Environmental Corps Organizing Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow

What is ECO-ACT?

ECO-ACT (Environmental Corps Organizing for a Cleaner Tomorrow) is a student-directed environmental club project, developed and sponsored by the Newark Conservancy.

ECO-ACT clubs are formed, with the assistance of the Conservancy, in schools and neighborhoods. At its core, ECO-ACT is an environmental program designed specifically for students in grades 4-12. ECO-ACT acknowledges the fact that students can make a tremendous difference in their immediate environment, and that they need to learn the skills necessary for creating change.

What Are ECO-ACT Club Objectives?

Club members will gain enhanced knowledge of environmental issues and concerns. They will learn and appreciate the value of their environment, and take the initiative to try and change the world around them. Members' confidence, self-esteem, and creative problem solving skills will increase and develop. Youth will gain a sense of empowerment for positive change, and responsiveness to the needs of the neighborhood and school/group of which they are a part.

What Do ECO-ACT Members Do?

ECO-ACT members choose environmental topics of interest to them and narrow down to one that they will work on throughout the year. They will learn how to plan and carry out an environmental audit, and to interpret the results. Then, they learn to create action plans, and how to implement them. ECO-ACT club members learn that they can make positive change happen. The skills and experience derived from club participation will be there to last students a lifetime.

Members learn to:

What Do I Need To Start an ECO-ACT Club?

The Greater Newark Conservancy will need a commitment from the school to students in the after-school program for at least one year. No experience is needed on the part of the club teacher, but we would like to see an interest in environmental issues. A group of students between 4th and 12th grade should be organized by a enthusiastic teacher or parent with the time to run regular meetings.

We suggest a consistent meeting schedule to foster ongoing youth participation in the club. Meetings should be fun but as productive as possible. ? are important, such as plans for fundraising the club's way to a field trip. Activities should be relevant to environmental action, and enjoyable for the whole group.

What Will the Greater Newark Conservancy Provide?

The Conservancy will provide a packet with sample lessons and a year long itinerary as a general guideline as well as long-term support and advice for students and teachers. We offer books and videos on loan, curriculum materials, and activity fundraising kits. While we can't run a club entirely, we offer visits from our staff for special activities.

 

Greater Newark Conservancy, 303-9 Washington Street, 5th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102 Tel: 973.642.4646
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