2008-9 AmeriCorps Teams

As of July 22, 2008 there is only one AmeriCorps position remaining for the 2008-2009 year.

Water Quality Team (Team selected): Members serve with the Water Quality Forum Adopt-A-Watershed Program (AAW) to teach students how to protect their local watershed. They facilitate teacher AAW teams, teach hands-on science activities (chemical and biological sampling and analysis, water pollution, land use, and other related topics) in the classroom. They organize stream monitoring field events (water sample collections and monitoring, fish collection, stream physical assessment). They provide technical assistance and support to students and teachers in the planning and implementation of AAW projects.

EarthFlag Team (Team selected): Each team member individually works with 4 elementary or middle schools to increase their overall school sustainability. They teach students about solid waste issues in the classroom, facilitate the set-up and operation of school-wide composting and recycling programs, be a resource providing opportunity for hands-on learning. They also encourage students to recycle at home. They work with teachers and students to implement sustainable living practices (school gardens, nature trails, arboretums, etc).

Ijams Naturalist (Team selected): Team member will facilitate Environmental Education (EE) activities for 5000 pre-kindergarten through 8th grade students visiting Ijams Nature Center on GO! Hikes. Facilitate School Yard Field Trips at area schools for Elementary students. He assists in development, promotion and facilitation of the new Research in the Park programming. He assists in curriculum development for new EE programming for pre-kindergarten-8th grade and special needs students. He leads presentations of non-releasable wild animals for GO! Hike students. He assists in volunteer field guide recruitment and retention.

Air Quality Team (Team selected): This team facilitates environmental outreach and education within the community through a variety of mediums, including the Young Biodiesel Leaders Program, workshops, community events and festivals. Team members also serve with students, schools, administrators, teachers, community members, businesses, stakeholders, and government agencies to communicate, plan, develop and implement clean air related projects in order to attain regional environmental goals of the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition.

Urban Agriculture Team (Team selected): Members maintain a 1-acre urban community farm and the surrounding park area. They grow and distribute over 2,000 pounds of produce to local food pantries and kitchens. They promote principles of gardening, composting, seed starting, and nutrition to 100 elementary students in 4 local schools. They increase community awareness of Beardsley Community Farm by planning festivals and special seasonal events.

Litter Prevention Team (Team selected): The Litter Prevention Team serves with Keep Knoxville Beautiful, providing litter-prevention and introductory environmental education to 10 neighborhood/community associations, and 10 school groups as well as individuals to clean and maintain some of Knox County’s most littered areas.

Recycling Team: (1 position remaining)
Knoxville Recycling Coalition (1 position remaining): This member organizes events with the Knoxville Recycling Coalition, such as America Recycles Day, to create awareness and educate about the importance of recycling.

Knox County Solid Waste (Team selected): This member will assist the County Recycling Coordinator by educating adults, high school students, and community groups about the importance of recycling.

UT Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (Team selected): Member will work with the ISSE to assist the Tennessee Solid Waste Education Project (TNSWEP) program in its goals to promote solutions to solid waste issues. They also facilitate and develop sustainable projects such as Earth Fest 2009 and 2009 Sundown in the City recycling events.

We have filled the positions on our Urban Agriculture Team @
Beardsley Community Farm.

It was difficult to make a decision, but I know we have four great folks that are going to do some awesome service work starting in August.
Congrats to Tara, Jeff, Kirsten and Shelagh on your commitment to serve with us in 2008-9.
If you were interested in the farm as a service site you may be interested in our positions at Ijams Nature center with our Earth Flag Team. http://www.ijams.org