Environmental Education Programs and Resources

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Environmental Education Programs and Resources

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is dedicated to providing quality service to the people of Oklahoma through comprehensive environmental protection and management programs. As a part of this mission, the DEQ places a high priority on providing citizens with rapid response to environmental concerns and quality public information. It also works to build and implement innovative and effective programs to promote pollution prevention waste reduction and recycling. Additionally, the DEQ strives to provide fair, consistent and effective compliance with environmental laws. The DEQ has the responsibility to oversee air quality, water quality and waste management in the State of Oklahoma. The DEQ has many resources available to the public upon request.

The Land Protection Division is charged with the regulation of the movement and disposal of solid and hazardous waste within the state to reduce the risk of contamination or pollution. In addition, this division regulates radiation waste management, groundwater protection, and it oversees cleanup of Superfund sites. Land Protection Division also houses the Environmental Education program, which coordinates agency environmental education for K-12, higher education and the general public. This group provides education grants, recycling and waste reduction assistance, public speakers and training for schools and communities.

Publications / Factsheets

Land Protection Division

Environmental Education and Special Projects

Contacts:
	Bryce Hulsey
	(405) 702-5295

Publications (underlined titles are on-line)

· 59 Ways to Help Keep Oklahoma Beautiful - suggestions to reduce, reuse, recycle, respond, & conserve energy and water to help preserve the environment

· America Recycles Day packet with ideas to celebrate ARD at home, at work, at school (November 15 annually)

· Community Gardening Checklist-how to start and maintain a community garden

· ECO Views - Environmental tips about air, water and waste for students (newsletter format)

· Environmental Education Funding Opportunities

· Environmental Education Resource Guide (statewide programs and contacts)

· EnvironMentor-newsletter for teachers and other educators published 3 times each year; contains environmental resources, grants, events and workshop opportunities (www.okaee.org)

· Fact Sheet: Basics of Backyard Composting

· How to Build a Compost Bin

· How to Compost School Waste

· How to Make a Locker Clean-Out An Environmental Event

· Let's Get to Know Our Environment (environmental activity book - approximate age level from 9-15)

· Let Worms Eat Your Garbage -worm composting/vermin-composting "how-to" for homes or classrooms

· Litter-Free Events - "how-to" guide for schools and groups

· Make Every Day a Waste-Free Lunch Day - "how-to" guide for schools and groups

· Household Pollutant Inventory Sheet (only available on website)

· Recipes for Safe Alternatives to Household Hazardous Waste -suggestions for replacing your toxic household products

· Recycling: Directory of Oklahoma Recyclers - statewide index of recycling collectors (only available on website)

· Recycling Fact Sheet: Consumer eCycling in Oklahoma

· Recycling Fact Sheet: Do You Have Two Minutes a Day? - facts about a variety of household recyclables

· Recycling Fact Sheet: DEQ Challenges You! - facts about paper recycling

· Recycling Glossary - definitions for recycling terms (only available on website)

· Recycling: Implementation Plan for School Recycling Program

· Recycling: Solid Waste Resources Packet - list of classroom materials, audio-visual aids, school compost resources, periodicals, books, web sites, technical and educational contact names

· Recycling: Overview of Oklahoma Recycling Industries-list of companies using recycled commodities in manufacturing products (only available on website)

· Recycling: Waste Tire Recycling Program

· School Guide for Recycling and Litter Prevention- how to organize, promote and maintain a school recycling program and litter prevention activities

· Solid Waste Curriculum Units for grades K-8 (Waste reduction, recycling, litter, worm composting, etc.)

· Sustainability Curriculum Units for High School-Classroom activities to accompany books: Our Ecological Footprint, Reducing Human Impacts on the Earth by Wackernagel and Rees, Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Stuff, the Secret Lives of Everyday Things by Ryan and Durning, Green Teacher units and more

· Use Less Stuff Campaign- electronic articles to use as press releases or in newsletters on such topics as: composting, household pollutants, how to have a green Christmas, handling post-holiday clutter, ozone, Leave No Trace camping, don't bag it (grass clippings), environmental tips for Earth Day, the secret life of hamburgers, computers, potatoes, coffee and more

· Use Less Stuff Campaign PSAs for newsletter (color and black&white versions available)

· Use Less Stuff/America Recycles Day Project Ideas for Schools

· Use Less Stuff Resources - list of books, periodicals, sustainability education websites, stop junk mail, and more

· Waste-Free Lunch "how to" guide

(1) Environmental education is the key element in protecting our natural resources and must become a priority in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Environmental License plate is available to all citizens by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to support environmental education in the state. (See back cover for details.) In order to encourage teachers and youth leaders to develop effective environmental programs or strategies, the Environmental Quality Education Committee offers three types of grants annually funded from the license tag income and disseminated through the following grant programs: $1000 grants for outdoor classrooms and environmental education grants for K-12 Oklahoma teachers or youth group leaders for projects intended to promote new enthusiasm for the practice of environmental education. Activities qualifying for this grant include classroom education materials, supplies for specific lesson plans, films and videos, continuing education (limited), resource trunks, outdoor classroom development, and others. (Usually offered in early fall) $200 field trip grant for grade 9-12 public school teachers wanting their students to see sound environmental programs in action, receive first-hand information on pollution prevention methods, and learn about potential careers in a variety of environmental areas. Students will be exposed to hands-on learning during visits to such locations as a new and innovative recycling facility, a manufacturing site, a state-of-the-art landfill, an oilfield remediation site, or a wastewater treatment plant. (Usually offered in early winter)

NOTE: Additional programs and materials are available from DEQ. To request more information you can write to us at: P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677 or call us at:

Customer Services Division, 405-702-1000
Air Quality Division, 405-702-4100
Water Quality Division, 405-702-8100
Land Protection Division, 405-702-5100

For Fact Sheets or Publications contact our Public Information Officer at: 405-702-1010.

Name	Phone Number

Bryce Hulsey	(405) 702-5295
Fenton Rood	(405) 702-5159

Bookmarks:	"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" "Oklahoma Water, Clear and Clean" "Air Quality"
Bumper stickers:	"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" "You Dump It, You Drink It" (used motor oil)
Posters:	"Recycle; Preserve Oklahoma’s Natural Resources" "Oklahoma Water; Clear and Clean" "Clean Air . . . An Oklahoma Natural Resource." (all are beautiful photos of Oklahoma landscapes)

Publications / Factsheets