And according to the EPA, Americans throw away more than 86,000 tons of disposable alkaline batteries each year — which if placed end-to-end “would circle the world at least six times.” What can we do? Using rechargeable batteries can help reduce the amount of batteries that are thrown away. Rechargeable batteries don’t last forever, but they can be recharged 500 to 1000 times. This means that each rechargeable battery can potentially save 499 disposable batteries from being thrown away! In the IT Office, we buy a lot of batteries to help support the many devices on Stone Ridge’s campus – and we are committed to switching completely to rechargeable batteries this year. We started the Battery Bar – a place for teachers and staff who need a charged-up battery to come by and grab one, and return used-up rechargeable batteries […]
Stone Ridge Bikes!
Each year, June 3 is UN World Bike Day – a day dedicated by the UN to celebrating bicycles and biking! “World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation.” –United Nations Montgomery County hopes that biking will become a daily means of transportation that can help achieve local sustainability goals and improve our lives and health. Stone Ridge 5th graders celebrated World Bike Day by learning about biking around the world and bike safety, and practicing bike maintenance and tuning. In the sunny late morning, they took to Rock Creek Trail for a 5-mile group bike ride.
Summer CampUs is for Nature Lovers
Stone Ridge Summer CampUs encourages all campers to “choose their own adventure” for the summer. Often this means campers take camp classes that embrace the natural beauty of our own campus (Eco Art & Nature’s Crafts) as well as classes that take advantage of our local Rock Creek Park and surrounding natural areas (Wilderness Survival Camp/Adventure Camps). Campers who are interested in sustainability can feed their interests by taking classes such as Solar Power Playhouse and Gator Bike Shop. Campers who are interested in both engineering and nature are taking the class “STEM in the Wild”. Upper School students have the opportunity to take “Environmental Field Studies” in which they will conduct studies to look at wildlife species populations, stream water quality, soil analysis, and more, to learn how humans interact with their environment both positively and negatively.
Summer Environmental Field Studies
Each summer, Stone Ridge Environmental Sciences teacher Casey Robertson brings her classroom outdoors for Stone Ridge’s 3-week Environmental Field Studies program. Any high schoolers looking to spend some time outside learning about the environment, wildlife, and habitats can apply for this Summer CampUs experience. In this 3-week lab and field studies based course, students conduct hands-on activities to look at wildlife species populations, stream water quality, soil analysis, and more! Some past activities have included banding baby ospreys, restoring wetlands, creating track plates, setting wildlife cameras, and tracking down box turtles with GPS! No previous biology or environmental science experience required – all it takes is an enthusiasm for life and an appreciation of the natural world!
Recycle
Learn about recycling hard-to-recycle items at terracycle.com Battery recycling Did you know you can recycle your household batteries? We are working on providing collection sites for batteries at Stone Ridge, but in the meantime, you can learn about proper recycling and disposal of your batteries in Montgomery County Crayon recycling Reduce carbon while driving Reduce the time you allow your car to idle
Choose Vegan
Add some vegan meals to your menu! Learn about the environmental (and health!) benefits of a plant-based diet by watching documentaries such as Vegucated and Forks Over Knives. Did you know that just one vegan meal per week saves water, reduces greenhouse gases, and works toward reducing pollution related to animal agriculture? Commit to trying one (or more!) vegan meals a week. Try a Plant-based Recipe! It can be as easy as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or you can branch out with some new recipes and ideas from blogs like: Minimalist Baker Chocolate Covered Katie The Vegan 8 Oh She Glows Loving It Vegan Plant Based Juniors and many, many more… This week, try making 12 minute fried rice from kitchentreaty.com (don’t forget to press the moisture out of your tofu!)
Minimize Plastic
When we use and throw away less plastic, we keep it out of the oceans and rivers You can… Use paper straws and reusable bags Make your own snacks and treats Take the National Geographic plastics pledge Throw a plastic free party!
Where does it go? SR recycling & compost
Sorting waste into the correct bin helps to keep recyclable and compostable material out of landfills. Preventing waste from getting to landfills, by finding ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, or rot (compost) is the most effective way to achieve zero waste.
The Mater Center: LEED Silver
Stone Ridge’s new Mater Center is a LEED Silver building!
LEED certification is a measure of the “greenness” of building, showing that it is healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving, and built for sustainability.