<b>In Celebration of Earth Day</b>
While the following statement might seem hokey, it is absolutely relevant and true: at Millbrook, we try to live every day as if it is Earth Day. Environmental stewardship is, after all, one of our core values, a value upon which Millbrook was founded. From the beginning, Millbrook students and faculty have incorporated a respect for our environment in the work that they do (community service), the programs that they establish (Trevor Zoo, SCAPE, and more), and the lessons that are imparted and learned across the curriculum.
So on Earth Day 2009, we did a lot of things that we do every day: we recycled in the dining hall and in the academic and residential buildings on campus; we cleaned and fed and cared for the more than 180 species of exotic and indigenous animals in the zoo (including 7 endangered species); we continued studies in Environmental Science and Biodiversity; we focused on reducing the use of plastic water bottles by offering stainless and aluminum refillable bottles in the school store; and we discussed energy efficiency and environmental pollution within the classrooms of our gold LEED certified Math and Science Center.
We also took the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a special forum presentation by oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who is known as the "Ambassador of the Oceans", "Her Deepness", "Living Legend", and "Hero for the Planet." She was witty and engaging and likely inspired a good number of students to pursue a marine biology major after Millbrook... Her stories held us in rapt attention as she spoke of traveling 3,300 feet below the surface of the ocean, becoming the leader of the first female aquanauts, and spending more than 6,000 hours in the depths of the ocean. Her stories were accompanied by beautiful images of the wildlife she encountered, many familiar creatures such as the grouper (a "good 'ole" fish) and the squid (the "curious" fish who likes to "check you out"), and many that few other people have had the chance to see first-hand. Her most important message: take care of the earth, its oceans, and its creatures.
After our all-school forum, everyone changed into their grubby clothes and headed out to the roadsides surrounding Millbrook's campus to pick up garbage. Bags and bags were filled and hauled back to our trash/recycling area where it was all sorted and prepared for collection. Shortly thereafter, everyone enjoyed a sustainable Earth Day supper featuring local & organic fruits and veggies, free-range chicken, fresh-baked rolls and bread made with organic flour, and whole wheat penne with roasted organic plum tomatoes.
Follow this link for more pictures from Earth Day 2009.
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So on Earth Day 2009, we did a lot of things that we do every day: we recycled in the dining hall and in the academic and residential buildings on campus; we cleaned and fed and cared for the more than 180 species of exotic and indigenous animals in the zoo (including 7 endangered species); we continued studies in Environmental Science and Biodiversity; we focused on reducing the use of plastic water bottles by offering stainless and aluminum refillable bottles in the school store; and we discussed energy efficiency and environmental pollution within the classrooms of our gold LEED certified Math and Science Center.
We also took the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a special forum presentation by oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who is known as the "Ambassador of the Oceans", "Her Deepness", "Living Legend", and "Hero for the Planet." She was witty and engaging and likely inspired a good number of students to pursue a marine biology major after Millbrook... Her stories held us in rapt attention as she spoke of traveling 3,300 feet below the surface of the ocean, becoming the leader of the first female aquanauts, and spending more than 6,000 hours in the depths of the ocean. Her stories were accompanied by beautiful images of the wildlife she encountered, many familiar creatures such as the grouper (a "good 'ole" fish) and the squid (the "curious" fish who likes to "check you out"), and many that few other people have had the chance to see first-hand. Her most important message: take care of the earth, its oceans, and its creatures.
After our all-school forum, everyone changed into their grubby clothes and headed out to the roadsides surrounding Millbrook's campus to pick up garbage. Bags and bags were filled and hauled back to our trash/recycling area where it was all sorted and prepared for collection. Shortly thereafter, everyone enjoyed a sustainable Earth Day supper featuring local & organic fruits and veggies, free-range chicken, fresh-baked rolls and bread made with organic flour, and whole wheat penne with roasted organic plum tomatoes.
Follow this link for more pictures from Earth Day 2009.
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