River Ranger 2nd Annual Halloween Clean Up
Work For Water Neighborhood Challenge One
River Ranger 2nd Annual Halloween Clean Up
River Ranger members of all ages & the public, dressed in Halloween costumes, will gather at Riverside Park, New ULm, Sun, Oct 30th to rake the park, street gutters, stencil/paint drains. Preceded by our staff using display boards to explain the impact of preventing phosphorous from reaching the Mn River. Also post clean up party with variety of treats. Will give tours in Regional River History Center and share info on Mn. river valley and importance of cleaning it up.
Contributor
Ron BolduanOct 21, 2011
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About You
About You
First Name
Ron
Last Name
Bolduan
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United States, MN, Brown County
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Your idea
Title
River Ranger 2nd Annual Halloween Clean Up
Country your work focuses on
United States, MN
Body
River Ranger members of all ages & the public, dressed in Halloween costumes, will gather at Riverside Park, New ULm, Sun, Oct 30th to rake the park, street gutters, stencil/paint drains. Preceded by our staff using display boards to explain the impact of preventing phosphorous from reaching the Mn River. Also post clean up party with variety of treats. Will give tours in Regional River History Center and share info on Mn. river valley and importance of cleaning it up.
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Innovation
Tell us how your friends or neighbors are already engaged with protecting clean water, if they are. If not, tell us why you think your friends and neighbors have not paid much attention to the protection of water. “Friends and neighbors” may be defined broadly and might include people in your school, church or other group
River Ranger members familes and friends already assist in cleaning up liter, spreading the word on keeping grass clippings from the street, and controlling leaf accumulation in the gutters. Rangers and their families and friends have already gathered well over one hundred bags of leaves. They work on keeping the rivers clean year round, not just during the event. Parents are proud to boast that they cannot cross a parking lot without their children stopping to pick up litter and explaining why to whomever will listen.
How will you use $500 to fully implement your idea by Nov. 12, 2011? What will you spend money on?
The grant will help cover expenses incurred for our 2nd annual leaf cleanup--cleanup supplies and treats for our after the work Halloween party. Youngsters and adults respond enthusiatically to a fun recognition and reward activity when the work is finished.
Tell us how your idea brings people together in an innovative way. What is new and innovative about your idea? An innovation may be a completely new approach, an expansion of a proven one or a new twist on existing solutions
One of our most effective innovations is encouraging intergenerational involvement. We started with a group of young people and encouraged them to be ambassadors and recruiters for getting other family members involved. We've had up to four generations participating in some of our events/outings. Working together for a common cause keeps the entire family interested, to the benefit of the family and the environment.
What do you hope others might learn from your idea?
Our number one goal is getting young people involved. An effective tool is our Facebook, "River Ranger Program" site. It lists upcoming events/outings, allows input from members when we are not together and is always updated with abundant photos of members in action. We have several professional photographers on our all volunteer staff so documentation is part of the fun. Fun is an important factor--kids having fun are much more likely to stay involved. They are doing good works and learning without being pressured.
Ron Bolduan updated this Competition Entry. - 208 days ago | |
Ron Bolduan submitted this idea. - 208 days ago |
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