programs 
Environmental Education
Over 20 years ago, Residents committed to supporting environmental education in Port Washington’s schools. Each year we fund projects that help students appreciate the fragility of our ecosystem and hone the skills and mind-set essential to sustainable living.
Residents is fortunate and proud to have Patti Wood, Executive Director of Grassroots Environmental Education, serving as our VP of Environmental Ed. Ms. Wood has created special programs that educate students about the links between common environmental exposures and human health, including: “Gifts From The Earth” (air, water, sun, soil, wind), “I’ll have the Plastic Fish Special” (the everyday use of plastic) and “Conserve and Protect our Water” (study of Long Island aquifer).
Residents works closely with faculty and administrators to create a spiral of learning [link to printout of school programs here] that starts in elementary school and builds through the high school years. Integrated with the district curriculum to bring book knowledge to life, the programs explore such key topics as recycling, natural habitats, sustainability and environmental health.
Residents’ Environmental Education Committee also:
- Lead a k-5 teacher development workshop fall of 2008, spring of 2009 and fall of 2009
- Launched an expanded district wide recycling program that boasts bins in each k-12 classroom for paper and plastics.
- Plans ongoing Schreiber Tree Hugger clean ups and Earth Day events
- Hosted a topical community forum at the Port Washington Public Library: “The State of the Long Island Aquifer”