http://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/volunteer/create-your-own-assignmenthttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nyplhttp://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/volunteer-nypl


18/18


Corporation for National & Commu-

nity Service: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asp

Americas Natural and Cultural Re-

sources Volunteer Portal:

http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/

The American Red Cross:

http://www.redcross.org/

The Environmental Protection

Agency: http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openform

National Volunteer Week: http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature -events/national-volunteer-week

The National Honor Society and theNational Junior Honor Society:http://www.nhs.us/IdeaSharing.aspx

UNICEF:

http://www.unicef.org/index.php

Boys and Girls Clubs of America:http://www.bgca.org/Pages/index.aspx

The Salvation Army:http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

The Rotary Club:http://www.rotary.org/en/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Visit one of the websites listed

on this page for inspiration on

volunteer projects and

opportunities that you can bringto your community!
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.volunteer.gov/gov/http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/http://www.redcross.org/http://www.redcross.org/http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openformhttp://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openformhttp://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openformhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.nhs.us/IdeaSharing.aspxhttp://www.nhs.us/IdeaSharing.aspxhttp://www.nhs.us/IdeaSharing.aspxhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-weekhttp://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openformhttp://yosemite.epa.gov/water/volmon.nsf/Home?openformhttp://www.redcross.org/http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asphttp://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asp

Documents

LC Greenheart Project Ideas