Building our Sustainable Girl Scout Service and Business Center
The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta shot the podcast for environmental education on a beautiful November afternoon. The podcast tour of the new Girl Scout Service and Business Center will be available to tours in the spring of 2010. Plan to bring your group for a visit and some environmental education as well.
Podcast for Green Inititative and LEED Certification
Silver LEED Certification: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project at Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s Business Center in Mableton has been awarded a Silver certification from U.S. Green Building Council. The Council's building design and construction achieved all 36 points applied out of which only 33 were required. A video presentation about the LEED project and building construction will soon be available on this page. A commemorative plaque will also be presented in the near future.
Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project
In 2012, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the United States. To help mark this milestone, Girl Scouts are harnessing the power of the Movement by engaging in a nationwide, annual, signature community action project, focused on having a significant impact on one contemporary community issue—the environment!
Join Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta as we make a huge impact on the environment!
Girls can become advocates for greener schools and community areas—how they choose to do it is up to them! Our goal: We want every Girl Scout in our council to become “Forever Green” by learning about one or more of the environmental focus areas; then using their knowledge to plan and lead an environmental action project to bring about sustainable change in their school or community!
Focus areas and sample projects:
Air quality: Creating no-idling zones, replacing toxic art supplies and cleansers, planting trees and adding indoor plants
Energy conservation:
Educate about alternative fuels and campaign to reduce energy usage, and/or have people sign a pledge to reduce their energy consumption, use a Kill A Watt tool to measure the energy usage of appliances and replace inefficient appliances
Green space: Plant native trees, shrubs and flowers, clean up trash in a local park or green space at your school, start community or school vegetable gardens
Waste management: Composting, recycling, implementing waste-free lunches, eliminating junk mail
Water quality: Installing rain barrels, monitoring local water bodies, installing low flow faucets and toilets
Discover
Any Girl Scout troop can create a Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project. The project can also be incorporated into a Girl Scout Bronze, Silver or Gold Award project. Start by learning more about one of the focus areas in your school and community and determine how you can make an impact. Check out the “How To” guide below or click on any of the links to learn more!
Connect
Find out what can be done in your school or community that will make a difference that your troop/girl can achieve by April 30, 2010. Contact your local program specialist for help connecting with community members, environmental experts and school officials.
Take Action
Help girls as they decide on a project and then apply! The project must be completed by April 30, 2010 (this deadline will not affect projects that are ongoing).
Get started today by downloading the project guide and start to help your girls create lasting change in their school and community. The booklet contains information and resources on projects to implement as well as information on how to measure the environmental impact of each project.
Once you've decided, it's important to tell us about it! Register your project by clicking here. An application must be turned in before the start of the project to participate in The Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project.
Girl Scouts not only wear green, they go green!
11Alive's Donna Lowry (Girl Scout alumna) explains the new Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta initiative: Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project. Click the picture to view the segment!
Girl Scouts have always been green, but now we have a Green Team!
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta has recently been chosen as one of 30 Girl Scout organizations to pilot Girl Scouts of the USA’s Forever Green Community Action Project.
The council was chosen because of the environmental education program we created during the construction of our new home at Timber Ridge. Girl Scouts from the girl-led Green Team developed programming around the sustainability of our new home which is on schedule to achieve a Silver LEED Certification. The programs the Green Team created include an environmental patch, which Girl Scouts can earn while learning about environmental responsibilities, and an educational podcast virtual tour taken on the site of the new building that will highlight the environmentally friendly measures used during construction.
The Green Team is just one more way Girl Scouts are making the world a better place!
Green program events for all ages!
Check out these cool environmentally friendly events coming up soon for all aged Girl Scouts:
Get Global - April 10, 2010 - Are you someone who wants to make a difference in the world? Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 8-12 only) are invited to discover and celebrate the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts 100th anniversary while learning about the global issues impacting teens today. Learn how you can be an advocate for one of WAGGGS issues in your own neighborhood. We are looking for inquisitive and fun girls from throughout Georgia to attend. Your fee includes food and supplies.
Third Annual Southern Poly Earth Day Family Fair - April 24, 2010 - All Girl Scouts are invited to bring family and celebrate Earth Day on the campus of Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta. Discover a fun-filled and educational day with a focus on science, technology and the environment. Each registered Girl Scout will receive an event patch and will have access to multiple hands-on activities led by Southern Poly professors. There will be lots to do and see for accompanying family members too.
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is taking steps toward becoming more environmentally sustainable
