Project Resources - Search Results

Baca/Dlo'ay azhi Community School

The LEED Certified Baca Dlo'ay azhi Community School, on the Navajo Nation reservation in Prewitt, New Mexico, serves students in kindergarten through grade six. The 78,900 ft2 building incorporates Native American cultural concepts, including an orientation that reflects the meanings associated with the four cardinal directions. The school employs daylighting, low-emissivity windows, shading, an efficient mechanical system, and a sophisticated energy-management system; energy use at the school is expected to be 20% below that of a minimally code-compliant facility. The school is also expected to use 30% less water than a conventional facility. Materials were selected for their recycled content and proximity to the building site. Daylighting, air filtration, a track-off entryway system, and a green housekeeping plan contribute to a healthy indoor environment.

For more information: http://leedcasestudies.usgbc.org/overview.cfm?ProjectID=387

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Brownfields State and Tribal Response Program

Montana State University provided the necessary training and educational guidance to successfully inventory and lab-pack hazardous chemicals at 5 schools on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. This work was accomplished in collaboration with the Cheyenne River Sioux Environmental Protection Department, Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School, Dupree School, Takini School, Timber Lake High School, and Tiospaye Topa School. Chemicals lab-packed include neurotoxins, carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, strong oxidizers, corrosive, caustic, toxic, ignitable, flammable, and potentially explosive chemicals. The schools’ total student population is 668 and 84% Native American. A total of 1,750 pounds of chemicals were lab-packed by a hazardous waste broker and removed from the school system to a proper disposal/storage facility.

For more information: http://www.peakstoprairies.org/library/healthy_schools/chemcleanout/inde x.cfm?Page=Appendix&Appendix=case_studies#head

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

Though a Commissioner's Order, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe began an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) review process, in order to have coordination between programs and departmetns with projects around the Reservation. Each EAW is assessed by different individuals with technical expertise regarding Air Quality, Archaeology/Cultural Resouces, Forestry, Land Leases/Titles, Solid/Hazardous Waste, Water Quality (both surface and ground) and Wildlife/Fisheries. Each category are then reviewed against both with Tribal Laws and Customs, and with Best Available Practices in environmental management. Often during this process, the short-coming of the community planners are flushed out so that they can better serve the public and the tribal resources. However, the process still lacks the ability to review for overall safety and with potential O&M costs impact to the tribe, so the DNRE is now working together with the other departments to try to close up these review loop-holes that can cause approvals of projects that negatively impact tribes' environmental and resource access. A recent change for the EAW process was to bring in a public comment period for all public infrastructure projects, in order to enpower the community with a voice on their resouces and environmetal access.

For more information: http://www.millelacsband.com/

EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program

The IAQ Tools for Schools Program is a comprehensive resource to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing IAQ problems. Poor indoor air quality can impact the comfort and health of students and staff, which, in turn, can affect concentration, attendance, and student performance. In addition, if schools fail to respond promptly to poor IAQ, students and staff are at an increased risk of short-term health problems, such as fatigue and nausea, as well as long-term problems like asthma.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/

GreenScapes - Environmentally Beneficial Landscaping

The U.S. EPA’s GreenScapes program provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for large-scale landscaping. This web site provides information on the benefits of GreenScaping, how to implement GreenScaping, the GreenScapes Alliance, success stories, and publications/ resources.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/index.htm

Healthy families, healthy homes

The Oregon Environmental Council advances innovative, collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations. Much of the information and guides found on this site are applicable to everyone.

For more information: http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/tinyfootprints

Healthy School Environment Resources

Healthy School Environment Resources is your gateway to on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers and staff address environmental health issues in schools.

For more information: http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/index.cfm

High Performance School Design On-Line Training

Helps architects and engineers design more sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient K-12 school buildings. The 25-course curriculum includes an online curriculum with CHPS and LEED® design criteria. Areas covered include: site design; lighting and electrical systems; energy efficient building shell; water conservation; recycling systems, waste management; health and productivity; and more. Learning Units in Health, Safety and Welfare under the American Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education System are offered. Registration is required but the courses have been underwritten through state and federal support and are currently offered free of charge. The courses were developed by the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC), Building Media, Inc., the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Architectural Energy Corporation, and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools. The program is based on the U.S. DOE Rebuild America program’s National Best Practices Manual for Building High Performance Schools.

For more information: http://www.nyserda.org/hps/designcommissioning.asp

Indigenous Permaculture

Indigenous Permaculture revitalizes urban and rural communities and supports self-sufficiency through traditional native farming practices, food security, and appropriate technology. The month-long (60-hour) Certificate Training builds skills needed to grow one's own food, develop supporting sustainable energy and water systems, and design projects in one's own community.

For more information: http://www.gardeners.com/2008-Garden-Crusader-Guillermo-Vasquez/8306,def ault,pg.html

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

ITEP was created to act as a catalyst among tribal governments, research and technical resources at Northern Arizona University (NAU), various federal, state and local governments, and the private sector, in support of environmental protection of Native American natural resources. ITEP accomplishes its mission through several programs. ITEP trains tribal environmental staff in issues ranging from compliance inspections, wastewater management, and water and air quality, to name a few. Educational and internship opportunities for students ranging from elementary school level through college are available, as is direct professional assistance. The TAMS center provides technical assistance and training, and the Resource Center can answer questions and furnish aid in a variety of environmental topics.

For more information: http://www4.nau.edu/itep/

National Environmental Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse - Tribal Sector

A compendium of resources (many are on-line) dealing with tribal compliance issues. Subject areas include: schools, public water systems, solid waste, hazardous waste, construction waste, munitions waste, mining waste, wastewater management, general compliance, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), pesticides, regional tribal contacts, federal agency resources, and tribal organizations.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/assistance/sectors/tribal.html

OPPT Tribal News

EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics publishes a newsletter approximately twice per year including articles featuring tribal initiatives and issues. The publication "...seeks to provide an opportunity to promote a two-way dialogue with EPA and American Indian Tribes, including Alaskan Native Villagers, regarding a vast array of environmental issues and concerns that affect Indian country. The mission and hope of the publication is to maintain an open, constructive exchange of information between the federal government, Tribal governments, and Tribal organizations...."

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tribal/pubs/

P2Rx Auto Body Topic Hub

This guide has basic information about pollution prevention for auto body shops and links to a collection of online resources. Information describes industry demographics, key processes and the materials used and wastes produced in auto body facilities, why pollution prevention is a preferred alternative, operating practices and products which reduce waste and pollution and a glossary of commonly used terms.

For more information: http://www.peakstoprairies.org/topichub/toc.cfm?hub=5&subsec=7&nav=7

P2Rx Mercury Topic Hub

Overview of mercury sources and issues including: health effects, releases to the atmosphere, mercury in products, mercury travel in the environment, fish advisories and assistance approaches. Includes an extensive bibliography with links to on-line resources and a database of mercury projects in the U.S.

For more information: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/topichub/index.cfm?page=toc&hub_id=22

Profile of Tribal Government Operations

The Tribal Profile presents information on many aspects of tribal government operations affecting the environment. It provides tribes with key information about environmental regulations and can also help tribes build their environmental compliance programs. The Tribal Profile contains material on an array of available EPA technical and compliance assistance tools as well as financial and pollution prevention opportunities applicable to tribal operations.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/ notebooks/tribal.html

The Columbia River Virtual Field Trip: an Amazing Watershed Journey

Learn about Columbia River history, geology, the headwaters region, First Nations and Native American culture, current issues and challenges to the river, make educational connections, and provide glimpses of sustainability about the future of the river with readings on the river from multiple perspectives. Designed for middle and high school students and teachers in conjunction with Tramline, an award-winning creator of virtual field trips.

For more information: http://cbi.wsu.edu/

Tribal Composting Nourishes Land and Tradition

This issue of U.S. EPA's Tribal Waste Journal focuses on a variety of innovative composting approaches, including: backyard, fish and wood waste, food waste and biosolids, vermicomposting in schools, green waste composting in an arid climate, mixed solid waste composting in Alaska, and cultural gardens and green roofs. It features the stories and experiences of the: Blackfeet Tribe of Montana, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Fond du Lac Reservation, Haines Sanitation, Inc., Ho-Chunk Nation, Kake Tribal Corporation, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Oneida Tribe of Wisonsin, Redwood Valley Rancheria, and Slat River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona. It also contains an extensive list of useful resources, tribal, village, and state contacts; and the Kids Page. The Journal is published annually. It is available on the Web or free printed copies are available from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)--phone: 800/490-9198; e-mail: ncepimal@one.net. Document #: (EPA530-N-05-001).

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/tribal/index.htm

Tribal News - Echoes of Green in Indian Country

This 64 page newsletter includes news and events, discusses new technologies with case study examples, and referes to new resources. Some of the specific topics covered in this issue include: wind and solar power; green agriculture; green buildings, facilities and landscaping; green chemistry; green cleaning; green energy and lights; green engineering; green labels and purchasing; green meetings; and green tourism.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tribal/pubs/t-news-fall2004.pdf

Youth Education and Pollution Prevention

Describes environmental education methodologies, how they can affect creative thinking and behavior change and how pollution prevention can be the practical application of such learning. Also links to on-line curricula and activities with pollution prevention themes and reference and research materials appropriate for K-12 youth.

For more information: http://www.peakstoprairies.org/topichub/toc.cfm?hub=804&subsec=7&nav=7