Hello, hellooooooooo!
It's been sometime since we have posted! Now, it's time to catch up! Houston's weather has been the usual, inhabitants just need to be sure to wear wardrobe you may alter throughout the day to fit the changing conditions! Houston has been warming up and students within the East End have been keeping busy! A number of task and projects have been underway both at Lantrip Elementary and Austin High School, a spark has ignited in the East End and the community is Unifying, Restoring and Conserving the East End! Many of the neighboring schools have taken interest and are rallying up their green armies on their campuses! Soon, Green Ambassadors from Austin High School and Eastwood Academy will be leading the way assisting partnered schools with GreenSchools! initiatives as they implement projects and conduct site investigations on their campuses. A total of 15 East End students have been Project Learning Tree Certified and trained, and will soon be sharing what they have gained with their community!
Below are images of the March 15, 2014 training held at Stephen F. Austin High School, a GreenSchool! with an active green student body who are committed to action! Students, educators, volunteers and community leaders came together for an 8+ hour workshops revolving environmental education. Project Learning Tree provides key curriculum which engages students outside and provides resources to educators such as lesson plans and activities. Many teachers take advantage of the ideals presented and mend and bend according to their current class lessons or topics which may arise according to their subject. The great thing about the curriculum is the creativity and flexibility of the range of topics available. During the training, the Green Ambassadors and community leaders sketched their campuses and sites of interest in which they desire to build and collaborate with the community. Visions were shared and brainstorming took place. Shaping your environment with community collaboration will foster unity.
Checkout the video on the left to fully understand the ultimate impact in which Project Learning Tree curriculum and Greenschools! can impact a school's culture, boosting up standardized test scores and uniting the community through civil engagement.
Austin High are on a free or reduced lunch program. In attendance, were representatives from Austin High School, Eastwood Academy, Harbach-Ripley Community Center and Charter School, Edison Middle School, KIPP Intrepid Middle School, Conroe High School and Last Organic Outpost. Many ideas were shared a few are:
PBS Published: Oct 19, 2012A Green Ribbon Award winning school panel reveals how they won the prestigious national award. They share activities for students, best practices for reducing our environmental impact, how to develop community partnerships, and the lifelong benefits of creating an academic environmental education a program that improves our health and protects our earth.
This is the group to talk to, they wish to unite the community through greening efforts and are looking for partners to work with, got a shovel? Have a fruit tree to plant, have a tree you wish to donate? Wish to meet and discuss the possibilities of collaboration? The East End Greenbelt, wishes to restore the East End with greening efforts which empowers a sustainable resilient lifestyle. Currently, many in the East End lack access to local fresh foods. As stated earlier, 85% students of
- Positive use of vacant lots and former industrial sites
- Community empowerment workshops
- Anti-dumping solutions
- Sharing of resources
- Student employment opportunities
- A central hub in the community (office in a school or at a partner site)
- More community gardens, fruit trees and outdoor classrooms: Education and food!
- Community engagement activities and projects
- Educational greenspace for families, outdoor learning and enjoyment
- Safety to walk and bicycle; more trails
- More greenspace for native plants, wildlife habitat and spiritual connection
- Reduction in street litter and more recycling
We also congratulate our three recipients of the Nature Explore outdoor classroom: Cage Elementary, Lantrip Elementary and Monarch School. Nature Explore is a collaborative program of Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, two national non-profit organizations. Grounded in over a decade of research, Nature Explore Classrooms are dynamic, outdoor, nature-based play and learning spaces. Research shows the many physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits children gain from spending time in nature.
Official Blog for Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge:
http://www.friendsnfgtblog.blogspot.com/
East End Greenbelt Website:
http://www.eastendgreenbelt.com/
Facebook East End Greenbelt:
https://www.facebook.com/EastEndGreenbelt?ref=hl
DON'T FORGET! ;)
We encourage you to see how busy we have been and follow our blogs and pages:Official Blog for Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge:
http://www.friendsnfgtblog.blogspot.com/
East End Greenbelt Website:
http://www.eastendgreenbelt.com/
Facebook East End Greenbelt:
https://www.facebook.com/EastEndGreenbelt?ref=hl
To the left is an image from one of the random days in which students from Austin High School covered up the fruit trees as the potential threat of frost and freezing temperatures approached Houston. Austin High School is fortunate to have a strong team of students who tend to the care of the trees and the campus grounds. On Lockwood, Austin's tennis court has a total of sixteen diverse set of tress for public access. The students were passionate in establishing the trees in an area accessed by the public. Currently, 85% percent of the students at Austin High School are on reduced lunch. The installation of the fruit trees is to aid in the movement to create a resilient sustainable community in the East End.
In fact, when the neighbors walk through the sidewalk and find us working outside, a frequent response is the concern of people deciding to harvest some the fruit for themselves. We often respond to the hope that them too will join on the harvest for themselves. But of course, take only what is needed. Sharing is caring! ;) .......back to the photo.....our neighbors are delighted when they hear this, excited to be able to have access to such fresh resources! Citrus are sensitive to freezing temperatures and covering them up like a baby is necessary. We wrapped the trees with canvas sheets, which can be found in most major home improvements stores, and the trees turned out just fine! Austin students have and continue to commit countless hours of dedication and commitment insuring the well-being of the fruit trees awarded by The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. It's a great pleasure working with the students from Austin High School, the students see the campus as their second home and take pride in the work they physically do with their hands.
Nature's Way Resources' contribution to the project has proved beneficial to many microorganisms for the earth. You just have to brush back the mulch a bit to see the life it provides. Have a look at the video below, it was captured on one of the days we went out to work in the garden. You will see critters thriving such as the famous rolly pollies and earth worms and so far the balance has been working well. Mulch aids in moderating the fluctuation of temperature, so the temperature is consistent. It also retains moister, creating conditions for rolly pollies to thrive, and to play with. Think of mulch as a blanket, keeping the earth cozy and healthy. Have a look at the video we
captured below, it's a pretty neat site to observe, you get to witness a city of critters!
What exactly is diversity and how do you establish it?
.........luckily our garden has a bit of diversity to show you!....
We have a number of critters in our garden, here are some little toads which take housing in damp areas in the courtyard. We came across this little group of toads while working on a few projects. We fell in love and decided to go ahead and take advantage of them, we made them pose for the camera, lol! Next thing you know, we had an ecophotoshoot going on with our new models! At the end of it, we were able to get some interesting shots. Above is an image of a tadpole, which at times can be found in our pond maturing to adulthood.
Checkout the video below by Texas Park and Wildlife concerning Houston's Toads in 2009. The Houston Toad was one of the first listed as an endangered species. According to the video, 2,000 are left and extents to increase the population are underway. Checkout the video below to fully understand the full impact of human interactions with the environment, and the role we can play in the conservation of habitat. Video Title: Houston Toad in Trouble - Texas Parks and Wildlife. Description: Bastrop county, southeast of Austin, supports the largest population of Houston toads found anywhere. Scientists are working with the Houston Zoo to try to save the Houston Toad from extinction. For more information, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/...
The Lovely Monarchs! Friends of Austin!
One of the favorite wonders to capture on camera in the garden is the metamorphosis of the Monarch butterfly. In current news this year, Mexico, US and Canada are working together to stop the decline of the butterfly population. The Native Plant Society of Texas funds projects which wish to create or update current gardens/stopping points for monarchs to thrive. For information about this particular grant, visit: http://npsot.org/wp/monarchs/ Below are some great videos relating to the monarch butterflies, bookmark or something, but be sure to watch! :)
To see the metamorphosis process. Checkout the video to the left. Video Title: Complete Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly Description: The entire lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly from a tiny caterpillar hatching from an egg on a Milkweed leaf through metamorphosis to become a glorious adult butterfly. Filmed utilizing high powered microscopic cameras and time-lapse photography. Produced for the Chicago Nature Museum in Chicago, IL......Did you get to see it? The video is super neat, we have noticed Monarchs depositing eggs on the milkweed in the garden. We are excited to see what may come from it!
Checkout the video to the left to get a full grasp of the life cycle and journey of the Monarch butterfly. Thanks to the planting of Milkweed, they continue to thrive. Imagine, the potential the Monarch butterfly may have in the entire East End! Video Title: Monarch Butterflies Migration Google Earth TourPublished on Apr 26, 2013. Description: A story about the migration of the eastern population of monarch butterflies in North America, and the people that help them out along the way. This Google Earth Tour was produced by Atlantic Public Media ( http:// www.atlantic.org) in cooperation with the Encyclopedia of Life (http:// www.eol.org) Learning + Education group located at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. Producers: Eduardo Garcia-Milagros & Ari Daniel Shapiro
The Permaculture Rabbit Hole
Our permaculture journey has been an interesting adventure down a rabbit hole deep with knowledge and information. As you continue to witness and observe the garden throughout the year, you gain a better understanding of the flow of energy and life. Every creature and living organism has a flow of energy which is weaved as a whole. Practicing and strengthening one's observation skills, develops an understanding of such perceptions.
We are in a new time era, were the human consciousness is developing into a higher level of understanding. Our existence and role we choose to engage is being challenged on a daily bases. In most recent news, the United Nations is pushing for the world-wide community to create a sustainable lifestyle, growing one's food is empowerment of independence. East End students desire to create a sustainable and resilient community and have been proactive in creating and establishing partnerships which are
backed by a positive supporting environment.
Students are also interested in restoring and conversing the historical East End.
Students are also interested in restoring and conversing the historical East End.
Design Principles of Permaculture
Observe & Interact
Catch and Store Energy
Obtain a Yield
Apply Self Regulation & Accept Feedback
Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services
Produce No Waste
Design From Patterns to Details
Integrate Rather Then Segregate
Use Small & Slow Solutions
Use & Value Diversity
Use Edge & Value the Marginal
Creatively Use & Respond to Change
and when completed will receive a Permaculture Designers Certificate and the opportunity to join the Permaculture Guild of Houston. The team is also looking forward to fundraise scholarships for other educators, Green Ambassadors and students. With collective knowledge, the stronger the force for the East End Greenbelt becomes resilient. Find out more about Urban Harvest and the programs offered at http://urbanharvest.org/permaculture. Website description, "Urban Harvest offers a series of permaculture classes and hands-on training in the field, totaling approximately 100 hours, based on the curriculum of the International Permaculture Institute. Graduates of the Designers Certificate Course are invited to join the Permaculture Guild of Houston."
Mini Permaculture Project
It took a few days after school and the energy of a handful of students up to challenge to work on new ideas and not be afraid of testing things out. We often state, experiment number "1@$@2," adding whatever random numbers that come to mind. Meaning, let's test it out and see. Students have been able to explore and learn through the journey of experience. Recently, the team tested out the concept of sheet mulching. Working with resources readily available, students sought out cardboard to suppress any potential growth of unwanted weeds. Luckily, the neighbors across the street tossed out a treasure of leaves for us to enjoy!
A number of diverse set of plants have sprung to life in this bed, such as onions, dill, carrots, tomatoes, sunflowers, squash, and other goodies.
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The picture above is of Emerson Hernandez, he is one of the main leads in the East End Greenbelt along with Luis Cruz, both have dedicated countless passionate hours. The Green Schools! students have been rocking it! 
The photo above is of Emerson and Nalleli, an Austin High School Alumna, and Green Ambassador for Lantrip Elementary. Nalleli is one of the main backbones of establishing the green movement at Austin High School and assuring the momentum of energy is thriving. The pictures above are from one of the many days in which the green team gathered to work on projects. There are no set dates, the team is constantly up to something. :)
Checkout the video below, view the amazing adventures of the students from the University of Massachusetts undertaking permaculture designs in the aim for sustainability. One can just imagine the endless possibilities in the East End. This type of energy is what the students wish to create and establish firmly in the East End.
Film Disruption:
UMass Amherst transformed a 1/4 grass lawn on campus into a thriving, abundant, permaculture garden during the 2010-2011 academic year. Learn how this student-led project can be easily replicated and spread to other campuses, institutions... any piece of land for that matter. UMass Amherst is one of the first university's undertaking a project like this, directly on campus, and supplying the food to its dining commons.
This video Produced by http://www.adaptiveNOW.com
Lantrip and Austin High School, Community Building! 
One of the primary missions of the East End Greenbelt is to support with action. Recently, AHS and Eastwood GreenSchools! Ambassadors and volunteers have been taking up shovels, hauling wheelbarrows and working together to restore the earth. Below, is a picture of one of the weekends in which we gathered to support Lantrip Elementary in their greening efforts on their campus. Lantrip is backed by two supermoms, Susan Green and Judith Cruz, who care deeply and wish to provide the students of Lantrip with an opportunity to be apart of establishing an historic greening of their campus. Lantrip also has been an recent recipient of a $20,000 grant from Lowe's to beautify their campus. Austin High School was awarded a $2,700 grant from Lowe's as well!!! The financial support has been a great blessing to the community and we have been active putting the funding to work! Lantrip also at times have lent their resources, such as shovels and wheelbarrows to keep projects going at Austin High School. Sharing, supporting and getting the most out of our resources is our goal. The picture of above is of Emerson Hernandez and his little brother, neither of them attended Lantrip, but their desire to act and aid their community is what draws them to this movement. Family, friends and community members is at the heart of building a resilient sustainable community.
The pictures below are of the students working the grounds of Lantrip, the raised beds are wheelchair accessible, an effort to include all and not a selective few. The height also proves a less strenuous stance when working the garden. It's height is at a comfortable level. Rich fertile earth from Nature's Way Resources fills the beds at Lantrip. The earth will leave your hands darken and moisten with black earth, it also has a sponge like texture. All together, it's a well balanced sample of earth.
The photo below is of the green team establishing a native plant area, to conserve for future generations at Lantrip. A mixed of native seeds were mixed into the batch, such as Texas Bluebonnets, Indian Blanket, American Basketflower, Golden-wave, Gayfeather, Cutleaf Daisy and others. The students weeded the area out, mulched the area, seeded and watered. Areas designated for native plants serve a huge educational value to the landscape. Once the plants thrive, the Green Ambassadors plan to use this area to hold educational workshops of the conservation of native plants of Texas. Students of Lantrip elementary will soon to be well equipped to educate their community of the importance of reestablishing native plants.
  Edison Middle School Mentorship
The Green Ambassadors of Austin High School have recently partnered with Edison Middle School to aid in the lead of establishing a cultural eco environment of accountability and responsibility in the East End. Edison's GreenSchools! students share the same vision for the East End, committed to action to unite and improve the quality of life as stewards of the East End. This is just the stepping stone for Edison, they are fortunate to have a strong leadership of educators who are passionate to devoting energy and mentorship to the youth of the East End.
The Green Ambassadors are excited for the opportunity to engage with youth, Luis Cruz, a Green Ambassador, also attended Edison and is devoted to give back as others done for him. The sole agenda of many of the East End Green Ambassadors, is to give back, to pay it forward, for they know, uniting and combining forces will lead to a ripple effect throughout the entire East End.
The Green Ambassadors are excited for the future partnerships which may be created through the efforts of conserving, restoring and unifying the East End. Soon, Greenschools! site investigations will start to be conducted under the leadership of Green Ambassadors, together, they will work with Edison GreenSchools! students with the opportunities of potential action projects in which they may collaborate and commit as a signaler force of energy.
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The Green Ambassadors of the East End are untied with students from Austin High School and Eastwood Academy, together they lead the way to Restore, Conserve and Unify the East End. Only united will the movement thrive, students are aware of the harm a division may cause and intend to overcome all obstacles when presented. The picture above is one of the first times the Green Ambassadors started to build together. The team participated in a common team builder, referred to as the "human knot," were they interlock their hands, becoming a tangled chain, together they were able to strategize and form the circle in which you see in the photo above.
The students also walked the grounds of Eastwood and collaborated about the possibilities and opportunities of what the future may hold for the campus. Eastwood Academy plans to apply for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation's grant for trees to be installed and for generations to enjoy! GreenSchools! has provided a template of investigates which relate to environmental quality, waste, water, energy and an overall school site investigation. The purpose of the investigations is to empower the student body to unite and investigate, and search and plan for possible solutions. When an investigation is completed for a school's campus, a green action plan which is composed by the student body, is eligible for a grant up to $3,000.
Restoring The Earth
In order to sustain bountiful gardens, to grow and produce a wealthy harvest, the investment of energy has been focused on restoring the earth at Austin High School. The infertile soil consists of little life, sandy and claylike earth surrounds the school grounds. Biomass on the grounds is minimal, due to the investment of many students, we are fortunate to have a team at Austin ready to commit through action.
Students have tested and are currently increasing the biomass to assist in the conservation and sustainability of the earth at Austin. Students have established a system to reuse and reduce the flow of organic waste on the school's campus.
Organic scraps from the cafeteria are utilized and reduces the waste output of the overall campus. Organic matter is used for composting, serves as feed for the worm farm, goodies for the bunny, ducks and chickens. In addition, the build of the biomass aids in the earth's control of fluctuation of temperature. Above, is an image of Abiel, a Green Ambassador using permaculture principles of reusing and restoring organic matter to revitalize the earth surrounding the banana trees. By increasing the the biomass, the garden is becoming resilient to conditions which may harm the success of a good fruiting. Time has passed, and the surrounding earth has provided a thick blanket of biomass, the earth is able to retain moisture, keeps cool and is not easily dried out. To keep mud tracking at a low in the garden, the students have spread out straw to to aid in the favor. In return, the straw has created a blanket of biomass, so far, the moisture and ground can be described as a cool/fresh/moist climate.
Students have tested and are currently increasing the biomass to assist in the conservation and sustainability of the earth at Austin. Students have established a system to reuse and reduce the flow of organic waste on the school's campus.
Organic scraps from the cafeteria are utilized and reduces the waste output of the overall campus. Organic matter is used for composting, serves as feed for the worm farm, goodies for the bunny, ducks and chickens. In addition, the build of the biomass aids in the earth's control of fluctuation of temperature. Above, is an image of Abiel, a Green Ambassador using permaculture principles of reusing and restoring organic matter to revitalize the earth surrounding the banana trees. By increasing the the biomass, the garden is becoming resilient to conditions which may harm the success of a good fruiting. Time has passed, and the surrounding earth has provided a thick blanket of biomass, the earth is able to retain moisture, keeps cool and is not easily dried out. To keep mud tracking at a low in the garden, the students have spread out straw to to aid in the favor. In return, the straw has created a blanket of biomass, so far, the moisture and ground can be described as a cool/fresh/moist climate.
Checkout this video to get a deep understanding of what restoring the earth is all about. It's an amazing documentary which sparks endless ideas and creativity for projects all around the world. Video Title and Description:"Green Gold - Documentary by John D. Liu Published on Jul 19, 2012 "It's possible to rehabilitate large-scale damaged ecosystems." Environmental film maker John D. Liu documents large-scale ecosystem restoration projects in China, Africa, South America and the Middle East, highlighting the enormous benefits for people and planet of undertaking these efforts globally."
Harbach-Ripley Neighborhood Center
Whenever you can, be sure to give love and support to Harbach-Ripley Neighborhood Center on Northdale. They have kicked off an engaging initiative for the community. They are looking to integrate the community into growing their own healthy nutritious foods. East End GreenSchools! students visited Harbach and met the leaders leading the movement. The staff is super friendly and excited to get the community active and involved. They have installed a number garden beds of all shapes and sizes which are accessible to everyone. The Green Ambassadors are also involved with GreenSchools! team at Harbach-Ripley, they attend weekly and engage the students with environmental topics and activities. The team at Harbach-Ripley have set down a foundation for the community to start building upon. Soon, a solid structure will stand. To find out more information about their programs, located below is the some information to look into:
Harbach-Ripley Neighborhood Center
The East End community is at a loss for words at the moment. Abiel has blessed us with his legacy and will never be forgotten. His energy, his smile, his adventurous outlook on life is inspiring to us all. He was active in JROTC, HCC, Science Club, C-STEM Robotics Ambassador, Baseball, DREAM, INTERACT, and an active Green Ambassador of GreenSchools! He spent countless hours investing into the green movement of the East End Greenbelt. The day in which the community gathered to install the twenty plus fruit trees on Lantrip’s campus, he was there with a shovel in his hand. He assisted greatly in the installation of the thirty-five on campus. His legacy remains embodied at Austin and for us all to enjoy. When you visit the garden, you will be able to embrace the energy he invested. The birds singing, the ducks quacking, the chickens roosting, the site of monarch butterflies and the once infertile earth, rich with life and a biodiversity interconnected with the rest of the garden. His passing has highlighted the value and positive impact that Abiel provided to the East End. He will be sorely missed but his memory and light lives on in a memorial Olive and Mexican plum tree that will continue to remind us all of the love and dedication that Abiel shared with his fellow Green Ambassadors in the quest to improve his campus and his community in making these healthier, safer and greener places to live. Due to unexpected passing, the community gathered and raised all the necessary funds by hosting a benefit carwash. As our fellow brother honored his community by investing his time and energy, his community paid it forward. Recently, Lantrip Blooms hosted a Ribbon Cutting event to kickoff their green initiatives by hosting a festive celebration were the community gathered to commemorate the leaders who stepped
