Countywide : ‘Earth’ Program to Get National Award

A consortium of 13 public and private organizations will receive a presidential award next month for an environmental program now used by almost 100 schools in Ventura County.

The award, the Environmental and Conservation Challenge Award, will recognize the Southern California Environmental Education Consortium, which developed the curriculum, entitled “Think Earth.”

The program, used by kindergarten through third-grade teachers, instructs children in being responsible for the quality of the air, water and land. They learn how to conserve natural resources, recycle to avoid waste and minimize pollution.

At the kindergarten level, children might learn the importance of trees and why they should not litter. As the program advances, they study sources of energy and such simple things as turning off lights.

They also learn about alternative modes of transportation.

Allison Maiers, education specialist with the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, said a curriculum for fourth- through sixth-grade students will be available in January.

The district is one of the consortium members, along with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.

The consortium spent $325,000 to develop the curriculum, which includes an animated video, a teacher’s guide, student exercises, posters and illustrated story cards.

The program was introduced in 1991 and has been offered free to schools in Southern California.

The program is also available to schools outside Southern California at a cost of $80, and so far it has reached about 1 million students nationwide, consortium officials said.

The presidential medal will be presented in Washington.

It is one of nine medals being presented nationwide to individuals and organizations for environmental achievements.