Ecosystems Research Division

The Ecosystems Research Division (ERD) in Athens, Georgia has been a partner-in-education with the 4th Street Elementary School in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia for over 15 years.  The First Partnership Agreement was signed by the ERD Director, Dr. Rosemarie Russo, and the children and staff of the school in 1990.  A nature trail was created on the grounds of the school and over the years, Earth Day was observed, including the creation and renovation of a butterfly garden.  Other activities have included the creation of an "Outdoor Classroom" and Christmas season donations of cash and gifts to school-recommended needy families.

A "Reading Buddies" activity was added in 2004 and in 2005, the EPA partnership was reinvigorated.  Meetings with four key teachers followed; then at the 4th Street School 2006 Earth Day assembly, Dr. Eric Weber, the Acting Director of ERD, and Brenda Kitchens, ERD Environmental Education Coordinator, spoke to the students about their roles as consumers and about EPA.  Students were given examples of what they can do daily to help reduce man's demands on the environment.  In addition, the Partnership Agreement between the USEPA ERD, Athens, Georgia and the 4th Street Elementary School in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, was resigned.  The Athens-Clarke County Recycling Coordinator, Suki Jensen, presented an introduction to recycling as an official kick-off for Fourth Street's newly initiated recycling plan.

Future plans include establishing mentors and reading buddies, classroom visitors by ERD scientists to teach science lessons and continued Earth Day celebrations.

Please contact Brenda Kitchens, 706-355-8103, for additional information.

Click here for ERD educational Lesson Plan, Plants Eat Bad Chemicals .

Other links:

Information and resources for students, teachers, and children (ages 5-12) are provided at the EPA Environmental Education Center.

Environmental Education in Georgia news.