ENVIRONMENT

Concerned about pesticides

Dear Citizens of San Juan County,

posted 06/02/04
Our class had a debate about pesticides. We would like to tell you about the bad pesticides. Here are some facts about why they are bad.

• Did you ever know that pesticides poison birds, fish, worms, cattle, sheep, and people?
  
  
• There are hundreds of thousands of non-fatal poisonings each year. The reason why birds get destroyed is because the pesticides dissolve into the ground and when the worms that live down there eat the dirt, they get poisoned. When the birds eat the worms the eggshells of their babies get too thin and crack before hatching.
  
  
• Did you know that insects can get used to pesticides, just like you can get used to worms in your ice cream? When insects get used to pesticides, their population will grow again.

I guess I'll tell you of a lady who had termites invading her house.

Once upon a time there lived a lady named Ms. Pest. She hated pesticides until she found termites in her house. She used stronger and stronger pesticides, but the more she sprayed the more there were. So she stopped spraying then used organic pesticides. The termites left. THE END

DDT was banned in the United States by the U.S government in 1972. DDT stands for Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane. It was almost too late for the peregrine falcon because it ate the fish that were poisoned by DDT. People did not know until it was almost too late. Still people are using pesticides and don't know what they are poisoning.

Persistent pesticides stay long enough for other animals to absorb it. If the pesticides stay for a long time, they will soak down into the ground. The earthworms absorb some. Pesticides go to steams and fish will get it too. Pesticides will affect animals. If a cow drinks poisoned water, her milk would be affected and since people drink milk, they would be getting it as well. Since children's immune systems are not as strong as adults, these pesticides will have more affect on children. When they spray pesticides on the crops the pesticides will make the plants more vulnerable to bad insects, which increases pesticides resistance.

So don't be a pesticides user.

Libby Snow
Emma Brand
Chandra Crawford
Madeline Marinkovich
The girls are eight-years old and in Bruce Robinson's second grade class at Friday Harbor Elementary School

Pedal for the Planet

Dear Editor,

posted 03/13/04
The Friday Harbor High School Leadership Class has developed a program to raise environmental awareness and to encourage students to ride their bikes to school. This program is called, "Pedal for the Planet." Over the last couple months, our class has been structuring the program: creating a collaboration of student, staff and community member’s ideas. This letter explains the program and the passions behind its creation.

I first thought of the idea, while riding my bike down San Juan Valley road. I was scared riding down the road and realized that there needs to be change. Bikers need to feel safe while biking across the island. The beauty of San Juan Island is amazing and people should be able to enjoy it, while riding their bicycles in safe areas.

I took my original ideas to my leadership class and the "Pedal for the Plant" project took off. The entire leadership class has worked incredibly hard at designing this program. We are trying to promote the benefits of riding a bike to school, and to start a movement towards reducing pollution and improving everyone’s health.

We want to stimulate environmental awareness, throughout the community. The project starts Monday, March 15, 2004. Drivers, please watch out for students and staff on the roads! If anyone gets inspired, ride your bike to work on Monday, and stop by the High School to grab some "Biker Snacks" on us! By students setting an example, we want to unite the community in a movement towards making San Juan Island "Biker Friendly."

Lucas Franco
Senior Class Co-President

Pedaling for the Planet FHHS Leadership Class 2004

Goals:

The Goals of the Pedal for the Planet program are:

1. Reduce harmful exhaust emissions by getting students out of their cars . and onto their bikes

2. Promote physical well-being and a healthy lifestyle

3. Spread awareness of our impact on our surroundings

4. Foster appreciation of the natural beauty of San Juan Island

5. Establish a connection between students and the community concerning …bicycle safety and more "Biker Friendly" roads

Why Pedal for the Planet?

1. Reduce harmful exhaust emissions by getting students out of their cars and onto their bikes
   
   
2. Promote physical well-being and a healthy lifestyle
   
   
3. Spread awareness of our impact on our surroundings
   
   
4. Foster appreciation of the natural beauty of San Juan Island
   
   
5. Establish a connection between students and the community concerning bicycle safety and more "Biker Friendly" roads

Rewards and Other Incentives:

In order to encourage students to ride to school, the ASB will fund prizes: students and classes will receive these rewards, upon conclusion of the two week period (March 15 - March 26).

After the two week period, the Leadership Class will evaluate the program and continue it, if there is interest. Prizes are essential for the promotion and motivation of the Peddle for the Planet Program.

There will be rewards for students excelling beyond the minimum. Students will be rewarded on the following terms (all rewards are given on a biweekly basis, unless stated otherwise):

Biking Award Criteria

1. Meet the Minimum Standard for Biking to School (Depending on their …Zone) * Reward: Nalgen Water Bottle, "Power Pack" (Apple, Orange, Power Bar), Pedal for the Planet T-Shirt
   
   
2. 2. Most Number of Times Riding to School * Reward: $25 Gift Certificate to local restaurant (If there are ties, a drawing will be held. Each drawing participant will receive carabineers and the winner will receive the certificate.)
   
   
3. Most Miles Ridden * Reward: $30 Gift Certificate to Island Bike Shop
   
   
4. Advisory Totals of Students Riding to School * Reward: The winning advisory will be rewarded with an "all-expenses-paid" bowling and pizza party.
   
   
5. Two Day Class Totals * Reward: On Thursday and Friday, of each week, classes with the most number of times ridden to school, will receive Power Packs and carabineers for each student.
   
   

Recording Students Bike Riding Totals: The island will be divided into four zones in order to account for the different distances students travel. Points will be awarded based on the zone.

Conclusion

The FHHS's Leadership Class Pedal for the Planet program can open doors of discovery. It is a relatively simple program, encouraging students and staff to bike to school by offering incentives/rewards. However, it has the opportunity to improve students health, heighten environmental awareness, reduce pollution, and forge community bonds in a movement towards "Biker Friendly" roads.

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008

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