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As part of his job as schools waste reduction coordinator, which is a special short term USDA grant-funded position, Gary Noren has helped to introduce the "Conserving Classroom" into school districts around this region.

Noren works with classrooms that are consciously trying to re-use, reduce and recycle in many Chisago County school buildings. (He's also coordinating the composting of lunchroom food waste in some area schools.)

Noren said Shanda Waller and Kevin Backer, Lakeside Elementary School instructors, were original promoters of the conserving classroom program. Chisago Lakes' Primary School, Taylors Falls, North Branch, Rush City also have participating classrooms.

As part of the Conserving Classroom requirements, there's a special calendar classes rely on for lesson ideas, and it features reading suggestions and a tip for almost every day of the year to conserve waste and reduce unnecessary consumption.

Noren likes to share a story from Waller's class about the student who insisted her snack come with her to school in a reuseable container instead of disposable plastic baggies.

The containers had begun to pile up in her locker and at parent teacher conference time the parents informed Mrs. Waller that the student agreed her "punishment" should she fail to remember to bring the container home-- would be returning to the dreaded wasteful baggies.

Teachers tell Noren they are hearing feedback from parents about how the students are advocates for the conservation message.

The calendar format is easy to use in the classroom and is a daily reminder of environmentally sound practices. Under the program guidelines a "Conserving Classroom" maintains lower thermostat temps in winter, eliminates mercury, makes sure lights are off when nobody's in the room and follows rules for smart paper use.

The calendar contains notations on days of special accomplishments such as the day the Appalachian Trail was established, or the Clean Waters Act was adopted by Congress. There are websites highlighted at various times of the year for additional information on subjects. For December, calendar suggestions include give a homemade bird feeder as a gift, use old maps for wrapping paper, and offer services by way of personalized "coupons" people may redeem.

You can reach Noren by calling 651-213-8921 or e mail to [email protected] if you have an idea for utilizing his expertise or if you'd be interested in more details on the Conserving Classroom.

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