COLUMBUS, Ohio –
As Earth Day approaches, youth at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Child Development Center learn about reuse, reduce and recycle.
Nicole Goicochea, lead
environmental protection specialist at the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, spoke with seven preschool and prekindergarten classrooms about the environment April 15.
The discussion focused on landfills and why it’s important to reduce the amount of refuse generated.
“They’re already avid recyclers,” Goicochea said. “They also mentioned giving their old toys and clothes to children who need them.”
The Center has been working on interactive activities such as songs about recycling and crafts made from items that would have been otherwise destined for the landfill.
Additionally, children in these classrooms assist with the Center’s sensory and vegetable garden. The children are responsible for the upkeep of the garden from planting, weeding and maintaining, to harvesting and enjoying.
“I felt it was important for the kids to not only spend time outside, but to learn about their environment – where their food comes from, that water doesn’t just come from a faucet, that they can contribute to the environment,” Goicochea said.
For associates who want to volunteer, the CDC Garden Team provides support by weeding and helping maintain the MWR Child Development Center sensory garden.