Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Susan Wingard

County Extension Coordinator

August 31, 2010

Master Environmental Education

This month, volunteers participated in training to be Master Environmental Educators in our area.  The two-day intensive training was held at Weeks Bay Reserve and Estuary.  During the training, volunteers participated in training on these topics:  Aquatic Nuisance Species,  Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Energy, Invasive Plant Species, Groundwater, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Recycling, and the Water Cycle. Volunteers will be available to present these lessons to public and private schools and to community groups in our area. 

Kneeling Left to Right, Ann Fields, Justice Manning

2nd Row: Susan Wingard, Catherine Cortelyou, Jaime Armbruster, Ruth Skaggs, Becky Bowen, Leisa Myles, Cathy Banning

3rd Row: Miles Doolittle, Laurie Gay, Eileen Saunders, Bobbie Rooker, Geri Andrews, Clint Martin

Back Row, Jeffrey Gay, Daniel Urban, Traci Dipietro

Here are a few questions from the lessons to check your environmental education awareness:

1.  How much energy is saved by recycling aluminum cans?

a.  50%

b.  75%

c.  95%

2.    What is the source of most of Baldwin County’s drinking water?

a.  groundwater

b.  surface water

3.  How much water does each of us use each day?

a.  10 to 25 gallons

b.  30 to 40 gallons

c.  50 to 150 gallons

4.  What items are essential for animals to survive in a habitat?

a.  food

b.  water

c.  shelter/safety

d.  all of the above

5.   Which of these plants are invasive?

a.  Cogongrass

b.  Chinese Privet

c.  Japanese Climbing Fern

d.  all of the above

If you would like more information on the Master Environmental Education program, contact our office at 937-7176 or 943-5061/928-3002, ext. 2222.  The answers to the questions are  1. C 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. D

Baldwin County Extension Office held its annual Advisory Council meeting recently.  During the meeting, members learned about the statewide needs assessment being conducted by Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  The Extension Staff members highlighted educational programs that were presented during year.  Advisory members were asked to identify the top 5-7 needs in our county that could be addressed by Extension educational programs.  Several Advisory members were recognized for their service.

Baldwin County Extension Advisory Awards

Extension Advisory Members receiving awards are L-R  Jett Freeman, Tanys Waldron, Ray Bertolla, Susan Wingard, County Extension Coordinator, Sue Stanley, and Lula Lee.

Want to Become a Master Gardener?

The Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program provides more than 50 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in horticulture and related areas.

To become a certified Master Gardener, one must return at least 50 hours of approved Master Gardener volunteer service. Examples include assisting Extension Agents, answering gardening related phone calls, writing fact sheets or gardening columns for local newspapers, speaking to garden clubs or civic organizations, assisting with the next Master Gardener class, working on special projects within your community or city, or pursuing your own project ideas.

The next Master Gardener Volunteer Training will begin January 26, 2011. To receive an application or for more information, call the Baldwin County Extension office at (251) 937-7176 or 943-5061/928-0860 ext. 2222.

Email address: swingard@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.