The Pennsylvania-based GreenTreks Network is a non-profit group long recognized for its innovative use of online video and web programming talent for environmental education and messaging and the projects it undertook in 2007 were no exceptions.

Here’s just a taste of what they did this past year.

Connecting Curriculum to Kids’ Everyday Worlds: Teachers recognize the power of visual storytelling and have used our television programs in their classrooms over the years because they are local, relevant, and take a pro-active approach.

We expected the introduction of environment and ecology standards to increase interest, but conversations with curriculum developers revealed that the recent emphasis on standardized testing left teachers with less time for innovation than ever. In response, we developed EcoExpress.

Teachers recognize the power of visual storytelling and have used our television programs in their classrooms over the years because they are local, relevant, and take a pro-active approach.

We expected the introduction of environment and ecology standards to increase interest, but conversations with curriculum developers revealed that the recent emphasis on standardized testing left teachers with less time for innovation than ever. In response, we developed EcoExpress.

This exciting teacher’s resource center takes the best programs from our library and culls them into subject-specific video shorts, aligns them with curriculum standards, lesson plans, and community based service learning projects, and makes them available online.

Feedback from a beta test has been resoundingly positive and we’re hoping to release the fully functional PA edition in 2008. Our long term plan is to expand into other states, with local stories that speak to each region’s curriculum needs.

This exciting teacher’s resource center takes the best programs from our library and culls them into subject-specific video shorts, aligns them with curriculum standards, lesson plans, and community based service learning projects, and makes them available online.

Feedback from a beta test has been resoundingly positive and we’re hoping to release the fully functional PA edition in 2008. Our long term plan is to expand into other states, with local stories that speak to each region’s curriculum needs.

Natural Heroes/Storytelling: We take pride in our award-winning storytelling ability, but we’re just as proud of the collaborations that have provided venues for others with lessons to share and stories to tell.

The Natural Heroes series we co-produce with California-based KRCB-TV has given many independent filmmakers exposure they would have had a hard time achieving alone. Season Two of the “eco-film festival for television” won a regional Emmy Award, and the third season was released in September.

On a local level, our mentoring program at Green Woods Charter School led to a “final exam” during which students presented multimedia stories about the personal lessons they learned in the woods.

And the web-based American Water Hydro School gives younger children the chance to share their personal connection to water through their own pictures and words.

Strategies for On-the-Ground Change: How best to handle runoff has long been a subject of debate in Pennsylvania, and while last January’s release of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Stormwater BMP Manual was intended to provide clarity, many organizations working on the issue fear the massive technical document is so overwhelming that it won’t be put into use.

Our work with a broad array of partners has resulted in an innovative program to help municipalities, engineers, and developers understand their roles and responsibilities in stormwater management—and to help them see the many benefits and opportunities of “doing it right.”

StormwaterPA will debut in 2008 with a media rich web site, video series, and multi-faceted outreach campaign.

Other Projects: We’ve continued our work with all kinds of organizations throughout the year. Of special note:

· a video making the case for the creation of the Pennypack Greenway (Greenspace Alliance);

· a video series on using technology to connect citizens with government (CT United Way);

· a video celebration of America’s coastlines (Assn. of National Estuary Programs); and

· website strategy and development to meet a range of education and advocacy goals (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, GreenWoods Charter School, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EAC Network, and more.)

To talk about a project for your organization or to support the GreenTreks Network, contact Barry Lewis, GreenTreks Network at 215-545-5811 or send email to: BLewis@Greentreks.org .

12/28/2007