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Topics:
Youth
Young
People Organize for the Environment
In Calhoun
County, Alabama, young people involved in 4-H have used the citizen
politics model to involve their local communities in ground water
protection. The young people held debates, developed action plans,
and organized an Earth Day clean-up. Story.
Story:
Young People Organize for the Environment
Much like
many communities across the state of Alabama, Calhoun County has
been concerned with its water quality. The actions affecting water
quality are often overlooked. For example, litter on roadsides,
illegal dumps, discarded car batteries, used motor oil, and septic
tanks all affect the quality of the drinking and recreational
water.
To address
the issue of water quality, 4-H clubs from two schools took time
to study water quality issues and the citizen politics model.
Calhoun County staff assisted the 4-H youth in how to get involved
in water quality issues in their local communities. Over the course
of six months, the 4-H'ers held debates on local water quality
concerns and developed action plans to involve their local communities
in clean-up efforts.
Youth from
the seven 4-H clubs in the two schools selected Earth-Day 1995
as a target to set up several collection sites within their communities.
They targeted large impact items, specifically, car batteries
and motor oil, as main collection items. In addition, they collected
other recyclable items including paper, glass, cardboard, and
aluminum. Club member achieved community involvement through a
public campaign of media, posters and one-on-one contacts with
local citizens and community officials.
The clubs
accumulated over $100 in recycled items, despite severe weather
conditions that day. More impressively, Earth Day activities proved
to be very successful in regards to long-term results. The impact
of the education provided about water quality, as well as the
impetus to change past practices, has continued to affect the
citizen response. These communities continue to maintain litter
control and recycling efforts. As for the funds generated by the
recycled items on Earth Day...they are being used to improve both
of the school campuses.
More information
Larry Easterwood
Calhoun County Extension
205-237-1621
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