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GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
U.S. Army Environmental Command
http://aec.army.mil
Celebrating Army Earth Day
Earth Day is an international event raising awareness
of and concern for the environment. First
celebrated April 22, 1970, Earth Day rallied more
than 20 million Americans in support of environmental
activities.
The event was the largest grassroots
movement in U.S. history and also
sparked the first major pieces of environmental
legislation: the Clean Air
Act and Clean Water Act.
Earth Day is now a worldwide event
which hundreds of millions of people
in close to 180 countries celebrate
each April 22. It represents a U.S.
and international commitment to environmental
security. The Army Earth Day poster and
Army-wide activities are part of that celebration.
Setting Program Goals
Be selective in the programs or projects you plan to
display. Consider your overall installation environmental
program in your planning, addressing topics
in compliance, conservation, pollution prevention,
cleanup (installation restoration), and Net Zero.
Think about the type of event you want. Will your
event have a carnival atmosphere with games and
clowns, or will it include serious speakers addressing
a seated crowd? Either one or a combination of
both is appropriate, depending on the audience you
want to reach. It is not a good idea, however, to
book an entire day of speakers.
Inside this Guide
Celebrating Earth Day
Setting Program Goals
Planning an Earth Day
Event
Assembling an Earth Day
Team
Tapping Resources
Remember that games for children are fun and
easy to do, and children bring the added bonus of
parents.
If the local community has planned an Earth Day
celebration, ask about participating in those
festivities rather than staging a separate event.
Your participation should complement the
community event while promoting awareness of
the Army's environmental program record. By
joining in such events, you take the Army
message to the community and enhance the
Army's reputation as a good neighbor.
1
1
2
2
3
Working With Volunteers
Promoting Your
Program
3
Delegating Responsibilities 4
4
Recommended Earth Day
Activities
5-6
Army Earth Day Messages 7
Appendices
A -Earth Day Publicity Materials
B- Building a Solar Box Cooker
C - Recipes for a Healthy
Environment
D - Composting Yard Waste
With more than 13 million acres of land and hundreds
of plant and animal species in its care, the
Army, its Soldiers, Families, and Civilians recognize
the importance of sound environmental
stewardship.
Although Earth Day is April 22,
and many celebrations are scheduled
on or near that date, it is important
to remember sustaining
the environment is an everyday
responsibility and one the Army
takes seriously.
Army Earth Day exemplifies the
Army’s commitment to protect the
public resources entrusted to
military care and provides an opportunity to focus
attention on its environmental program.
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GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
Planning an Army Earth Day Event
Planning an installation-wide Army
Earth Day event is like planning a
community appreciation day, only with
the environment as the focus.
As with all post-wide events, planning
for Earth Day begins with getting
installation leadership support early
enough to ensure a place on the
installation calendar.
Secure Commander approval in early
January, then make sure the date -
April 22 or another convenient day - is
on all participants’ and leadership
calendars. Begin holding planning
meetings.
Command endorsement is step one in
creating a successful Earth Day event;
the next is assembling a good team.
Assembling an Earth Day Team
Pulling together a team of
interested and dedicated
individuals is crucial to an
event's success. Team
members are responsible
for selecting sites, dates,
and activities to support
the theme; developing
event goals; generating
publicity; and providing
activities, exhibitors, and
entertainment.
Your core team members
should come from:
The post environmental
staff has valuable
experience in all aspects
of environmental
management and can
provide technical support
in arranging displays or
showcasing the installation's
environmental
programs, projects and
successes. They also
have valuable contacts
with outside environmental
agency personnel
who may provide information
materials or be interested
in partnering with
you to put together an
exciting event.
A Public Affairs Office
(PAO) develops the
command media and
community relations programs,
and deals with a
variety of off-post organizations
and civic leaders.
Public Affairs staff can:
• Heighten awareness
and encourage attendance
by sending out
articles, announcements,
and media releases to
installation and local
media outlets.
• Function as official
spokespeople for offpost\media
queries.
• If appropriate, arrange
services of an Army band.
Morale Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) staff
are often responsible for
installation recreational
facilities, such as parks
and open spaces. They
also sponsor many Soldier
and Family activities
so could be a good partner
for your Army Earth
Day event.
Your MWR can help
reserve space for an
event, or suggest activities
for the location.
Your MWR may be able
to coordinate with its
marketing office, which
can help with many promotional
items. Only your
MWR representative is
authorized to accept or
acknowledge corporate
support such as money,
services, and products.
April is the Month of the
Military Child, so you may
want to combine your
Army Earth Day with an
MWR event. Partnering
with a school that serves
military families can
promote understanding of
the Army’s environmental
goals.
The Office of the Staff
Judge Advocate’s environmental
law specialists
should be included for
both event ideas and to
ensure compliance with
fiscal law and ethics regulations.
The
Safety Office,
Directorate of Public
Works, Military Police,
and other staff and organizations,
also can be
valuable resources.
Restoration Advisory
Boards, which provide
public input to Army environmental
restoration
programs, are important
links to the community
and should be included.
Plan a short kickoff
meeting at a time and
location convenient to all
team members. Ask the
members to introduce
themselves and describe
what they can contribute
to the team.
GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
Page 3
Tapping Resources
Make a list of installation and community
organizations that can support your Army
Earth Day events. Possibilities include:
U.S. Army Environmental Command
Post graphics staff
Post print shop
Post photo lab
Post Protocol office
Organizations such as the Family
Readiness Group, Spouse's Club
State and local parks and recreation
departments
State departments of wildlife, game
and/or fish
Museums and nature centers
Extension services such as the
agricultural extension service
Environmental organizations such as
The Nature Conservancy and
Audubon Society
The local U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and other state
and federal environmental agencies
Youth organizations such as college
student unions, scout troops, and
high school ecology clubs
Recycling and beautification associations
and organizations
Grassroots organizations and civic
groups such as the Rotary Club,
Jaycees, Kiwanis, Junior League,
and League of Women Voters
Retirement groups
Organic lawn care and pest control
companies
Businesses that produce pollution
prevention products, composters,
recycled products, etc.
Dance troupes, musicians, and
artists
Radio and TV stations, and newspapers,
which may promote or
report on the event
Coordinate outreach efforts with your
PAO and Staff Judge Advocate to ensure
compliance with all fiscal and ethics
rules.
Working with Volunteers
Incorporating volunteers into the
planning process can enhance
any Army Earth Day event.
Volunteers not only add to your
ability to make the event a
success, they also help both the
planning and the event build a
sense of community among all the
groups working on the project.
When you seek volunteers from
organizations such as those on the
"Tapping Resources" list, ask them
to provide information on their skills
and interests along with their name,
email address, and phone number.
Once you have evaluated your
volunteers' skills, match people with
tasks they will enjoy. Also look for
opportunities for activities you may
not have already planned. For
example, an Eagle Scout candidate
from your local Boy Scout troop
may want to complete a project in
conjunction with your event.
Keep volunteers informed, and
make sure they have the resources
and time they need to complete
their projects.
Seek input from volunteers. Trying
to include their ideas will
encourage others to share their
thoughts and be creative.
Most people volunteer because
they want to make a difference in
their community. As you acknowledge
their hard work, be sure to
point out how the community
benefits from their participation.
Not only will this specific praise
help you keep the volunteers you
have, it will encourage others to
volunteer at your next event.
Again, it is important to coordinate
with your Staff Judge Advocate to
ensure that your volunteer activities
are in compliance with the
law.
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GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
Delegating Responsibilities
Choose a coordinator for each of
the following event areas:
1. Exhibitors, volunteers, and
sponsors (remember your MWR
representative is the only one who
can procure sponsorship or
accept donations)
2. Entertainment
3. Production
4. Publicity
Make a list of action items for each
coordinator and a schedule for
completing those actions. If available,
use checklists and "lessons
learned" from past major public
events, such as the installation's
community appreciation day.
Action items include:
1. Confirm a date for your event. A
week-long celebration can have the
greatest impact, especially if it ends
with a parade, festival, or luncheon.
If you are going to open your event
to the public, you may choose to
stage your event over the weekend
rather than on the traditional Earth
Day of April 22.
When setting the date, avoid
competing events, such as Arbor
Day festivities or other community
events. Get your date on the
installation calendar as soon as
possible to avoid potential conflicts.
2. Reserve a location based on:
The number of people you
expect to attend
Climate (don't pick a picnic
shelter if it's still cold in your
part of the country)
Availability (reserve locations
ahead of time whenever
possible)
Suitability (Can you set up
booths or tables? Is electricity
available? Are restrooms
nearby? Is parking available?)
3. Prepare a draft schedule,
keeping in mind that it is likely to
change. Have speakers and
entertainers commit early to
appearance dates and times. Do
the same for exhibitors, and give
them time to set up and tear down
their booths.
4. Coordinate your agenda with the
post Security and Protocol offices
as soon as possible. Security can
help with on-post access and other
security concerns. Protocol can
help with distinguished visitors and
other protocol issues.
Promoting your Program
Work with your Public Affairs office to publicize your
event through the local media and the post newspaper
and bulletins. See if Public Affairs can assign a staff
person to coordinate your event publicity. Include pertinent
information about your events, such as the who,
what, when, where and why. Also include the name
and phone number of a committee contact person.
Submit news releases to newspapers and radio, local
TV, and cable stations at least a month in advance and
plan to follow up to confirm their attendance. Coordinate
national coverage with the HQDA Office of the
Chief of Public Affairs after initiating the process
through your installation Public Affairs office.
To further promote your program, your Public Affairs
office can:
• Host a media day and invite local media to the
installation to show off innovative, Earth-friendly
systems and processes. Provide the media with a
diverse summary of program initiatives and accomplishments.
Include an installation tour to show how
your post incorporates environmental concerns when
meeting its mission objectives. Provide photo opportunities
that show success in pollution prevention, conservation,
cleanup, or compliance.
• Submit articles on the history of Earth Day and previous
installation events to army.mil, installation or local
newspapers, or via social media . Send short,
informative sound bites to local radio stations.
• Submit weekly "Did You Know?" environmental trivia
briefs, or environmental tips to the installation newspaper
or publish using social media.
For more information on promoting your Earth Day
event, see Appendix A.
5. Compile an invitation list. Let the
post Protocol and Public Affairs
offices help you identify your target
audience. This can be as simple
as inviting all installation personnel,
local radio and TV stations, the
local newspaper and city officials.
6. Order Earth Day posters and
flyers. USAEC’s Public Affairs
Office has a limited amount of Army
Earth Day supplies, including an
annual Army Earth Day poster and
message. Posters can be ordered
from January through mid-February
for delivery in April. Your installation
printing office may also be
available to reproduce your own
version of Earth Day materials.
USAEC’s PAO can provide the
electronic version.
7. Reserve the post marquee
through MWR. Determine ahead of
time what you want to say, and
include event locations and times.
8. Make site arrangements based
on your needs. Do traffic cones
need to be set out? Will you need
recycling bins as well as trashcans?
Determine the people
responsible for these items on your
installation and make arrangements
to obtain what is needed.
GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
Page 5
Recommended Earth Day Activities
Army Earth Day events
should promote
environmental awareness
and education.
The activities below
have proven to be
successful Earth Day
celebrations. Many of
these activities require
minimal funds.
Make your Army Earth
Day a full-circle event; if
it generates funds, designate
them to support
an environmental project
of interest to the
installation and the
community. If possible,
tie activities to successful
programs on your installation.
Environmental Awareness
Conduct an environmental installation
tour to introduce the community
to your installation's environmental
programs. Show off innovative
systems, such as closed-cycle wash
racks, nonhazardous paint stripping
operations, firing-range bullet traps,
small parts washers, drum compactors,
oil filter presses, and aerosol
can disposal systems.
Or, set up an environmental fair
with displays and exhibits to teach
Soldiers, Families, and community
members about good environmental
practices.
Hold an "eco-thon," an event
similar to a walk-a-thon. Have
participants collect pledges based
on how many Earth Day educational
displays they visit, then set up
several booths in a field or auditorium.
The participants go from booth
to booth, learning about ways your
post protects the environment. The
funds raised can be contributed to
an environmental program, such as
a riparian forest project.
Hold a drive to recycle or repurpose
clothing and household textiles.
Check with the environmental office
to see if there is a nearby facility that
accepts these items. Ask people to
Invite Soldiers and
Families and/or community
to help with a
grounds cleanup to
remove rocks and debris
from the installation
or a school playground.
Award prizes to those
who collect the most
debris.
Conduct an installation
cleanup day or clean
up trash along a stretch
of public land.
Sponsor an Earth Day
fun run/walk through a
“natural” area of your
installation.
bring clean clothing, sheets, nylon
curtains, drapes, hats, paired socks
and paired shoes to a central point (a
parking lot or post recycling center)
for collection and delivery to the
facility or facilities. Can also be done
for furniture, electronics or other
large recyclables to encourage reuse
or for special items like eyeglasses
and hearing aids..
Offer environmental tours of
recycling centers or (if your installation
has one) the hazardous material
pharmacy.
Conduct essay or poster contests
at local schools.
Hold an Earth Day logo design
contest at the local high school or
college.
Offer an environmental speaker’s
bureau and have installation environmental
staff visit area schools or
community groups to discuss sound
environmental practices, how the
Army is employing them and what
similar things they can do. Note:
schedule the visit as soon as possible
to get on the school calendar.
Make a "humanitree" out of
recycled materials and attach leaves
cut from discarded paper bags. Write
a promise on each leaf related to
saving the environment.
Set up an environmental maze
using stakes and surveyor's tape
(very low cost). At each break in the
path, ask an environmental question
or have a station or poster providing
environmental tips that give clues to
get to next stop.
Host a recycling fashion show with
outfits made out of recycled materials.
Energy
Conservation
Have a vehicle reduction day. Ask
employees on post to ride bicycles
to work, take public transportation or
car pool.
Display alternative fuel vehicles -
hybrids, electric, solar or natural gas
powered vehicle (contact your local
utility company for assistance).
Conduct a solar bake-off. Set up
solar box cookers for participants to
try different recipes. Give a prize to
the creator of the best recipe (such
as nachos, hot dogs or baked potatoes).
(See Appendix B)
Natural Resource Conservation
Host a tree-planting ceremony with
trees donated from the National
Arbor Day Foundation.
Choose trees that are indigenous to
your area that can provide habitat
and food to animals, as well as
create a protective canopy.
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GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
More Earth Day Activities
Host a kids' fishing derby at installation
ponds, and ask state game biologists
to describe their catches to them.
Make educational trails with legends
identifying trees and plants. Also, place
garbage along the trail, with signs explaining
how each item harms the environment.
For example, put a sign next
to a plastic bag explaining how a turtle
can swallow it and die.
Locate and identify edible plants,
such as nut and fruit trees, honeysuckles,
grapevines, rose petals, and
mint leaves.
Host a plant recycling event. Have
people bring unwanted indigenous
plants or seedlings from their yards
to a common area on post for planting
or distribution.
Build birdhouses and install them
throughout the installation. Tell participants
about the birds you want to
attract, why they need artificial nests
and the value these birds bring to
the local ecosystem.
Hold a "bird walk." Contact your
local Audubon Society to enlist the
help of a skilled bird watcher who
can identify and count birds on your
installation. Point out which birds are
year-round residents and which are
migrants, and discuss their habitat
requirements. Provide an identification
pamphlet.
Hold a "tree walk" to identify native
and exotic trees. Describe each
species' value to the local
ecosystem (source of shade and
nesting cover, for example). Provide
an identification pamphlet.
Have a "Paul Bunyan" contest.
Find the largest tree in the area.
Measure the tree by the number of
people that can fit around it by holding
hands.
Conduct a nature photo contest
and display best photos on line.
Play "habitat hide-and-seek."
Create a home for a selected animal.
Ask contestants to find the
home and identify its occupant.
Start a community garden, pumpkin
or wildflower patch, strawberry or sunflower
field by planting seeds in a common
area.
Donate plants or flowers students
plant in biodegradable pots to a children's
hospital or nursing home.
Restore an erosion area.
Visit a wildlife conservation area
and have a natural resources expert
discuss the project.
Creating a greenhouse demonstration
to explain global warming. Place
two shallow cardboard boxes side-byside
in the sunlight. Put a thermometer
inside each box, preferably in a shaded
area. Place a piece of glass over one of
the boxes, creating a tight seal. Within
minutes, the temperature in the glasscovered
box will rise above that in the
uncovered box. For an added touch,
measure the rate at which ice cubes
melt in the boxes.
Stencil storm sewers :
Do Not Dump -Sewer
Drains to Natural Waters.
Waste Management & Restoration
Host a household hazardous waste
turn-in day. Reusable items, such as
paint, can be donated to the self-help
store. The installation can dispose of all
other materials.
Have a “recycling sale” where participants
get tickets in exchange for their
recyclable items. They can trade
tickets for prizes (coloring books,
reusable drink bottles, etc.).
Cleanup a mini landfill. Dump a load
of trash onto the lawn and ask for volunteers
to don masks, goggles, and
gloves and separate the trash. This
activity demonstrates the large amount
of recyclables that are thrown away and
will save the materials from the local
landfill (don't throw recyclables back
into the trash).
Pollution Prevention
Hold a "dirty sock contest" in a parking
lot to demonstrate how auto emissions
affect air quality. Ask contestants
to place a clean white sock over their
car's exhaust pipe and run the engine
for 30 seconds. The contestant with the
dirtiest sock wins a free tune-up at the
installation's auto hobby shop, while
the one with the cleanest sock wins a
trip or other comparable prize. Remember
to use all relevant safety precautions
during this activity. Local vendors
can donate the socks and prizes, but
your MWR representative must coordinate
this.
Demonstrate nontoxic cleaning options.
You will need a few basic household
ingredients and some dirty cloth,
metal, and glass (see Appendix D for
directions).
Build a compost pile. You will need
dry leaves, dead weeds, shredded
cardboard, grass clippings, and plants.
Put the ingredients in piles so participants
can add to the recipe (see Appendix
E for directions).
Conduct a tour of an environmental
cleanup site and explain the process.
Continued on bottom of next page.
GO TO GUIDE - ARMY EARTH DAY
Page 7
Army Earth Day Messages
You can use the material below when writing Earth
Day speeches and articles, or when speaking
generally about the Army's environmental program.
"The Army is committed to environmental stewardship
in all actions, and operations."
"The Army is a good steward of the environment."
"Environmental stewardship supports military
readiness and quality of life."
"Sound environmental practices are part of everything
a Soldier does; thus, every day is Earth Day to the
Army."
"The Army restores, preserves, and enhances
resources entrusted to its care by the American
public."
"The Army is a responsible steward of national
cultural and natural resources."
"The Army obeys and enforces all local, state,
and national environmental laws."
"The Army is the steward of approximately 13.6
million acres of land, including 1.3 million acres of
wetlands.
"The Army is committed to saving energy, reducing
solid waste, and generating funds through
aggressive pollution prevention efforts."
"The Army uses relative risk evaluation to ensure that the
most serious sites are cleaned first."
“The Army looks after more than 184 threatened and
endangered species on 79 separate installations.”
“Overall, the Department of Defense has a higher
concentration of threatened and endangered species per
acre than any other federal agency, including the Forest
Service, the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife
Service, or the Bureau of Land Management."
"More than 66,000 Army buildings are over 50 years
old and subject to National Historic Preservation Act.
The Army preserves these buildings in accordance
with applicable federal regulations."
"The Army works closely with public and private institutions
in the United States and around the world to protect
and clean the environment."
"The Army works diligently to find faster, better, and
cheaper ways to clean up the environment. "
"The Army works aggressively to find innovative ways to
prevent pollution and restore the environment."
"The Army leads the military in exploring ways in
which it can preserve biological diversity while
enhancing the military mission."
"The Army is committed to environmental excellence
through stewardship, vigilance, and partnership with the
community."
More Activities (cont’d)
Stage a "Great Balls of Foil" contest in which
schools or other organizations create large balls of
recycled aluminum foil. Display the balls at your event
and weigh or measure them to determine the winner.
Create a display board that tracks a restoration project
from start to finish.
Distribute environmental fact sheets describing
your installation cleanup, conservation, compliance,
and pollution prevention projects.
Army Green is Army Strong
Acknowledges the Past
By remediating Army lands to usable condition,
while preserving and protecting cultural and
historical resources
Engages the Present
By meeting environmental standards, enabling Army
operations, and protecting Soldiers, Families and
communities
Charts the Future
By institutionalizing best practices and use of
technology to ensure future environmental resiliency
U.S. Army Environmental Command
2450 Connell Road, Bldg 2264
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664
Phone: 210-466-1590
Toll-Free: 855-846-3940
E-mail: usarmy.jbsa.aec.mbx@mail.mil
Visit us on the web:
http://aec.army.mil
Create some buzz about Army Earth
Day in your community.
Signage
Customize the Army Earth Day posters
and use as flyers to post on site. Ask
your local partners to post them in their
offices or buildings.
Local media
Issue a news release about your Army
Earth Day event, and get listed in local
community event calendars on air,
online or in print.
Social media
Post a promotional message on your
organization’s Facebook pages. Or
tweet about it on your Twitter feed.
Spread the word about Army Earth Day
Leverage other events
Build on other events planned in your
community including educational presentations,
special collection drives,
recycling competitions and more.
Print advertising
Customize the Army Earth Day poster
to publish in your installation newspaper.
Radio
advertising
Contact your local radio stations about
their requirements for local PSAs.
ARMY EARTH DAY
Publicity Materials
Having a successful Army Earth Day event can largely depend
on getting information about your plans and activities out to
the right audiences. If your event is for the community, you will
want to reach more people than if it is just for the installation
or a local school, but all of these can call for the development
of some type of publicity materials.
The garrison, installation and/or MWR Public Affairs Officer
(PAO) should be part of your planning meetings and will assist
you with determining the types of materials you need and
developing them. However, depending on their other duties
and the scope of your event, the following tips can help you plan what you need, how to get it done
and who should receive it.
The Best Publicity Materials for Your Event
Small Activity for School, Club
or Organization
(Cleanup, Presentation, Planting)
Email, and/or flyer asking for volunteers.
Photography
of activities.
Handouts on environmental tips.
Giveaways – Bookmarks/Coloring
Books.
If school/organization
approves, invite local media to cover
activity (Get approval well in advance)
Article to garrison newspaper.
Event for Installation Soldiers,
Families and Civilians
(Fair, Tour, Presentation, On-Post
Cleanup/Planting)
Email, social media posting and/or
flyer announcing event.
Media release or advisory to garrison
newspaper.
Invite local media to cover activity.
Photography of activities.
Brochures on environmental tips.
Giveaways – Bookmarks/Coloring
Books.
Article to garrison newspaper.
Community-Wide Event
(Fair, Tour, Presentation, Off-Post
Cleanup/Planting)
Notices to mailing list, website posting,
community flyer announcing
event. Media release or advisory to
local media - newspapers, radio, TV.
Invite local media to cover activity.
Photography of activities.
Brochures on environmental tips.
Giveaways – Bookmarks/Coloring
Books.
Article to garrison newspaper.
Follow up with local media who didn’t
attend.
Notifying Your Audience:
Notices of events can range from simple mailers or emails giving information on “What, When,
Where, Why, Who and How.” An announcement through social media or a website can provide
similar information. Media advisories are invitations telling reporters from local newspapers, and
radio and TV stations about the event and giving details that show why the story will be of interest
to their readers/viewers. Media releases put all the information regarding the event into news article
format, making it easy for reporters to use as written or rewrite. Flyers should be eye-catching
as well as brief and to the point, with the main facts (what, where, when) large enough to read
from a distance.
Anything going out to the public or media should be coordinated through your PAO and all notices
should include a means of contacting the PAO or event coordinator for further details.
Army Green is Army Strong
Notices and news releases announcing the event should be distributed at least two weeks before
your event. Flyers should posted at least three weeks before the event. The installation
PAO should arrange any media interviews or attendance at Army Earth Day events.
Sample Initial Release/Notice: (Distribute to generate interest in your event).
"As part of its ongoing commitment to sound environmental stewardship, Army installations
worldwide are joining with their local communities to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Activities
at (installation name) will include an environmental fair on the parade ground parking lot
(address or intersection) from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The fair will feature games, demonstrations and information booths designed to increase environmental
awareness and share ideas for saving energy, cutting water usage and reducing
waste.
Local business along with environmental groups and agencies, including the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, are joining (installation name) for this Earth Day event.
Contact (POC email and phone number) for a complete itinerary of Earth Day activities."
Create an additional release closer to the event highlighting specific activities, times and locations
or send photos and an article on the day of the event to encourage follow-up coverage.
Photography:
Photos are a great way to tell the story of your event, but be aware that not everyone wants
their photo taken or published. Being at your event does not necessarily grant permission to
use someone’s identifiable photograph with a news article for the garrison or other newspaper.
Especially where children are concerned, such as at a school event, be sure you have the
teachers’ and principal’s permission to take photos and clear the photos with them prior to submitting
with an article. Have your photographers get a release from the subject or subject’s
parents for any photos they think could be submitted to a paper or put online. Also have your
Operational Security Officer clear photos being sent our or posted.
Brochures and Other Handouts:
Remember this is Earth Day, so keeping paper use at a minimum should be part of the plan.
However, if there are some key facts you want people to take away from your event, a brochure
or other handout might be help attendees remember those energy-saving tips once they
get home. These items should be brief and to the point, easy to read and visually interesting. A
great idea is have one brochure with several important point from the event displays/
demonstration and a web link or social media site where they can go for more great ideas.
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ARMY EARTH DAY
Building a Solar Box Cooker
What You Need:
Cardboard pizza box (the kind delivered pizza comes in)
Box knife or scissors
Aluminum foil
Clear tape
Plastic wrap (a heavy-duty or freezer zip lock bag will also work)
Black construction paper
Newspapers
Ruler, or wooden spoon
What You Do:
1. Use a box knife or sharp scissors to cut a flap in the lid of the pizza box. Cut along three sides,
leaving about an inch between the sides of the flap and the edges of the lid. Fold this flap out
so that it stands up when the box lid is closed.
2. Cover the inner side of the flap with aluminum foil so that it will reflect rays from the sun. To do
this, tightly wrap foil around the flap, then tape it to the back, or outer side of the flap.
3. Use clear plastic wrap to create an airtight window for sunlight to enter into the box. Do this by
opening the box and taping a double layer of plastic wrap over the opening you made when
you cut the flap in the lid. Leave about an inch of plastic overlap around the sides and tape
each side down securely, sealing out air. If you use a plastic bag, cut out a square big enough
to cover the opening, and tape one layer over the opening.
4. Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper - black absorbs heat. The black surface
is where your food will be set to cook.
5. To insulate your oven so it holds in more heat, roll up sheets of newspaper and place them on
the bottom of the box. Tape them down so that they form a border around the cooking area.
The newspaper rolls should make it so that the lid can still close, but there is a seal inside of
the box, so air cannot escape.
6. The best hours to set up your solar oven are when the sun is high overhead - from 11 am to 3
pm. Take it outside to a sunny spot and adjust the flap until the most sunlight possible is reflecting
off the aluminum foil and onto the plastic-covered window. Use a ruler to prop the flap
at the right angle. You may want to angle the entire box by using a rolled up towel.
7. You can make toast by buttering a slice of bread, or sprinkling cheese on it, then letting the sun
do the rest. Cooking a hot dog or making nachos with chips and cheese are also fun treats to
make in your solar oven! It would also work great to heat up leftovers. So the paper at the bottom
doesn't get dirty, put what you would like to cook on a clear plastic or glass plate. A pie
plate would work well.
To take food out of the oven, open up the lid of the pizza box, and using oven mitts or potholders,
lift the glass dish out of the oven
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ARMY EARTH DAY
Recipes for a Healthy Environment
Have you ever thought about how many chemicals you use every
day? Do you wonder how they may be affecting the environment?
Some disinfectants, cleaners and even air fresheners contain
chemicals that can potentially damage your health, as well as the
environment. However, by substituting chemical with natural
ingredients you can clean up your home, office, clothes, and the
environment.
These Earth-friendly products are made with readily available
ingredients that work as well or, in some cases, better than
traditional cleaners
Just implementing a few of these at a time will go a long way
toward creating a chemical-free house, a safer environment and a
healthier family.
Floor and Rug Cleaners
Ceramic Tile: Clean using a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup
ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. This solution also works well as a general cleaner.
Linoleum/Vinyl Floors:
Polish with a mix of 1 part thick boiled starch with 1 part soap suds. Rub this mixture on
the floor and polish with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
To strip commercial floor wax, pour club soda on the surface, scrub, let soak for a few
minutes and wipe clean.
Wood Floors: Damp-mop with a mild vegetable-oil soap; dry immediately.
Rugs/Carpets
Mixing 1/2 cup dishwashing detergent and 1 pint boiling water.
Cool and whip into a stiff foam with an electric mixer.
Apply the solution to 4-by-4-foot sections with a damp sponge.
Wipe off the suds and rinse with a solution of 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water,
changing the rinse water frequently.
Clean your rug on a dry, warm day so you can open the windows to facilitate drying.
Spot Remover
Butter, Coffee, Gravy, or Chocolate Stains: Scrape off or sponge up as much of the spot as
possible. Then dab with a cloth dampened in a mixture of 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1
quart cold water.
Grease Spots:
Apply a paste of cornstarch and water.
Cover with baking soda or cornmeal, let dry, and brush off.
Scrub the spot with toothpaste.
On rugs, sprinkle dry cornstarch on the spot and vacuum.
Army Green is Army Strong
Furniture Polish
Use olive oil, lemon oil, beeswax, or a mixture of bees wax and olive oil. A pint mineral, vegetable, or
olive oil combined with 2 teaspoons lemon oil in a spray bottle also works.
Metal Polish
Silver:
Place the silver in an aluminum or enameled pan lined on the bottom with aluminum foil.
Fill with enough water to cover the silver.
Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt.
Boil for 3 minutes.
Remove the silver, wash in soapy water, and polish.
Do not use this method for silver jewelry or flatware with hollow handles.
Brass: Scrub with Worcestershire sauce or toothpaste; or apply tomato ketchup, let sit, and remove
when dry. Or, clean it with water in which onions have been boiled.
Copper: Apply white vinegar and salt, and rub.
Brass or Copper: Use a paste of lemon juice and salt.
Glass Cleaner Pour any of these mixtures into a spray bottle. Spray on and wipe off.
3 tablespoons ammonia, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 3/4 cup water.
1 quart water with 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or rubbing alcohol.
Oven Cleaner Commercial oven cleaners usually contain lye, which is extremely toxic.
Instead:
Apply a paste of water and baking soda to the spot, then scrub it with steel wool. (Be careful not to
get any of the mixture on the heating elements.)
Sprinkle salt on spills while they are warm and scrub them off.
Drain Cleaner Prevent drain clogs by covering drains with screens to keep out grease, hair, and food
scraps. If blockage does occur:
Pour 1 cup each. baking soda, salt and white vinegar down the drain. Wait 15 minutes and flush
with boiling water.
The less-determined can toss a handful of baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain, cover
tightly for one minute. Rinse with hot water.
Use a plumber's snake or plunger on tough clogs.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup chlorine bleach into the bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes and scrub clean.
Scrub with a solution of 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon of water.
Disinfectant and Germicide
Soapy water works well in place of a disinfectant.
Air Freshener/Deodorizer
Air fresheners do not really freshen air, they diminish your sense of smell with oil or other chemical so
you no longer smell the offensive odor. Instead, try vinegar or lemon juice in a spray bottle, or set small
dishes of vinegar, lemon juice or baking soda around the house. A cotton ball soaked in pure vanilla
will overpower odors in the car or refrigerator. Grind lemons in the garbage disposal for a fresher smell.
ARMY EARTH DAY
Composting Yard Waste
What is it?
Composting is a natural process, basically decomposition or
rotting, that converts organic waste - leaves, grass clippings,
small twigs and most kitchen scraps - into a dark, crumbly
material that makes a rich soil additive. The waste is broken
down by naturally occurring microorganisms into a product
suitable for mulching, fertilizing or conditioning soil.
Why Compost?
Adding compost to soil helps it retain moisture and makes soil
easier to till. Plants grow better because the soil has more
nutrients, resulting in less need for chemical fertilizers. More
importantly, it keeps waste out of landfills and repurposes them in a beneficial way.
Getting Started - The Container
While starting a compost pile is more involved than just raking leaves into a pile, the whole project
is fairly simple and generally can produce a good batch of compost every three to four week.
Compost can be made almost anywhere. A bin isn’t necessary. An area to pile leaves and grass
clippings together will do, but that can be messy and unattractive. Wooden stakes and chicken
wire can be used for a simple compost bin. Inexpensive collapsible plastic bins are sold at most
garden stores and are good for military families who move frequently.
A good, permanent bin is a sturdy wooden box, approximately three feet by three feet. It should
have a cover and a large side opening that provides a place to stir the compost and to remove it.
After deciding on a compost container, choose a level spot large enough to accommodate it.
It
should be near a water source, cleared of grass or other vegetation, and preferably out of direct
sunlight and away from the house. The compost bin works best if it is off the ground as this allows
better ventilation. A wooden palette or logs covered by chicken wire make good base for the bin.
Getting Started - Ingredients
The four most important things to remember in composting are green, brown, water and air.
Bring together green ingredients (fresh grass clippings, weeds, kitchen scraps, etc.) and
Brown ingredients (dry leaves, hay, straw, wood chips, etc.)
Add water to keep this mixture damp but not soggy. (It should maintain the consistency of a
squeezed-out sponge.)
Turn the pile every few days to mix old and layers, and to add enough air for the microorganisms
to thrive. (Burying a perforated pipe in the pile will supply a constant stream of fresh air.)
The green ingredients supply nitrogen, while the brown ones supply carbon, producing an ideal
diet for the microorganisms. Add successive layers of this organic material if possible, but during
seasons when dry, brown materials are not available, compost may still be made with only wet,
green plant material.
Army Green is Army Strong
Composting Tips
Branches and other debris should be chipped before being added to a compost bin to
accelerate decomposition. If a large quantity of chipped wood is added to the compost,
add a small amount of fertilizer to increase the level of nitrogen.
Chopping large material into smaller pieces, keeping the pile moist, and frequently turning
the pile can speed up the composting process. The compost pile should begin cooking
once it is established and should feel warm to the touch. A carefully maintained compost
pile can turn waste into compost in as little as four to six weeks.
What Can and Can't Be Composted?
Most organic materials are acceptable for use as compost, including grass clippings,
leaves, coffee grounds and filters, shredded woody yard waste and sawdust, wool and
cotton rags, and manure from herbivorous animals, such as cows, horses, sheep and
chickens. Many foods can be composted as well, but meats, grease and dairy products
should be omitted because they cause odors and attract pests.
Non-organic materials, such as styrofoam, metal, plastic, and charcoal or coal ashes are
not suitable for composting. Other materials that should not be composted are diseased
plants, food waste that may attract pests, noxious weeds, and pet wastes, which may
contain disease.
The Only Option for Yard Waste
According to the EPA, Americans generated about 251 million tons of trash and recycled
and composted almost 87 million tons of this material. Reducing our waste is important a
we are rapidly filling our nation's landfills, and new sites are difficult to create because of
environmental requirements and community objections. Currently there are 23 states that
ban some fashion of organics disposal in landfills, mostly leaves, grass and other yard
debris. Composting in your backyard recycles wastes that might otherwise go to landfills.
SYMPTOMS
Bad Odor
Dry center
Damp and Warm
Damp, sweet-smelling
but not warm
PROBLEM
Not enough air
Not enough water
Pile is too small
Lack of nitrogen
SOLUTION
Turn the pile
Add water while turning the pile
Add more material
to center of pile
Mix in a nitrogen source
(wet, green material)
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