Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5611 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Susan Wingard

County Extension Coordinator

March 30, 2010

Be a Part of the Master Environmental Educators Program

Would you like to learn more about our coastal environment? If you are concerned about taking care of the environment then come join us. We are looking for volunteers to teach environmental awareness in Baldwin County. No previous teaching experience or knowledge is required, and volunteering for the Master Environmental Education program is a great way to give back to your community. You will learn some exciting and informative ways to take care of our coastal environment while meeting interesting people.

Emily Kling, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, developed the Master Environmental Education program in 1995. She wanted Baldwin County residents to have an understanding and appreciation for the environment in their own backyards.

Master Environmental Educators (MEE) are teaching students about taking care of the environment. This month, I had the opportunity to participate in one of the recycling lessons.  The program reminds participants that recycling saves land, energy and natural resources.  Did you know that recycling aluminum cans saves 95 percent of the energy required to make aluminum cans from scratch?  One of the questions that gets us all thinking is how long does it take for materials to decompose if not recycled.  Do you know how long it will take for aluminum cans or plastic bottles to decompose? The estimates are aluminum cans 200-500 years and plastic bottles about 500 years. This is just one example of a lesson being taught by a MEE.

Leisa Myles, Agent Assistant, teaches a recycling program to students.

The Master Environmental Educator program has a two-day training session scheduled for volunteers on Aug. 19 and 20 at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. This intensive two-day training will provide you with the information and resource materials you will need.

Volunteers will receive training on the Aquatic Nuisance Species, Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Energy, Groundwater Pollution, Invasive Plant Species, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Solid Waste and Recycling, and Water Cycle. T he Master Environmental Educators are asked to donate 20 hours of time a year to teach one or more of the lessons in the community or participate in MEE exhibits in our county.

Master Environmental Educator applications are on our website at .   For more information, contact Leisa Myles, Agent Assistant, at the Baldwin County Extension Office.

BodyWorks Train The Trainer Workshop

A BodyWorks Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 29 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Farmers Federation Building in Robertsdale.  BodyWorks is a health education program designed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.  Participants in the program will be prepared to implement the BodyWorks Program with parents and caregivers in their communities.  The program provides parents and caregivers of young adolescents with tools to help improve family eating and activity habits. 

For more information about BodyWorks, visit the website .  To register for the program, contact the Baldwin County Extension Office at 251-937-7176 or 943-5061/928-0860, ext.2222 by

April 2.

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.