Clean Sweep, Idaho Gives, Zooniverse and more!
A typical spring day for program staff at the ERC entails a stop in the office around 8:00AM to prepare materials for the day's educational programs, checking messages, e-mails, and placing any electronic recycling we have received into the back shed. Then, staff heads in to the field for the day's programs, often not returning to the office until the next day. 

People who know this about our jobs are surprised to hear that we are still busy working during the stay-at-home order. The days look and feel quite different, but at the core our work is the same - providing environmental education opportunities to build the next generation of environmental leaders.

We have adapted and are continuing to adapt our upcoming programs. For example, we have partnered with The Crisis Hotline to create content, print and distribute care packages with environmental education materials to 130+ families. We have dispersed virtual Spring Exploration Series presentations made by partner organizations with accompanying educational activities each week for four consecutive weeks to 28 2nd & 3rd grade teachers in Blaine County. We have collaborated with four additional teachers to generate lessons on Earth Day, Idaho's dark skies, landfills, and reducing, reusing and recycling. It's a pleasure to support our wonderful teaching colleagues at this time. The work of inspiring creativity and curiosity never stops!

Simultaneously, ERC staff and board are developing ideas and building collaborations to ensure there are safe opportunities to attend programs or volunteer with the ERC this summer. We hope to announce these opportunities by early June. 

How can you help us adapt to these changes? Choose to support the ERC during Idaho Gives - a statewide giving period bringing awareness to Idaho's nonprofits.  Visit the ERC's Idaho Gives   page by May 7 to donate. 
  
~ Alisa McGowan, ERC Program Director  



Clean Sweep Postponed

Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, the ERC will postpone Clean Sweep this spring. This year's event - which would have been the 26th consecutive year - was originally planned for Saturday, May 2nd.

On the first Saturday in May since 1994, hundreds of volunteers of all ages in Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, and Bellevue have come together to clean up our cities, neighborhoods, and trails after the long winter. Clean Sweep is such a wonderful day where we can all come  together as a community and make a difference. We hate to postpone this event, but it doesn't m ake sense to promote this vital trash pick-up as a group event at this time.

We are working on new and creative ways to keep the momentum of Clean Sweep going so we can all continue to be here for our environment this spring. We were so inspired by you all picking up on your own on Earth Day!

Spring Science Series 

This week of the Spring Science Series we are featuring Idaho Conservation League (ICL).  The Idaho Conservation League works to protect the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land you love. 

A first-time presenter in the series, we are so thankful that ICL staff were still able to create a presentation for Blaine County's second and third grade students. 

Check-out their 15 minute video about Idaho's salmon on our YouTube channel. It was made for elementary students, but ERC staff learned SO much watching it! 

The 5th annual Spring Science Series was scheduled to be occurring on Wednesdays in the spring in conjunction with the Spring Exploration Series.
Citizen Science: Zooinverse 

We've been hearing a lot about  Zooniverse the past few weeks, so we took some time to explore this citizen science platform. Citizen science is the collection and analysis of data by the general public, usually as a part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.

The projects on Zooniverse are online, perfect for rainy days like today. They give you a quick tutorial and then you get started. We recommend starting with Nest Quest Go: Robins. This project entai ls transcribing data that was taken over the past few decades on robins. Robin populations are in decline, help scientists figure out why.

At the ERC, we are working on identifying local opportunities for citizen science that will be outdoors in the future. Ideas about a project? Send them to [email protected].
Nature Art 

There are materials all around you that you can create with! We were inspired by local art teacher, Miss O'Brien to create using any materials we could find outside. She shared Andy Goldsworthy's art with us for even more inspiration.

We would love to see your creations! Reply to this e-mail to share them with us or tag @ERCSunValley on Facebook or Instagram. 

Not everyone loves art in public areas, so we recommend keeping your creations to your space. Leave no trace!
Idaho Gives

The ERC is participating in Idaho Gives. Idaho Gives  - a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center - is designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits.

Visit the ERC's  Idaho Gives webpage for details on what we are raising money for this year.  Don't wait too long, Idaho Gives ends May 7. Thank you to all of those who have supported us already! 

Questions? Contact ERC Executive Director, Lindsay Mollineaux, [email protected] or 208-726-4333. 

Environmental Resource Center
PO Box 819
Ketchum, ID 83340

Visit us at:
471 Washington Avenue
Ketchum, ID ID 83340

208.726.4333
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @ERCSunValley