Citizen Scientist Workshop

Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

Join instructors George Kish, US Geological Survey & Mary Campbell, UF Extension for a free training to engage volunteers in the collection of local ecological information; and introduction to Nature’s Notebook, a project of the USA National Phenology Network. Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and inter-annual variations in climate.

Come out and join Members, Volunteers and Participants of Native Plant Society, Audubon Society, NABA, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Florida Botanical Gardens, Sustainable Floridians, “Friends” of Local and State Parks, Refuges and Other Environmental Groups, as they assist resource managers, scientists & public in decision-making related to conservation.

Click here to register online for this free class.

How does Your Footprint Measure Up?

Mary Campbell, Urban Sustainability Agent

You know the size of your footprint, right? Or maybe not, if we are talking about the imprint that you leave on the planet from the resources you use and the waste you generate. But what if you are doing the right things to reduce your environmental footprint like recycling, energy conservation and buying local? How much does that make a difference?

Americans on average have the largest footprint in the world due to our high level of consumption. We consume 24% of the world’s energy with only 5% of the population. So is that a problem? If everyone starts to live like we do it is. With developing countries like China and India aspiring to similar lifestyles – multiplied by the population (2.6 billion) – we could have a major overshoot of our planet’s resources. If everyone lived the lifestyle of the average American we would need 5 planets.

There are methods to calculate your ecological or environmental footprint. Calculators are available on-line to help you determine how many planets it would take if everyone lived the same lifestyle as you. The ecological footprint has emerged as the world’s premier measure of humanity’s demand on nature. It measures how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes, using prevailing technology. Conceived in 1990 by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees at the University of British Columbia, the ecological footprint is now in wide use by scientists, businesses, governments, and individuals working to monitor ecological resource use and advance sustainable development.

Check out one of these calculators:
Global Footprint Network www.footprintnetwork.org
Redefining Progress www.myfootprint.org

Join me for Solutions in 30 Webinar on Wednesday, March 31 at 12:15 pm to learn more about Calculating Your Environmental Footprint

Just One Day?

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Today we celebrate the Earth and look at ways of living a little lighter on the planet (we’ve only got one, you know!). Today, there are headlines in newspapers, specials on the television, celebrations in communities, and lots of Earth-friendly advice being shared.

But why just one day?

We hope you will join us in making habits of sustainable practices and we are here to help guide you toward that goal. Reducing energy use, eliminating pollution, existing peacefully with our wildlife, and building stronger communities are what we do here at Extension; and the advice is all free.

Whether it is landscape advice, energy conservation, health and nutrition, family living, youth development, or wildlife issues, our University of Florida faculty provide research-based information available every day at www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Make every day an Earth Day and celebrate our wonderful planet year-round!