Sad, But True ~ "The Baltimore Sun" Ousts "Outdoors Girl"

This weekend I learned some very sad, unfortunate news on the environmental front for the state of Maryland.  The Baltimore Sun--Maryland's 175 year old newspaper and the one that has the largest circulation in the state--has decided to completely eliminate their Outdoors Section.  This decision was publicized this past Friday, July 15th...and it has met with some distinct public outcry.

"So what?" you ask.  "Why does that matter?" you ask.

It matters plenty.  Some would say (and have said so on the newly-formed "Save the Outdoor Sun" Facebook Page) that this is a "travesty."

The reasons are numerous...especially for a state like Maryland.  Maryland has 4,300 miles of shoreline with both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  With mountains to the west, beaches to the east, and state parks galore in between, Maryland is a state for outdoor enthusiasts.  Activities like hiking, fishing, boating, crabbing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and hunting all create an outdoorsy person's dreamland.

Of course, if the Outdoors Section of The Baltimore Sun goes away, that means: away goes Candus Thomson...and her expertise of the Bay (as she IS The Baltimore Sun's chief "Outdoors Girl."  The void becomes a chasm.

For the past dozen+ years, Candus Thomson has written about, advocated for, and shared stories of adventures (not to mention an exposé or two) of the Chesapeake Bay. Over here at Green Team Gazette, we've been fans for multiple reasons. I've followed her "Park Quest 24/7" the past two years and celebrated her triumphs.  I've heard her tell whoppers of fish tales to my daughter's second grade classroom at Eagle Cove School as a guest speaker (not to mention, inspire them to be writers).  I've followed her "Outdoors Girl" blog from The Sun.  Plus, on a few rare occasions, my family has even been lucky enough to camp, fish, and Park Quest, a time or two with her.  I've seen my daughter and her best gal pal watch Candy in an "I am woman hear me roar" kind of awe as Candy has succeeded swiftly in a traditionally male-centric, outdoorsy world.

Word on the street (or rather the Save The Outdoor Sun Facebook Page) is that The Sun's publisher Tim Ryan has stated that Candus' writing talents will be picked up by The Sun's Metro section. Consolation prize, if you ask me....or anyone who has read her column and seen her forté.

Why is The Sun doing this?  Rumors run the gamut.  It could be that it's from a dwindling readership so this is an economic decision.  Another thought is that The Sun would rather have more column space for the upcoming football season.  Perhaps we'll never know.

My question is:  How is any of this responsible journalism?  The syndicated news feeds will only cover so much.  So, if the problem is that economic times are tough & newspapers are becoming the latest extinct dinosaur, there still will always be a need for local stories..and more than just the crime report.  Maryland has a Governor that promotes environmental education and legislation. Case and point: Maryland's month-old decree that our high schoolers will be the first in our nation to have an environmental literacy requirement that must be met upon graduation.  Additionally, there is a strong statewide theme of "No Child Left Inside" as a way of countering "nature deficit disorder" & our growing disconnect with the great outdoors. There is the continued environmental education push of Maryland's Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators ( MAEOE) and their "MD Green School Certification" program.  (At this writing, there are nearly 400 Maryland "Green Schools" listed on MAEOE's site!) 

So in this state that leads the nation with its environmental advocacy, this is where The Sun, our leading state newspaper, is taking us?  They are loudly stating that our state and its natural resources are not important.  No, this is not responsible journalism; not in the least.

From the FB page, I think Heather Burton Boughey (daughter of The Sun's former Outdoor Writer of 30+ years and Chesapeake Bay Champion, Bill Burton) said it best: 

"Maryland needs someone to keep a watch over the bay and let us know what is going on.  Candy was that someone. She did an excellent job of it.... Who is going to be the voice of the Chesapeake?"

Reminds me a little bit of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax:

"I am the Lorax, and I'll yell and I'll shout for the fine things on Earth that are on their way out....  I am the Lorax.  I speak for the trees.  I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues."

Of course, when thinking of The Lorax, it reminds me of the other words of wisdom in this same book:  "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not."

So here we have The Sun, taking away from us that "someone who speaks for the trees" and the whole of the Chesapeake Bay...."someone who cares a whole awful lot,"and makes all of us care with her humor, wit, wisdom, and pointed truth.  That "someone" who is named Candus Thomson and her Outdoors Section.

And we will be left with what?  Not what we need, at least not what we need to be the environmental leading state that we could be.

Responsible journalistic decisions?  No, Baltimore Sun, this is not.  Please reconsider this grave error.

Clearly The Sun is being shortsighted and needs to hear about it.  You can take action and share your views in many ways:

--Contact the Sun and firmly request that they reinstate the Outdoors Section ("cc" all of four with your email):

• Sun Publisher, Tim Ryan: tim.ryan@baltsun.com
• Content Manager, Mary Corey: mary.corey@baltsun.com
• Head of Digital Media, Trif Alatzas: trif.alatzas@baltsun.com
• Sports Editor, Ron Fritz: ron.fritz@baltsun.com

--Write a "Readers Response" letter to the sun:  Write a Letter to the Editor including your name and address, along with day and evening telephone numbers to:

Talk Back
The Sun, P.O. Box 1377
Baltimore, MD 21278-0001

--Join the Facebook group "Save the Outdoor Sun

--"Tweet" your thoughts on Twitter--direct it @baltimoresun, #baltimoresun &/or #candythomson

--Enlist the help of your friends by sharing these avenues and encouraging them to do he same.

Images from:  header = http://www.baltimoresun.com; Picture of Candus Thomson Outdoors Girl header from http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/outdoors/blog/; in the classroom--a visit to Eagle Cove School highlighted in 4-1-2010's GTG:  http://greenteamgazette.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html, Lorax picture from http://thebattricycle.tumblr.com

F is for Fabulous Finds: Free Technology For Teachers #GETABC

F is for Fabu-Find:

Free Technology

For Teachers
(Part 1 of 2)

Sometimes I feel so behind the times, which is frustrating for this girl, who is really pretty techno-savvy.  It makes me worry about the rest of the world.  I've taught in five schools in 3 states in my career; and, I've know more educators who are fearful or uncomfortable with computers than those who are true facilitators. If I, in my tech-savvy-state, am feeling behind, then there HAS to be a flurry of folks who are behind me in the cyberspace. 
Lucky for all of us, there's my go-to guy when I'm feeling out of the loop....Richard Byrne is second to none, except perhaps when it comes to Cybraryman!  Richard Byrne has got his finger on the pulse, and knows all about all when it comes to integrating the world of tech-ed!!  With a background in teaching both high school history and civics, Google Certified Teacher Richard Byrne knows his stuff.  If you are wondering about the internet and it's capability of helping you in the classroom, Richard Byrne & Free Technology for Teachers is your man! 

Be there, or be square.

F Picture from http://www.freefoto.com/, banner photo from http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of Green, Education, and Technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to http://greenteamgazette.blogspot.com/2011/07/true-confessions-whirling-dervishes.html

E = Eight Ways to Explore Endangered Animals via Arkive #GETABC

E is for Eight Ways to Explore Endangered Animals with ARKive 

Today's #GETABC (#Green, #Education & #Tech) find takes us to ARKive. ARKive is another perennial favorite of mine...and my daughter's.  If you are an animal lover, you'll definitely be eager to eat it up!

I'll leave it to Sir David Attenborough & this video to give you (& your students) an introduction to this collection of 12,000+ species profiles [most threatened, endangered, or even extinct], 7,000+ animal videos, & the 66,000+ animal photographs.

Here are 8 ways to explore the world of endangered animals using ARKive in your classroom.

1.  Invite your students to find their favorite animals to learn a little bit more about them.

2.   Use it as research using the brainstorm sheet below or get it at Slideshare.

ARKive brainstorm sheet

View more documents from Vicki Dabrowka

3.  Search for Teaching Resources by Age Level:   Ages 5-7, 7-11, 11-14, and 14-16.

4.  Excite your youngsters by inviting them to play some of the ARKive Educational Games.
 
5.  Have students search Animals by Geography & build & expand their mapping skills.

6. Investigate Climate Change and the animals affected by it.

7. Invite your students to send an Eco E-card, or login to create Environmental scrapbooks.

8. Build your resource files as a teacher by visiting Education in Arkive.
 
Sooo many animals...so little time!!

Pics:  The ARKive image is from its website.  The letter E pic from http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa10/sjtoback/Content%201.html

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of Green, Education, and Technology, "GET" & this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC & give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

D = Digital Vaults #GETABC

D is for Digital Vaults (Part 2 of a "D" Duo)

 

The second part of GTG’s “D” duo has us dropping by another department of the US's government:  The National Archives.  There, you can dive into their Digital Vaults, where you can delve into oodles of digital images which will direct you on a photographic documentation through history. 

With more than 10 billion records and primary source documents for you to explore, it certainly is a wealth worth discovering!  In addition to photos and info galore, you can also find all sorts of resources for teachers including lesson plans, student activities, and online resources for Teachers ["Docs Teach" and "Professional Development"].

There’s also a “Create” link on the site where you can create your own historic posters, movies, or “Pathway Challenge”  to showcase the connections between historic events.  It all might get you looking at history through new eyes!

Environmental

Education Applications:

Needless to say, the biggest uses for Digital Vaults will be in the field of Social Studies given the nature of their historical images. 

However, you can go into the search mode along the bottom bar, then type searches by keyword based on your unit of study.  Keyword searches of “environment” or “National Parks” are definitely 2 great eco-explorations.  Choose a picture to bring to center, and history begins to unfold before your eyes. Click the pictures to learn more or rearrange them for a new vantage point into history.  The images can serve as an excellent springboard for introducing or extending concepts.  Likewise, the digital images and information can serve as an excellent resource for research and writing.

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of Green, Education, and Technology, "GET" & this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC & give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

Digital Vault image from http://www.nikolasschiller.com/blog/index.php/archives/2008/04/

and "D" photo from http://www.balloonmaniacs.com/.

D = Displaying Data #GETABC

D is for Displaying Data (Part 1 of a "D" Duo)

There's a dynamic duo for the letter D, both by way of Washington, DC.  Start today with Part 1...Grab some real-world numbers, then input the detailed data using the National Center for Education Statistics' "Create a Graph" Website to make a dynamic display:

We all know that graphing is an essential math skill.  The "Create a Graph" website is wonderfully kid-friendly, and the site takes kids step-by-step through the process of creating very polished graphs.  Provide your students with a set of data, then let them chose whether they want to make a bar, line, area, pie or xy graph. 

I've had incredible success with this site and my 3rd graders if I provide them with a detailed list of instructions.  Check out page 2 of my Slideshare document below or click here to see the directions & graphing instructions for "Computer Graph Attack:  Graphing Waste Per Person, Per Pound, Per Country."  Go the extra mile by having students do the activity, graphing the waste per capita per country.

Green team gazette 3.5 january 2011

View more documents from Vicki Dabrowka.

Environmental Education Applications:
Math & Science go hand in hand, so of course that includes environmental science.  Here are some good places to find data.If need be, create instruction lists of your own patterned off of the example here.

--FactMonster.com has a lot of graph-worthy, statistical information that is kid-friendly, such as The Least & Most Polluting Vehicles. Other FactMonster eco-data can be found here, by theme or at World and News.
--Environmental Information for Kids from People Powered Machines has kid-centric data too.

--Find EPA data sets from here.

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of Green, Education, and Technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

Photo from listed website and "D" photo from http://www.balloonmaniacs.com. un 

C = Computer Guru: Cybraryman #GETABC

C is for

Computer Guru:  Cybraryman

Can we say—Ei yie yie, Cowabunga!  A collection galore calls and beckons from our favorite computer connoisseur, Cybraryman. He has capitalized the corner of the market finding and storing classroom connections in cyberspace.  Once you find him, you’re called in, linking away.  You just can’t stay away from all of these resources!!

For 30 years, Cybraryman (aka, Jerry Blumengarten) has been collecting educational goodies.  You can find whatever you are looking for there by theme, sub-theme, grade level, and more. Additionally, enter his portal by way of “parent,” educator,” “student,” and “general interest.”  [The latter of which for hobbies, games, travel, finance, cleaning, cooking, crafts, repairs, sports and more!]

Yes, he has the corner of the market, and if you haven’t discovered him:  Get thee to Cybraryman!!

Environmental Education Applications: 

Be sure to check out his “Science Pages” link (under subject levels)—particularly “Environment,” “Earth Science,” or “Biomes.”  Likewise, be sure to investigate his Tuesday night 9pm EST #scichat Twitter thread.

Get yourself there; you'll be lost for days in resources!

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of green, education, and technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

Photo from listed website and "C" http://www.iconarchive.com/random.html?res=256&page=1&cat=alphabet&style=fun 

B = A Bounty: Bay Backpack & Books #GETABC

B is for BayBackpack. and Books 

A bounty abounds for B ...with 2 eco-resources for you.  Begin by going to BayBackpack where you'll discover a bevy of classroom finds involving MWEE: Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.  Then go to Childsake where you can get a birds-eye view of the best environmental books to collect to begin to build your eco-bookshelf--from botanicals to biodiversity!

B is for BayBackpack.  

What is a "Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience?"  Watch & learn.

BayBackpack is a favorite I've written about before, but it bodes another mention.

In this extensive watershed-portal, you can search by grade level, academic subjects, state standards/curricular standards, resource types [ie, books, data, lessons, maps, or multimedia] or do a keyword search for any of these topics:

acid rain ~ adaptation ~ agriculture ~ air pollution & fossil fuels ~ aquatic grasses (SAV) ~  beaver ~ biodiversity ~ blue crab ~ boats, canoes, & kayaks ~ climate change ~ culture & watermen ~ development ~ dissolved oxygen ~ economics ~ ecosystem & biomes ~ erosion ~ experiments & investigations ~ fish ~ food web ~ forest ~ habitat & niche ~ identification ~ invasive species ~ John Smith & Colonial times ~ land use ~ litter, trash & recycling ~ Native American ~ nitrogen & carbon cycle ~ non-point source ~ orienteering ~ oysters ~ photosynthesis ~ point source ~ pollution ~ population growth ~ predator/prey relationships ~ renewable resource ~ restoration ~ salinity ~ schoolyard habitat ~ sediment, soil & rocks ~ smart growth ~ stormwater ~ stream study ~ student action ~ transportation ~ water & energy conservation ~ water cycle & movement ~ water quality ~ water testing ~ watershed ~ weather ~ wetland ~ wildlife

B is for Books
(Eco-Books, that is!)

Anywhere where there's 400 of anything is something impressive.  Well, that's what you get at http://childsake.com/.  The 400 of what you get is at Childsake, and it's 400 Nature and Environmental books for all ages.  At the website, you can find the books by theme or by ABC order.  When you click on a book title, you get a brief synopsis, see a cover image, and are directed (by way of a one-way click-ticket) to Amazon.com to make life nice and easy for your ordering pleasure.  You'll also get resources for parents and educators.  With a mission "To inspire and educate children about the natural world and the environment" and " To strive to make this world a better home for the future of all children," Childsake knows what it is doing!  Book Topics include: 

Experience of Nature ~ The Living Earth ~ Water & Its Cycle ~ Habitats & Ecosystems  ~ Naturalists & Their Work ~ Animals  [Various Classes, Spineless Creatures, Fish. Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals] ~ Flora  [Plants & Flowers, Trees & Forests, Gardening] ~ Environmental Themes  [Extinction & Conservation, Global Warming, Pollution & Sustainablity, Recycling & Composting, Field Guides & Activity Books, Multicultural]

Great environmental finds at both! 
"Be" sure to check them out!!   

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of Green, Education, and Technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

Logos from listed websites above, "B" image from http://www.123rf.com/photo_4264017_capital-letter-r-made-of-grass--blue-sky.html.

A = Apps #GETABC

Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of green, education, and technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

Cookie Monster's Sesame Street song "C is for Cookie" is totally coming to mind as I embark on this new series.

Well, A is for Apps...
Specifically, Apps for the Environment!

They abound. They amuse. They definitely can make learning attractive, and we admire how they can awaken our approach to learning. We appreciate and accept that they're here to stay, and that they have a lot of allure and appeal for some learners.

There are tons of apps out there for smartphones and iPads out there for everything, so of course it goes without saying that they're there for the environmental world too.

But more will soon be on the way! 

Thanks now to the EPA, there's an active hunt for the newest app.  In a call to software developers called "Apps for the Environment," the EPA is urging them to come up with create apps that utilize the government's environmental  data to help "Joe and Jane Citizen."  On their website, not only do they have links to their data, but they also have their existing eco-apps, and their list of ideas for new apps.  The challenge runs through Sept, 16th, 2011.

Check out the video here to learn more about "Apps for the Environment."

To learn more, take on the challenge, or even just leave ideas for what you hope developers will create, go to http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment/ or http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/17/there-ought-be-environmental-app.

A is also for A Lot More Apps:

Here are some other resources for Green Apps that are out there...although they all may not all be suitable for your eco-classroom, they give you loads of good information to help darken your shade o'green!

"9 Green iPad Aps"s from Huffington Post ~

Featuring the following apps: Solar Panel Advisor, iBooks, iGrowit, Maya Sprocket, Sound Paper, Off Remote, Instapaper, Control4, and Diner Dash: Grilling Green (a game to encourage healthier eating) 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/9-green-ipad-apps-photos_n_652917.html#s110256&title=Solar_Panel_Advisor

"7 Cool Green iPhone Apps" from Practical Environmentalist ~
Featuring" Find Green, Carbon Calc, Green Book Lite, Eco Finder, Treehugger, Good Guide, GreenPeace Tissue Guide, and The Power of Green http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/eco-gadgets/7-green-environment-iphone-apps.htm

"10 Climate Science Apps for the iPhone & iPad" from Planetsave ~
Featuring: EarthObserver, Skeptical Science, Climate Counts, Climate Wise Pro, DriveAlternatives, Arctic Watch, Drought Monitor, Vestas Monitor, RadarScope, and Climate Mobile  http://planetsave.com/2011/01/13/10-climate-science-apps-for-the-iphone-ipad/

"5 iPhone Apps for Green Environment Education" from Comptalks ~

Featuring: Three Trees, Let's Go Chipper, Sally the Salmon, Chipper in the Parks, Bruce the Slug  http://www.comptalks.com/5-iphone-apps-for-green-environment-education/

And a few environmental education finds of my own (though no, I haven't tried them out) for iPads & iPhones ~ check out the app store at http:// for thesewww.itunes.com
-iEcology XL
-Marine Debris Tracker
-Happy Planet
-The Hidden Park
-Environmental Educator
-Environmental Dictionary
-Green News Reader
-World Oil Spill Locator
-Eco Innovators Sustainability Quiz
-Green Dictionary
-and of course, Google Earth!


Images from http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/C_is_for_Cookie_(song), http://www.epa.gov, and http://www.sizzlingbit.com/

Note:  The EPA website was running on diminished capacity during the weekend of July 1st--4th, 2011 for scheduled maintenance, which is when I posted this... so the "Apps For Education" website might come up with an apology notice saying all of the applications might not be available.  According to the website, it is due to be fully operational July 4th at 8 am, EST.

True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes: #GETABC

True Confessions:
So far this summer I feel like a "whirling dervish." 

This summer, I'm the girl released into the wild with too many choices at hand....aka: I'm the teacher released into the freedom of summer with too many things I want (and need) to do and pursue.

So much so, I'm spinning....like a kid newly-released into the mecca called "Toys 'R Us."  Or, in my case, "Tech 'R Us."  I want, I want, I want....Combine the Internet with my techy-absorbed nature, PLUS the wealth that's called "cyberspace"...ei yie yie!!

I want to learn, absorb, soak in, do so much, regarding...

• Acquiring all the "technology in education" I can (I have been sooo inspired by all the "tech in ed" tweeters I've been following about #iste11 from http://www.iste.org/,
• Digging into the latest in the Green World,
• Walking, best shoes, and all other necessary things for my Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk this Sept. 23 (http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/WashingtonDCEvent2011?px=5774986&pg=personal&fr_id=1623)
• Having quality time w/my own "dynamic duo,"
• Reading good books from the stockpile of all I've set aside,
• Spending time catching up with friends via phone, email, and in person,
• Visiting with family both near and far,
• Spending time outdoors
• Catching up w/my email...

Here in-lies the swirling dervish!!

So what's a girl to do, other than get exasperated & exhausted around the edges of her own, personally-created overwhelm?  She needs to grasp a handle on reality as there aren't enough hours in the day! 

I think in a lot of ways, this is how many people feel about the environmental movement.  Looking at the breadth and depth of it all, it seems like an endless ocean.  A tiny little rowboat can get lost tossed by the waves of unsureness and feelings of insignificance.  In an ocean of nurdles, plastic trash, and minutia!!

The over-riding message in the last 3 years of my environmental pursuits is that little steps can accomplish a great deal. If we all move forward with our baby steps, big changes are on the horizon by working together.  Today's a collaborative society.  Environmentalism is a collaborate solution.

Maybe I need to take heed of that philosophy.  1/2 hour or more a day of educational training a day...add in bite-sized bitz: where will it all get me come this September?  In focusing on the little items, maybe it won't feel so overwhelming to want to conquer the world.

(Can we say Adult Onset ADHD?)

But wait!!  Major "Ah Ha" moment....Inspiration meets Confession!

Why not go the route of  "One-Stop Shopping?"  Perhaps if I try to combine my goals, then!! perhaps I will arrive at my final destination!!?!  I want to gleen more regarding both environmental education & tech education.  What if (crazy me!) I go the combination route, and research the realm of "tech ed" under the layer of the "eco-ed?"  Pursuit meets purpose!!

So enter analysis:  What am I the most "into?"  Green. Education. Technology:  "G.E.T." 

Let me go and get "G.E.T!"  Add in, it strikes me almost in an "alphabet soup sort of way"...so perhaps I go and get" "GET" ABC-style!  Yes!   A series of 26 eco-tech-ed!!

So stay tuned...I've got a ton of goods ,in fact 26 "GET" goods, on the horizon!!  At the end of the summer, we'll all be the wiser!!  Along the way, be on the lookout for this thread by way of twitter thru #GETABC!! 

Images from http://carofoto.zenfolio.com/, http://gadsta.com/lenovo-eco-friendly-laptops/, http://mosaicaeducation.com/paragon/paragon-integrates-technology-and-computer-literacy/,  

4th Grade Activist Takes on KFC!

Here's a kid to care about!!

Cole Rasenberger, a 4th grader, has done more in terms of environmental action than most of us.

Upon learning of Kentucky Fried Chicken's packaging practice of cutting down wetland trees (see http://www.dogwoodalliance.org/ or 

 http://www.care2.com/causes/stop-kfc-from-destroying-our-forests.html), this young fella decided to do a little something about it!

Check out this video below highlighting Cole and his KFC mission from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDq27iFdSvI&feature=related.

Although KFC has yet to do anything (aside from giving him and his pals a coupon for their next meal off)!

For more about Cole Rasenberger, including when he took on McDonald's packaging (with greater success!), check out http://www.care2.com/causes/nine-year-old-wins-award-for-work-in-sustainable-packaging.html.  Also check out Cole's Flickr Photostream about his McDonald's project at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogwoodalliance/sets/72157618890139277/

Due to Cole's environmental efforts, he also has recieved the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.  He was one of 10 national winners for this award, and was featured in the March 2010 “Ranger Rick” magazine.  Way to go Cole! 

KFC picture from http://www.dogwoodalliance.org/, an organization dedicated to holding corporations (particularly in the South) accountable for their forestry practices in an attempt to bring about positve industrial/environmental changes.

Picture of Cole from http://davidsonnews.net/arounddavidson/2011/01/04/a-proud-grandpa-a-congratulations-and-chicken-tractors/ .