Category Archives: Education
Inspiring Civic Engagement and Environmental Advocacy
A defining moment of my long career in education occurred in March 2017. I had been working with colleague Ann Zivotsky and her 5th grade class as we developed an opinion/argument writing unit on marine debris that delved into the problem … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education, Marine debris, Single-use Plastics Policies
Tagged environmental literacy, Marine debris, plastic pollution
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Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Vista Take Action; Escondido and Oceanside Lag Behind
A group of North County residents and I first spoke to the Carlsbad City Council about the plastic pollution problem during a Council meeting in February 2019. That evening, Council Members voted unanimously to place single-use plastics on the legislative … Continue reading
Leading with Climate Justice
During a recent Portrait of a Graduate Student Summit held in Oceanside, young people were asked what skills they thought would be needed in the future. One high school senior replied, “I need to know how to live in a … Continue reading
Playing with Plastic
Sand toys found on the beach make fun designs, but plastic toys can be harmful to children. According to new research from the Technical University of Denmark, “Out of 419 chemicals found in hard, soft, and foam plastic materials used … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education, Marine debris, Plastic debris, Play, Sand toys
Tagged Marine debris, people or plastic, planet or plastic, plastic pollution, shoresweep
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Be Disposable Free
Plastic cutlery is often among the top ten items found during shoreline cleanups, and I have certainly collected my fair share while walking at the beach. Plastic knives, forks, and spoons are not recyclable in most waste systems, because they … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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The Butterfly Effect
The butterfly effect theory comes from meteorologist Edward Lorenz and the idea that the development of a tornado can be “influenced by minor perturbations such as the flapping of the wings of a distant butterfly several weeks earlier.” In other words, … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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Sea Turtle
More than half of the world’s sea turtles have ingested plastic, and sadly, they are especially susceptible to its harmful effects. According to Sea Turtle Conservancy, their anatomy prohibits the regurgitation of debris, and the accumulation of plastic in their … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
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ShoreSweep 