Cal U Eco – Red, Black & Green A FPDC Learning Community

1. Cal U Eco – Red,Black & GreenA FPDC Learning Community Exploring human connections to the outdoors! Ohiopyle State Park PA Grand Canyon Cooks Forest State Park

2. What is Cal U Eco about? • Understanding human relationships with the natural world • Investigating how these relationships have changed through time • Examining why these relationships are changing • Exploring what we can do to repair & strengthen these connections

3. Cal U Eco – www.CaluEco.org Cal U Students, Faculty & staff Environmental education, nature-based recreation & campus sustainability planning. Cal U not just a place where learning happens… but Cal U can be living sustainability laboratory.

4. Cal U Eco – www.CaluEco.org Examines the ways the university promotes and contributes to physical & emotional health of its members through fitness, nutrition & outdoor recreation Examines how the collective actions of the university community impact the health of the natural places where we live & learn.

5. Cal U Eco – www.CaluEco.org Actively encourages a variety of perspectives through on-going university community dialogue & mutual support network Strive to encourage people to become more physically active in the out-of-doors Foster development of ethical interaction with the environment through education & stewardship.

6. Cal U Eco is: • John Confer, Parks & Recreation Mgmt. • Kyle Fredrick, Earth Sciences • Bill Hug, Elementary/Early Child Education • Susan Jasko, Communication Studies • Contributors • Carol Bocitti, Tom Mueller , Paula Caffrey, Maggy Aston, Sarah Meiss, Mark Tebbitt, Summer Arrigo-Nelson, Bob Whyte, Greg Harrison, David Argent, Jim Carter, Dana Ferry, Greg Gould, Nancy Zisk, Sue Mohney, Pamela Twiss • Cal U student organizations • Geology club, Parks & Rec society, Eco Action club, Wildlife society, Biology club, Cal U PRSSA • YOU!

7. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • Recent literature describes Americans’ changing behaviors, resulting in decreasing: • Health & fitness levels • Understanding of energy & food systems • Knowledge of nature & natural systems • Participation in nature-based experiences & outdoor activities • Visitation to parks & natural areas

8. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • Fromm (1964), Wilson (1984) & Kellert (1993) describe “Biophilia” as the attractions, positive feelings & connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of nature • Sobel (1995) coined the term “Ecophobia” as an irrational, groundless & sometimes hysterical dislike or fear of ecological problems & all or parts of the natural world • If we want people to flourish we need to give them time to connect with nature and love the Earth before we ask them to save it • We can cure the malaise of ecophobia with ecophilia - supporting people's biological tendency to bond with the natural world

9. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • “Go out and play” has become “don’t you dare go outside” • Nature of childhood has changed in a single generation: • 80% of Americans live in urban areas • 2/10 American children are clinically obese • Kids spend up to 44 hours per week plugged in • Kids are told the outdoors are unsafe & it’s too late to save the planet “Sensationalist media coverage and paranoid parents have literally ‘scared children straight out of the woods and field’ while promoting a litigious culture of fear that favors ‘safe’ regimented sports over imaginative play.” --Richard Louv

10. 2010 Kids Hooked on Media (even more!) • A recent study from the Kaiser Family Foundation creates the latest picture of youth & their involvement with all types of media • Some of the insights shared from this study include: • Total media consumption of young consumers ages 8 to 18 from mobile, TV, games, Internet, etc -- comes to a big 7 hrs 38 min/day, up from 6 hrs 21 min/day in 2004 • Multitasking across various media platforms just increases the numbers reaching 10 hrs 45 min/day in 2009 vs. 8 hrs 33 min just 5 yrs ago - That means kids have added over 2 hrs! • These figures don not include time spent “texting” the study found 30 of these young people sent over 100 text messages/day!! • TV is paying a big price; for the first time over the course of its ongoing study, the amount of time spent watching regularly scheduled TV -- live & time shifted -- declined by 25 min/day over those 5 yrs. • This doesn’t leave much time for active play, recreation & leisure in the out-of-doors! Videophilia is a noun coined by Pergams & Zaradic describing the current human tendency to focus on sedentary activities involving electronic media Important Note: The Kaiser study also notes that only 3 in 10 young people say they have rules about how much time they can spend watching TV, playing video games & using the computer (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, January 2010)

11. Why do we need a Cal U Eco? One family’s experience… In 1919 range = 6 miles In 1950 range = 1 mile In 1979 range = .5 mile In 2007 range = 300 yards From: Dr. Robert Bird in The Daily Mail, June 15, 2007

12. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • Videophilia trumps parks! • Fewer people (esp. children) are venturing to parks • To the contrary, on a typical day > 75% watch TV, videos, or DVDs As the time people spent on electronic media  increased, park visits decreased

13. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • Studies shows that people in the US & other developed nations are spending far less time in nature than ever before • Declines in per capita nature participation typically began 1981-1991 • Losing about 1% per year & have lost 18%-25% • Less contact with nature translates to decreased appreciation of the environment in future generations

14. Where Will Future Stewards of Nature Come From?* [What is the] extinction of a condor to a child who has never seen a wren? --Naturalist Robert Michael Pyle Illustration by Stephen Webster * Quotes by Richard Louv best-selling author of Last Child in the Woods Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

15. Why do we need Cal U Eco? • Universities throughout the country, big & small, are investing in “green” initiatives & campus sustainability projects • AASHE - Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education • “…the United States could be leading the way to creating a sustainable world. Furthermore, U.S. universities, as centers of innovation and learning, could be in the forefront, leading the charge.” - C. Uhl, Sustainability on Campus, 2004 • California University has worked hard to reduce our energy consumption through the Master Plan • Can we do more? • What about the campus natural spaces?

16. Highlights Cal U Eco Year 1 • Academic Excellence Days 2008 • Presentation of learning community plans & goals • Brown Bag Luncheons • Students & faculty invited to stimulate discussion of human connections to the outdoors & the natural world • Healthy People Healthy Communities, Naturally • One-day conference (Spring 2009 Early Feburary) • Web Site (CaluEco.org), Logos, Name (Cal U Eco) • Learning community progress, resources & announcements • Cal U Campus Sustainability • Celebrate successes, promote new initiatives & increase awareness • Initiate Student/Faculty “Outings” organization • Promote/offer outdoor recreation & leisure activities to campus community • Academic Excellence Days 2009 • Presentation of learning community outcomes at 2009

17. Cal U Eco - Fall 2008 Programs/Events • Welcome to Cal U Campus OutdoorsPicnic & Lawn Games • Safe Boating on the Mon @ Cal U • Ohiopyle Triathalon - Boat, Bike & Run @ Ohiopyle State Park • Lower Yough Whitewater Rafting Trip • Kan-Jam Games Tournament • Student, Faculty & Staff Brown Bag LunchCollaborations for Campus Sustainability • Yough River Trail Biking @ Cedar Creek Park • Adventure Activities Film Festival • Full Moon Hike & Owl Prowl @ Mingo Creek Park

18. Safe Boating on the Mon River Trip

19. Lower Yough River Raft Trip

20. Cal U Eco Spring 2009 Program/Events • Ohiopyle Winterfest @ Ohiopyle State Park • Kayaking Padding Techniques & Roll Sessions @ Cal U Hamer Pool • Cal U Eco ConferenceHealthy People, Healthy Communities - NATURALLY! • Cal U Eco Action, new student club affiliated with the Cal U Eco Learning Community • Stony Acres Challenge Course Trip • 2009 Academic Excellence Days Presentation

21. Stony Acres Challenge Course

22. Cal U Eco Goals Year 2 • Campus Sustainability Initiative • Service-learning projects associated with campus clean-up & sustainability efforts • Sustainable agriculture & local foods • Rain gardens on campus • Integrate Cal U sustainability examples in courses across campus • April 22, 2010 Cal U Earth Day!

23. Cal U Eco Year 2 Programs & Events • Education/Service Learning • Campus Building Energy Consumption • Monthly updates of building energy costs • 4H GPS workshop • Dr. Tom Mueller (Earth Sciences) with CalU Eco • Events • Hike to Mt. Davis (Early Fall, 2009) • Sponsored with Geology Club and Parks & Rec Club • Research • Evaluating impacts of Course-based field experiences on student learning and attitudes

24. Cal U Eco Fall 2009 Program/Events Welcome Back Cal U Eco EventSafe Boating on the Mon & River Cleanup Lower Yough Whitewater Rafting Trip Road Trip to GearFest sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton, OH REEL ROCK Climbing Film Festival & Cal U Climbing Wall Grand Opening Event Laurel Mountains Hike to Mt. Davis in Forbes State Forest Brown Bag Lunch DiscussionClean energy, green jobs & energy efficiency/conservation to save money & create jobs

25. Cal U Eco Spring 2010 Program/Events Ohiopyle Winterfest @ Ohiopyle State Park Cedar Creek Park BioBlast 2010 Academic Excellence Days Presentation Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival 2010 Earth Day Birth Day Celebration!

26. Happy Birthday Earth Day! • Earth Day Events 2010! • Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010 • Details: Earth Day Birthday Campus-wide Celebration • 5 days of special events, something for everyone! • Click HERE for the Full Earth Day Birthday Events Schedule • Movies, campout, presentations, posters - fun & educational! "It's easy being GREEN!"- Kermit the Frog

27. Earth Day Schedule of Events • Wednesday April 21, 2010 • 9-11:00 presentation “What does a tree do for me?” (365, 4th graders at local school) – Dr. Bocetti, Cal U Wildlife Society - posters, brochures and seedlings for distribution • 1-3PM Stream Clean up & litter pick up event at Rotary Park & Pike Run – meet at Eberly Lobby or at Rotary Park - Cal U Parks & Recreation Society • 4-4:30PM Come & watch "2010 ChillOut: Campus Solutions to Global Warming" webcast, Eberly Hall, Room 255Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming is America's leading competition & awards program recognizing college & university innovation to solve global warming

28. Earth Day Schedule of Events • Thursday April 22, 2010 - 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! • 9:30-1:30 - Fayette County Headstart Preschoolers (120 Kids) - Earth Day Celebration for Young Children: Early Explorations - Drs. Hug & Wright w/ ECE 405 class on the Cal U Quad - Sponsored by PNC Grow Up Great with Science Project • 12:00 Composting Demonstration outside Frich Hall – Mrs. Tebbitt • 12:00 Sustainable Smoothies booth outside Frich Hall – Biology Club • 1:00 Organic Farming Lecture in FRI 202 – Dr. Kolcon from West Virginia University • 2:00 Composting Demonstration outside Frich Hall – Mrs. and Dr. Tebbitt • 2:00 Wormbox Composting Demonstration outside Frich Hall – Dr. Meiss • 2:00 Sustainable Smoothies booth outside Frich Hall – Biology Club • 2:15 Earth Day 40th Birthday Cake! outside of Vulcan Theatre - Happy bEarthday! Poster • 2:30 Screening of “No Impact Man” in Vulcan Theatre sponsored by Cal U Eco Learning Community (No Impact Man Event Poster)made possible by Cal U SAI, No Impact Project, Slow Food USA & 1Sky - A drawing for Door Prizes

29. Earth Day Schedule of Events • Thursday April 22, 2010 - 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! • 4:30 Delivery of local, healthy, sustainable & organic food for campus campout meal – AVI Fresh • 4:30 Registration for Campus Campout for Sustainability & dinner between Frich Hall, Watkins & Eberly- must register to participate • 5:00 Leave No Trace Demonstrations – Mr. John Lucadamo from Venture Outdoors & LNT Trainer-Participants in campus campout must attend LNT workshop - we want to be No Impact Women/Men & Leave-No-Trace! • 6:00 Set up camp @ Campus Campout for Sustainability • 6:00 Earth Day Graffiti Murals - join Hip Hop Event to produce Earth Day Graffiti Murals – Jozart Studios, Wood & 2nd St, California, PA • 8:00 return to Campus Campout for Sustainability between Frich Hall, Watkins & Eberly • 8:00 Lawn Games, New Games & Competitions • 8:00 Enjoy acoustic blues band until 10:00

30. Earth Day Schedule of Events • Thursday April 22, 2010 - 40th Anniversary of Earth Day!All Day Events • Displays (throughout Frich Lobby, 1st floor and outside along sidewalk)Get your native seedling (from PA Game Commission) or native seeds (from iConservePA)See posters and brochures describing importance of trees – Cal U Wildlife Society • Buy Fresh Buy Local non-profit organization display promoting the value of local foods • Conservation Booth – learn about the causes for the decline in biodiversity – The Wildlife SocietyBiodiversity Posters display (2010 is also the International Year of Biodiversity!)For the Kids! Get your FREE Earth Day biodiversity workbooks – Produced by Dr. Confer's Human Ecology class • Art Exhibition Murals and Biological Drawings - Professor Aston • Get your re-usable water bottle! See posters illustrating consequences of plastic waste – Cal U Wildlife Society • Get your reusable grocery bags! See posters about North Pacific and Atlantic Plastic & Garbage Gyres - Dr. Frederick, Cal U Geology Club, Cal U Eco Action Club, Dr. Majcen & his Oceanography class • Learn about RecycleMania! Consider petition to change campus recycling practices!!Recycling bin painting project similar to fire hydrant project (tentative)- Dr. Frederick, Dr. Meiss, Cal U Biology Club, Cal U Wildlife Society, Cal U Geology Club • Learn about outdoor programming at other PASSHE schools & beyondPossible petition to start Outdoor Recreation Program through SAI & Cal U Department of Recreation Services – Parks & Rec Society, Wildlife Society & the Recreation Site Design class

31. Cal U Eco Goals Beyond Year 2… • Future Research & Scholarly Projects • Environmental Education Curriculum • Park visitation, outdoor experiences and emotional, physical, environmental response • SAI Sponsored Active Outing Club • Student-centered umbrella organization for individual & collaborative multi-club events and trips • Examples: Rafting, rock-climbing, hiking • Partner with Other Groups, Learning Communities & Clubs • Campus Sustainability Initiatives (cont.) • Energy consumption awareness & reduction • Recycling, Participate in 2011 ChillOut • Service-learning projects associated with campus clean-up & sustainability efforts.

32. Discussion:Where do we go from here?What are your ideas for Cal U Eco in 2010-2011?How would you like to contribute?

33. Thank You!

34. Get More Active in Professional Organizations • AASHE - Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education • Campus Ecology (NWF) • AORE – Association of Outdoor Recreation & Education (aore.org) • AEE – Association of Experiential Education (aee.org) • AEOE - Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (aeoe.org) • NSEE - National Society for Experiential Education (nsee.org) • NAGT – National Association of Geoscience Teachers (www.nagt.org)

35. Does education or interaction increase appreciation? • Education & participation with the natural world may increase personal responsibility for protecting it (stewardship) • Historically, environmental education • initiatives resonated with people • Iron Eyes Cody, Keep America • Beautiful (1971) • Woodsy the Owl – “Give a Hoot, • Don’t Pollute!” (1973) • Smokey the Bear – “Only YOU • can prevent forest fires” (1944)

36. Discussion Questions Please answer on the index cards • How much time do you spend outdoors in nature? • Would you like to spend more or less? Why? • How would you describe the quality of your relationship with the outdoors/nature? • Do you think it has changed? How? • In your view, what should Cal U faculty, staff and students do to address the our relationship with the outdoors/nature? • How does the media portray the outdoors and nature? • Do electronic communication devices affect how young people view nature and the outdoors? How? • Do you feel Cal U campus is a Green Campus? • Why/Why not? • Do you think we can do better and make the campus more sustainable? How?

37. Learning Community Goals: Proposed Year 2 • Active Outing Club – Eco Action • Student-centered organization for individual and collaborative events & trips • Examples: Rafting, rock-climbing, caving, hiking • Future Research & Scholarly Projects • Environmental Education Curriculum • Impact of field trips & field courses on student knowledge a & attitudes towards sustainability & the environment • Park visitation, outdoor experiences & emotional, physical, environmental response

38. Thank You for coming & participating! This iS not: THE END… This is just the beginning! Please sign up for more information & to become an active member of this Learning Community!