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Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs April-June 2016

Volume 15, No. 3

Disasters like tornados, earthquakes, fires, or floods can hit without warning or be forecasted days in advance. These disasters may require you to evacuate for safety. If it’s not safe for you to remain in your home, then it’s probably not safe for your pets either. Preparation is the key to safely evacuating pets!

To get started, prepare a pet master kit that holds important items for all of your pets. A small water-proof bag that can be easily carried is ideal in case you are able to escape with your pets. It should be stored along with pet leashes near the exit you will use to evacuate. All of your pets should wear a sturdy collar with ID tags that have your current cell phone number. They should all be microchipped as well.

The master kit should contain:

■ Copies of veterinary tests and shot records

■ Individual photos suitable for “missing pet”

announcements as well as photos of you with the pets to prove ownership

■ Medications in original bottles, clearly

marked with the pet’s name, dosage amount, and schedule

■ A list of the microchip numbers of all pets

■ A thorough description of each pet (species,

age, sex, neuter status, weight, and color)

■ Complete contact information for you and a

trusted out-of-area friend or relative

It is also your responsibility to prepare a pet dis-aster kit with supplies for each of your pets. This larger pet disaster kit should be stored in easy-to-carry containers and also kept near the exit you will use when evacuating. Keep them packed and be sure to rotate fresh supplies of perishable items as recommended.

Disaster kit items should contain:

■ One-week supply of food and water per pet

(rotate every 3 months)

■ Feeding dishes and water bowls for each pet

■ Pet first aid kit

■ Toys and pet bed and/or blanket for each pet

■ Litter box with litter for cats or waste disposal

plastic bags for dogs

■ Leash and/or carrier for every pet

■ Manual can opener if needed

Do not double-cage animals, especially animals of different species or sizes when evacuating. Do not rely on how well your pets normally get along. You would hate for an animal to harm another due to stress and there be nothing you can do to separate them.

Plan your emergency evacuation route now by finding places that will accept your pets at reasonable driving intervals along the way. Only you can judge how far you can drive in a day. Call ahead and make reservations before you leave to insure a room for the night that will accept your pets. Take into consideration time for rest stops for your pets and passengers. Don’t forget that pets and those traveling with you will be under stress, and the roads may be extremely crowded. If at all possible, persons, evacuating with multiple or large pets or elderly persons should evacuate as early as possible. To make the trip easier on all involved and to take ad-vantage of less congested roadways, do not wait for a mandatory evacuation to be announced. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency person-nel, you may have to leave your pets behind. The longer you wait to evacuate your pets, the more difficult they will become to handle. Leave as early as possible.

(Continued on page 4)

W H Y NO T S U BS C R I BE TO ME T RO NE WS TO M AK E S U R E

YO U D O N ’ T M ISS A S I N GL E IS S UE !

CL IC K SU B SC R I BE / F E E DB AC K B UT T O N AT W WW . A CE S. E DU / U RB AN/ M ET RO NE W S

Pets are family members too!

So, be sure to include them in

your disaster plans.

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Disaster Management for Pet OwnersDisaster Management for Pet Owners By Jean Hall Dwyer, Extension Communications Specialist & EDEN Point of Contact

Preserving Natural Corridors By Wendi Williams, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist

If you take a look around your city you might be fortunate enough to see blocks of woodland areas. For some urban residents these wildlife and natural habitats might exist right in their own backyard where it’s not unusual to see a deer, coyote, skunk, opossum, raccoon, or even a hawk circling up above. But with the growth of urban populations, local wildlife may find it increasingly difficult to survive amidst paved roads and housing developments. This is why conservationists work hard to conserve patches of green spaces called wildlife, habitat, natural, or green corridors. Wildlife corridors, for example, make it possible for animals to roam habitats primarily for food, shelter, mating, or for hiding if threatened. However, these green corridors are not only critical to the survival of wildlife, but plant life as well. Plants and animals depend on each other to survive within their immediate physical environment called ecosystems. When this interdependency is threatened by urban sprawl or perhaps natural or manmade disasters, plants and animals will alter their behavior to survive or run the risk of becoming extinct. What can be done? Today, there are various models and methods that can be used to determine how much habitat can be conserved in order to sustain thriving plant and animal populations. Many conservation organizations like the Nature Conservancy or the World Wildlife Fund prefer conserving larger habitat areas rather than smaller areas. Cities, however, are more likely to conserve smaller habitat areas because there may not be any other alternatives. And certainly, plants and animals that may be on the verge of extinction are given higher priority and may be protected by law under the Endangered Species Act administered the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It will take careful observation and public and private organizations working together to determine the best course of action. The end result of group collaboration should be a sound habitat or conservation plan based on biological planning, conservation design, careful monitoring, and research that not only evaluates the effectiveness of the plan, but ensures the protection of plants, animals, and man. Conservation Organizations in the United States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_and_conservation_organizations_in_the_United_States

Preserving natural corridors requires developing an

effective conservation plan that protects plants, animals, and man.

Page 2 Metro News Volume 15, No.2

When wildlife habitats are threatened, animals will

roam urban areas for food and shelter.

Camp Conservation: Taking it on the Road By Denise Heubach, Urban Regional Extension Agent

Camp Conservation, introduced in 2015, is an on-site field trip alternative for underserved youth in low-income areas that may not otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience first-hand environmental science education. This activity-based educational outreach component of the Alabama Extension’s Urban Affairs unit is an innovative elementary-based teaching model that identifies current issues of natural resource conservation facing urban communities in the twenty-first century. Rotating every 30 minutes through a series of six field stations, Camp Conservation takes a closer look at the “wildside” of Alabama’s historical heritage as it correlates the state’s geographical significance with the need to preserve its abundant natural resources and biodiversity of plants and animals.

Campers explore environmental science topics such as:

C onservation Awareness O ceans, Rivers, and Streams: The Journey of Water N on-point Source Pollution: What’s the Solution? S oil, Sand, and the Lay of the Land E cosystem of the Longleaf Pine Forest R ecycling Relay V entures in GPS and Geocaching A quatic Bio-indicators of Water Quality T racking: In Search of Wildlife I nvertebrates: Macro Identification O bstacles to a Cleaner Environment N ative Plants and Animals of Alabama

Campers learn first-hand about local "urban wildlife habitats” through a variety of fun activities, exciting games, and unique take-home projects. Offered as the community outreach component of the Youth Exploring Environmental Science Program, Camp Conservation is a collaborative effort comprised of the Urban Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resource Management, and the Urban Home Grounds, Gardens and Home Pest teams, other Extension staff, and local community partners. Camp Conservation’s overall goal is to encourage students, through relevant educational programs, to become environmental stewards of our natural resources! The content is age appropriate and supplements many of the science content standards set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. Camp Conservation uses an assessment tool that identifies each participant’s increased ability to PERFORM: Problem solve, Evaluate, Reason, Focus, Observe, Research a problem, and Measure. During the 2016 Alabama Science Teachers’ Association’s State Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, Camp Conservation was presented as a concurrent session by Urban Regional Extension Agent Denise Heubach, generating immediate interest for future scheduling among elementary school educators. Camp Conservation is available during the spring through the fall months and can be set up on-site in a school yard, an outdoor classroom, scout camp, youth organizations, or other venues. Designed for youth entering grades 3 to 5, Camp Conservation accommodates 90-150 participants with 15-25 rotating per session. A $25.00 non-refundable pre-paid registration fee is required for each student to offset costs for camp materials and supplies. With a AAA rating for environmental awareness, adaptability of location and group size, and multiple hands-on activities, Camp Conservation is… Taking it on the Road!

For more information, please contact Denise Heubach at (251) 574-8445 or dhh0006@aces.edu.

Camp Conservation is great for scouting troops that love to explore the great outdoors.

Page 3 Metro News Volume 15, No.2

UREA Allyson Shabel educating youth about water quality.

Disaster Management for Pet Owners (Continued from page 1)

Here are some helpful websites that can be contacted ahead of time to find hotels along your emergency evacuation route that will accept your specific pets:

■ www.BringFido.com or 877-411-FIDO (Worldwide)

■ www.BringmyPet.com (Worldwide)

■ www.DogFriendly.com or 888-281-5170 (Worldwide)

■ www.DoginMySuitcase.com (International)

■ www.OfficialPetHotels.com (US and Canada)

■ www.Pet-Friendly-Hotels.net or 866-966-3046 (US)

■ www.PetTravel.com (International)

■ www.PetTravelCenter.com (US and Canada)

■ www.PetsWelcome.com (US and Canada)

■ www.TripsWithPets.com (US)

Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project: Engaging Urban Youth in Gardening By Denise Heubach, Urban Regional Extension Agent

Implemented through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit, the Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project engages urban youth in gardening. Adaptable for youth of all ages and rooted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles, the Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project utilizes garden seed packets to rein-force reading and math skills, as well as plant science with technology and design (USDE, n.d.).

Educators and youth leaders can easily incorporate this hands-on project into their program’s curriculum with the construction of individual planting boxes while introducing the concept of safe and secure food supplies through home gardening (UI Extension, 2016). A single cedar fence board is transformed into a personal square-foot garden. This relatively inexpensive, portable, and light-weight garden provides an opportunity for the cultivation of personal pride and responsibility for urban youth who otherwise have limited or no other access to traditional gardening experiences. By introducing youth to small vegetable and herb gardening, their interest in better nutritional choices may also grow (Edible School Gardens, n.d.). Students really dig learning as they “plant the seeds” of environmental stewardship.

Page 4 Metro News Volume 15, No.2

The Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project, a youth compo-nent of the urban initiative Green Living, Green Families, Green Communities, is designed to:

Increase the awareness of urban youth of the

importance of establishing safe and secure food supplies.

Provide a practical and manageable urban “gardening

experience” for underserved youth.

Incorporate inquiry-based teaching methods of

STEM principles through the construction, planting, and harvesting of individual square-foot gardens.

Reinforce the scientific method of investigation by

engaging youth to explore, observe, ask questions, and predict through the integration of hands-on activities in such areas as plant and soil science, geometry, measurement, simple engineering, and data collection.

Lil Sprouts has received positive reviews as an innovative way to engage youth in urban gardening when presented as a concurrent session at both the state and national level. For the past three years (2014-2016), the Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project has been presented during the Alabama Science Teachers’ Association’s State Conference held in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, the Lil Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project, 1 of 30 concurrent sessions selected from a field of 90, was introduced during the 2015 National Urban Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Modified for elementary plant science, the program has also been successfully presented in the classroom and provides students with an instructional science supplement, especially for schools with gardens.

Since 2015, more than 380 youth have participated in this urban gardening program and 140 personal “square-foot” vegetable gardens have been established. Extended two-hour “make-it and take it” workshops are also availa-ble for youth organizations, educational in-services, and adult groups. To cover the cost of the workshop’s resource materials and building supplies, a small fee is charged per participant. For those interested in scheduling a Lil’ Sprouts Growin’ Up Green Project classroom presen-tation or the two-hour gardening workshop, which includes the step by step instructions and building materials need-ed to construct a “square-foot “garden, please contact Urban Regional Extension Agent Denise Heubach at dhh0006@auburn.edu or 251-222-5860.

Remember…spring is here, so let’s get those lil’ sprouts growin’!

How PPCPs Affect our Drinking Water By Jeremy Henderson, SERPIE Intern

When you take a sip of ice cold water, have you ever wondered what is actually in your drinking water? Surprisingly, you may be appalled to discover that your drinking may contain traces of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). A 2008 investi-gation by the Associated Press found "a vast array of Pharmaceuticals — including anti-biotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans," (Horg-Webb, 2010). How are there PPCPs in my Water? There are many ways pharmaceuticals can enter into our drinking water, such as simply flushing them down the toilet. According to United States Geological Survey scientists, the main source of human pharmaceuticals in the environment is likely treated wastewater from households, industry, and commercial facilities. A potential source of veterinary pharmaceuticals is agricultural facilities where large numbers of food-producing animals like chickens, cattle and swine are treated with pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals enter the environment either directly from waste storage structures as a result of accidents or weather conditions, or through the application of manure and liquid waste to croplands (GAO Reports, 2011). Health Concerns The good news is that the pharmaceuticals found in the water supply have very little health risk to humans. While these trace substances may be detected at very low levels in source waters, people regularly consume or expose themselves to products contain-ing these substances in much higher concentrations through medicines, food, beverag-es, and other sources. The level in which they are found in source waters is very small in comparison (DrinkTap.Org, 2015). On the other hand, pharmaceuticals have a huge effect on aquatic species such as fish because humans have been knowingly disposing their unused prescription in the water supply. According to USA Today, aquatic toxicologists have found up to13 different med-ications, from over-the-counter pain killers to prescription antibiotics and mood stabi-lizers. Also, the pharmaceuticals in the water supply can cause female fish to grow male genitalia while some male fish have the ability to produce eggs (Doon, 2008). How to Keep PPCPs from our Water Supply A great way to keep PPCPs from entering the water supply is to take your leftover pre-scriptions to a drug take back program. The Drug Enforcement Administration, working with local law enforcement agencies, sponsor drug take-back days every few months. The main purpose of these events are to keep drugs out of the hands of drug abusers, but sponsors of the events, including city governments and retailers, have touted their environmental benefits as well.(DeArment, 2012). Visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html to find a drug take back program in your area.

Promotion for expired drug take-back event.

Page 5 Metro News Volume 15, No.2

PPCPs may do little harm to humans,

but they can be harmful to aquatic wildlife.

Articles are always welcome…

Although Metro News accepts articles on any topic pertinent to its audience, each issue will have a primary focus as follows:

January Health & Wellness

April Urban Gardening Wildlife & the Environment Disaster Management

July Nontraditional Extension Animal Management

October Community, Youth, & Family Development Consumer Education

Articles are to be submitted along with references to the editor at williw1@aces.edu by the second Monday of the preceding month of issue. Generally, articles should not exceed 700 words. Thanks for your contribution!

Contributors Jean Hall Dwyer, Extension Communications Specialist & EDEN Point of Contact, Alabama A&M University

Jeremy Henderson, Intern SERPIE Agricultural Science Extension Mentorship Program

Denise Heubach, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Mobile County Extension Office

Wendi A. Williams, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist, Alabama A&M University

Metro News Editorial Team - Alabama A&M University Julio Correa, PhD, Associate Professor & Extension Animal Scientist

Jean Dwyer, MS, Extension Communications Specialist (Website Design)

Wendi A. Williams, MS, Editor & Extension Communications Specialist (Newsletter Design)

Photos: Don’t Forget About Fido by Prepared BC; Wildlife Corridor by Milkwood.net; Raccoon by Triker Sticks; Camp Conservation/Lil’ Sprouts by Denise Heubach; Got Drugs by AAMU Public Relations Department; & Bass by Wikipedia;

Please visit us online at www.aces.edu/urban/metronews. The online HTML version of this publication contains a complete listing of article references. For inquiries, please contact the editor at 256-372-4953 or williw1@aces.edu.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University), is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome!

© 2016 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved.

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