Every day, Calvert County citizens can take action to improve the health of the local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.  Have you ever wondered what you can do to help the environment?   Are you interested in the “eat local-grow local” movement?  Did you know that alternative energy sources are used in local schools and homes?  Did you know that you can report your bluebird data to a local agency?

CHESPAX, the environmental program of the Calvert County Public Schools, in partnership with a number of environmental agencies, will be presenting a workshop series that will help to answer these questions and many more.  The programs are designed for teachers, students and community members and will explain how individual citizens can have a positive impact on the health of the environment.  In this series, participants will learn practical ways to make a difference in their own backyard for the health of the Chesapeake Bay.  Workshops in the series include:

The Bounty of Our County: Eat Local/Grow Local – Tuesday, Dec. 8. Agriculture has long been a part of Calvert County’s heritage.  The movement to eat foods that have been grown closer to home has culinary, economic and environmental benefits. Join us to find out how your food choices can support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint one tomato at a time!   Barstow Elementary 6:30 - 8:15 p.m.  Free, but please register at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Alternative Energy: Energize your home and school – Wednesday, Jan. 20 2010 Energy costs have become an ever increasing part of our household and school system budgets.  Production of electricity through the burning of fossil fuels has been a major contributor to global climate change.  This workshop will feature some alternative energy production and conservation strategies for school and home that will help the environment and the budget.  Windy Hill Elementary: 6:30-8:00pm.  Free, but please register at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Citizen Monitoring is for the Birds!  Be part of something Big: Citizen Bird Monitoring – Feb. 11, 2010.  Birds are an important part of our local and our global environment.  Many bird species have begun a serious decline because of habitat loss and climate change.  There are several programs in which citizens, even very young ones, can become involved in the scientific monitoring of birdlife.  Please join us at Mutual Elementary School: 6:30 - 8 p.m. Free, but please register at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us

From the Bering Sea to the Chesapeake Bay Using 21st Century technology to bring science research to your desktop and classroom- Wednesday, April 14, 2010 The work of environmental scientists seems remote from our every day lives.  Through an exciting teacher-researcher initiative, the inner workings of the scientist in the field will come to life in this workshop.  Join us for a look at two programs, one local and one in Alaska and learn about resources for bringing environmental science to the classroom.   Calvert Elementary School: 6:30 - 8 p.m Free, but please register at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us

2nd Annual Calvert County Green Expo– Green School Presentations and Bluebird Box Building – May 2, 2010.  Calvert County Green Schools will showcase their work at this countywide event.  Workshops, displays and activities, including bluebird box building will highlight this green event. Jefferson Patterson Park: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 15 Free kits will be given away, but please register for the bluebird box building at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Workshops are free of charge and open to the public.  For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Michelle Daubon at the CHESPAX office at (410) 535-2960 or through e-mail at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us.  Workshop details available at www.calvertnet.k12.md.us

This workshop series is funded in part by the Chesapeake Bay Trust.