Submitted by Amanda Johnson
Metro Denver
Denver
Did you know that Colorado parks are being used twice as much as usual during the COVID-19 pandemic? Our Girl Scout Brownie troop noticed people were using parks more. We were excited about people loving our outdoor spaces until we observed that more use is bringing more litter.
Our third grade Girl Scout Brownies from Willow, Inspire, and Polaris Elementary Schools wanted to learn more. They researched litter online, conducted science experiments about litter’s impact on our environment, and learned about trash pollution from an expert at Denver Solid Waste Management.
Through our investigation, we learned the best ways to prevent litter are:
Remove existing litter. Seeing litter already accumulated in a park makes it likely others will also litter.
Encourage people to feel a connection to their parks. People who do not feel a sense of ownership for a park, or who believe someone else will clean up after them, are most likely to litter.
Our Brownies were inspired to take action!
We are organizing “Love The Earth Park Clean Up” the week of September 5-11, 2020. We are encouraging our neighbors to work with us in picking up litter in local parks with social distancing. If we all do a little ourselves, together we can love our earth and make a big difference!
Girl Scouts who participate can earn a special fun patch. Visit our website to learn more: http://troop65750.com/parkcleanup/
Our Brownies are working on our Outdoor Journey. We met virtually throughout the summer and once to record our videos. The girls thought creatively about how to create an event with a lot of people, but still have social distancing.
As a leader, I’m proud of their go-getter attitudes and leadership in creating “Love the Earth Park Clean Up.”
We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.