programs Environmental Education


For over 20 years, Residents has been committed to bringing environmental education into Port Washington’s schools to deepen student understanding of the environment and the role they can play in protecting it.  With the assistance of a wide range of local and national environmental educators, Residents has created programs that start in first grade and build through the high school years that explore such key topics as recycling, natural habitats, sustainability and environmental health. 

Existing Elementary school programs are integrated into the curriculum and cover a wide range of environmental topics including gifts from the earth, being a friend to trees, pond studies, our local habitat and environmental history and our unique relationship with water and conservation on our peninsula.

This year, Residents will be launching an innovative curriculum extension called the Environmental Passport Program.  The program is funded with a grant from the Port Washington-based Jaggar Foundation.  Set to debut in Spring 2012, elementary school students will each receive a passport custom tailored to the grade level environmental-education programs taught in school.  Designed as a take-away, the passports encourage students to act as environmental advocates and educators at home and in the community. The students who complete three passport activities will be recognized as Green Team Leaders and will have the opportunity to work with Residents during the 2012-13 school year as ambassadors, helping with both in-school and community wide environmental stewardship initiatives. 

In the Middle and High School, environmental programs are currently delivered on demand to aid educators with specific environmental topics. We are working with both schools to create pilot programs aligned with the curriculum to continue to inform and educate our students on how they can make a difference in the upper grades.

Here is a list of environmental education programs by grade:


1st Grade “Gifts from the Earth”
This program introduces our youngest children to some of the gifts that the earth gives us—- air, water, soil, sun and wind—-and what we can do as a community to take the best care of them

2nd Grade “Be a Friend to Trees”
Building on “Gifts from the Earth”, this program explains the wonderful gifts trees provide the earth, which includes a lesson on photosynthesis.  The importance of recycling as a way to save trees is discussed.

3rd Grade “Pond Study”
A field trip to Baxter Pond where students become active “environmentalists,” learning about the pond’s ecosystem.  Students learn and see firsthand why they need to be so diligent with recycling and minimizing toxins in our waters. 

4th Grade “All of Port’s a Classroom”
Students explore Port Washington’s living environment and physical setting through multiple programs.  They will experience a live Osprey and Owl show, tour the Sands Point and Guggenheim Preserves with Geologist and Naturalist Tour Guides, learn about local bird habitat and learn the history of the Port Washington Sand Miners.  This program gives students a deeper connection with our town, and preserving its future while building on their environmental knowledge.

5th Grade “Aquifer Program”
Students get into a more sophisticated program that explores the origins of their drinking water.  Students learn basic hydrogeology and the process by which pollutants can contaminate water supplies.  Also discussed are the steps individuals, families and communities can take to reduce water use. 

Weber “How Green is Port Washington”
Tying in with sixth grade ecology curriculum, Residents speaks to students about local initiatives to increase sustainability on the peninsula including: the dredging of Mill Pond, clean up of Sheets Creek, recycling and water conservation.


Schreiber “Tree Hugger Earth Day Celebration”
Schreiber students put their environmental expertise to work creating an Earth Day community event in partnership with Residents that entertains, educates and celebrates Planet Port Washington. 

Parents/Community
Throughout the year, Residents presents a series of community forums and programs that create a synergy between environmental education in the classroom and environmental issues facing the community.  Families gain and share knowledge together.