Environmental Resource Center

Programs: Youth educationour 2017 youth education programming continued the erc's legacy of empowering youth through science-based knowledge. In these programs, we work to inspire a life-long passion for science and provide students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to become the future stewards of our environment. School programs are offered during school hours as well after school and include our spring exploration series, growing great minds, and science after school. Other youth programs include eco camp (two weeks of overnight camps, each with a different theme and for a different age group), as well as community collaborative programs offered with partner organizations to help supplement and enrich their already existing programs. Youth education programs account for over 50% of the erc's work. In 2017, 2,500+ youth were reached in over 75 programs. 73 of these programs were offered free of charge. New in 2017, the erc financially and programmatically supported the 44th annual overnight residential outdoor environmental school (roes) camp that reaches every 6th grade student at the wood river middle school.

recycling outreach and action the erc works with blaine county's recycling program, 5b recycles, and clear creek disposal, to facilitate recycling at large and small events; offers a collection site for some recyclables; and provides engaging outreach that educates the community on best local recycling practices. In 2017, the erc conducted over 30 programs, reaching 12,500+ community members. Over 3,500 gallons of glass, aluminum, and plastic and 2,000 pounds of batteries and electronics were diverted fron the landfill. Additionally, over 350 volunteers of all ages, cleaned up over 1,200 pounds of trash valley-wide at the erc's 23rd annual clean sweep-a community-wide spring clean up effort.

pesticide actionin 2014, the erc took over the work of the pesticide action network of blaine county (pan bc)and incorporated it into a new program called pesticide action. The goal of this program is to reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers in the wood river valley. The erc promotes integrated pest management (ipm) practices where alternatives are considered first and foremost, and chemicals, when necessary, are used in small quantities, as a last resort. In 2017, in collaboration with community partners, the erc co-hosted a spring weed management workshop; hired an intern to maintain an insectary at the sawtooth national recreation area headquarters that is growing spotted knapweed-eating weevils (knapweed is a noxious weed and weevils are insects) and to monitor, map and analyze the effects of alternative weed treatments throughout blaine county; and conducted a variety of community and youth-focused educational programs. We reached over 500 people in these programs.