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Girl Scouts Are 'Forever Green'

By Jeff Baierlein, Girl Scouts of Western Washington

2012 is the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. To honor the impact Girl Scouts has had in shaping the lives of millions of women in its first century, Girl Scouts of Western Washington will undertake a year of special programming to rededicate girls to one of the principle values upon which Girl Scouts was founded – "using our resources wisely." We will have an integrated year of programming, special events, and fundraising built around environmental sustainability including twelve environmental monthly challenges:

  • Recycling and Waste Reduction: Saving just 23 pieces of paper a day will save one tree a year! One tree provides enough oxygen for two people.
  • Reducing Food and Package Waste: The average American family of four people throws away over 17 pounds of garbage a day, or almost 6,500 pounds!
  • Holiday Gift Wrap Use and Recycling: The average American uses over 2 pounds of gift wrap a year. By wrapping even half your gifts in reusable bags, bandanas, paper bags you already have in the house - or giving the gift of time--you can help save trees - and give something of yourself!
  • Conserving Heat! Over 1.5 million barrels of oil are used to make one year's worth of bottles.
  • Reducing Plastic Waste: It takes 2 gallons of water to create one gallon of bottled water, and the plastic bottles take thousands of years to biodegrade in land fill or in our oceans.
  • Reducing Electrical Usage and Upgrading Light Bulbs
  • Water Quality: Creating a Rain Garden
  • Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Eliminating just 20 miles of driving a week will save up to a gallon of gas a week. One gallon of gas produces 20 pounds of carbon. It takes a big tree in your neighborhood a whole month to get rid of that much carbon.
  • Using More Local and/or Organic Foods
  • Getting Outdoors! Plant a tree or a plant, learn about and practice environmental stewardship.
  • Reducing Use of Household Chemicals and Pesticides.
  • Buying Used/Recycled Clothing/Things Among Friends -}

    For more information, contact Jeff Baierlein, Vice President, Outdoor Education and Camp Programs, Girl Scouts of Western Washington (253) 798-5034 or http://www.GirlScoutsWW.org


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Updated 2015/01/07 21:14:22