EXHIBIT 1-PROGRAMS SPONSORED BY CITIZENS FOR CONSERVATION-BERNARDS TOWNSHIP "Environmental Brainstorming," all ages, 30-60 minutes, audience participa tion. "Native Animals and Flowers," slide presentation, all ages, 15-45 minutes depending on age level. "The Meaning of the Food Chain," discussion with visual aids, 15-30 minutes, all ages. "What is Conservation?" experiments and games, 15 minutes, kindergarten to 5th grade. "Restoring your Environment," 30 min., adult. "Chalk Talk on Conservation," 45 minutes, all levels. (P) "Life Cycle of the Gypsy Moth," 30-45 minutes, visual display including specimens; all ages. "Environmental Education," 45 minutes. (P) "County Parks are for People," How parks can play a role to preserve the quality of our environment. 45 minutes. (P) "Random Reflections-Philosophy and Spirit of the Outdoors," 20 minutes, 6th grade and up. (P) "Our National EQ" (environmental quality), 30 minutes, adult. "The Passaic River and Its Problems," 30 minutes, adult. "Population Problems," Alice Day, Smith College, 1 hour edited tape and discussions, adult and high school level. "Environmental Crisis," Barry Commoner, 1 hour tape and discussion sessions, adult and high school level. Speakers Bureau include: Mrs. Elfreda Finch, Mrs. Florence Cox, Mrs. Betty Little, Mrs. Ella Filippone, Mrs. K. Von der Heiden, and Mr. Walter Jones, Somerset County Naturalist. Material for these programs was prepared with the assistance of Rutgers University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Somerset County Park Commission, N.J. Department of Agriculture, Somerset County Extension Service, North Jersey Conservation Foundation, and the National Wildlife Federation. These programs are sponsored by Citizens for Conservation-Bernards Township. Arrangements for them may be made by writing to Box 232, Bawking Ridge, New Jersey 07920 or by telephoning 766-5516. (P) These programs may be arranged by calling Mr. Walter Jones directly at 766-2489. Statement by MILLICENT FENWICK State of New Jersey Assemblyman, District 8 (Somerset) on MAY 2 1970 Environmental Quality Education Act of 1970 Several months ago a group of concerned citizens in my district conducted a survey as to "What is Conservation?" My answer to them ship was: Conservation and ecology The whole relation of man to his environment are the most vital issues before us now. When all the others have been resolved or forgotten, these will be with us, our children, and our children children. aminy The growing concern of man for his environment can be seen in every newspaper and magazine one reads these days. On March 7th, the Saturday Review instituted a new monthly section entitled "Environment and the Quality of Life." In their introduction, they said: "Philosophy precedes ecology. What is most needed today It would seem that in order to develop the proper philosophy on a broad scale, one must start at the very beginning, and that is to begin in the school systems where the children are given the basic materials on which to build a future. Environmental education must be brought into the schools, homes, factories, colleges, and any other place where there are Americans. The concepts of ecology are primary to the structure of environmental education. Complexity of interactions, the delicacy of balance, the importance of variety, these are all concepts which must concern all students and be related to each student's immediate surroundings and all aspects of his life. It is essential that for this program to be effective that all educators become enthusiastic and committed to the cause. Every teacher can influence attitudes toward environmental quality and thus influence the quality of future life. page 2 My stateof New Jersey is one of the fastest growing in the Nation primarily because of its geographical location. We in Somerset County are the next frontier for expansion. The populare of the cities and suburbs are looking toward us for what is considered "the peace and quiet of the country." We have, therefore, undertaken to build an Environmental Education Center in Lord Sterling Park, Bernards Township, New Jersey, like no other park or educational center in the United States. Hopefully, ground will be broken in the spring of 1971; however, land acquisition was completed on April 3, 1970. We define environmental education as "that education which deals comprehensively with both human resources and conditions, and natural resources and conditions. It is aimed at producing a citizenry which is knowledgeable concerning problems that affect our total environment, understand how to be effective in helping to solve these problems, and is motivated to work toward their solution." The ultimate goal of our Center will be "the stimulation of awareness and understanding of our total environment, natural and altered, among people of all ages by providing learning experiences that cannot be duplicated in any other type of facility, and to develop a sense of responsibility for the care and wise use of our natural resources." This Center is physically located in the Somerset County section of the Great Swamp. It is about 400 acres of undeveloped land, much of it being marsh and swamp. The land, buildings, trails, equipment all will serve as educational tools to be used to fulfill the Center's guiding purpose and educational objectives. We have employed a professional naturalist, Mr. Walter Jones, who has already been setting up programs and brining them into the various school systems of the County under the auspices of the page 3 Somerset County Park Commission, new addition. which the Center is an important Parks already in existence are and will be an important part of the overall program. Many of the Earth Day activities were conducted by children and adults who had participated in previous programs which are being introduced via the other parks in our system. We believe that our Center should accomplish what few other "nature centers" are doing, and that is open the eyes and minds of people to the total environment around them so that they might appreciate and understand what they see, and value their environment in proper perspective, then stimulate them to become actively involved in correcting the abuses to the environment, and in planning for its future wise use. We plan to bring environmental education to every part of the County. A. 1. To give school classes (and other visiting groups) an anything that can be achieved in a classroom, or at any other 2. To demonstrate to teachers the values of and techniques for environmental education and to carry out an active program of teacher education. 3. To instill in youth and adults an awareness of and appreciation for their environment, and to show individuals and groups how they can actively, effectively, and creatively involve themselves in correcting the abuses of natural resources. 4. To assume a role of leadership in brining to light, 5. To provide foundation experiences for youth which lead B. page 4 6. To demonstrate to all visitors the interrelatedness between all living and non-living natural resources and to demonstrate that there are many possible uses of natural resources including some very valuable ones such as esthetic appreciation, which require little or no alteration of natural orders. 7. To give guidance to schools in the county in developing better environmental education programs, and to give guidance when requested to other governmental agencies or bodies in the county with regard to the best application of known ecological principles to land-use planning, park development, and natural areas use. 8. To carry on an active program of adult education, civic leadership and youth advisor training, and to provide facilities and encouragement for seminars, workshops, university short courses, and group meetings concerned with the total environment. 9. To bring rural, suburban, and urban people closer together in understanding problems related to their shared use of natural resources, and to bridge the "understanding gap" that often exists between these people. 10. To encourage, co-sponsor with other educational institutions or to conduct active research in all phases of the environment, environmental education, and human behavior as related to the environment. 11. To assist in and encourage vocational training in the environmental sciences. 12. To provide a quality recreational facility for the people of Somerset County to allow them to relax and withdraw temporarily from the pressures of everyday life. List of Feasible Programs 1. 2. Natural History Field Schools a. Week-long (9:30-3:30 daily) sessions for youth in summer. 3. Naturalist aide program a. For high school youth to acquaint them with the natural world and vocations in environmental sciences. (Conducted Saturdays and after school). |