10/5/00—Bozeman

We are a club for kids who help the Earth by practicing Pollution Prevention--which is also known as P2 (two P’s, get it?).

P2 simply means "don't let things go to waste." Things we throw "away" still  have to go somewhere, like on or under the ground, in streams, rivers, or lakes, or into the air (have you heard about the pollution orbiting earth from astronauts and satellites?). Even outer space is a place! Wouldn’t it be awful to finally get to Mars and find orange peels there? A lot of the stuff in our trash doesn’t just go away. When we put less in our trash, we prevent pollution­before it happens.

Where do you put it if not in the trash? Well, as an EnviroRanger  that’s what you’ll learn­as well as ways not to get it in the first place. Sound impossible? Better join! As an EnviroRanger you will learn more about what pollution is, what pollution does, and simple ways that businesses, schools, farms, homes, families, and kids can prevent it. You can also help teach others that P2 can be fun!

To become a member of the P2 EnviroRangers Web Club, you must be younger than 15 and have your parents' permission. As a member you can win patches and prizes (like frisbees or lunch bags) by doing P2 activities related to:
1)  your own home,
2) the community where you live,
3) farming or ranching,
4) communication and technology, or
5) running a business.

Activities are being added and improved constantly, so check in often and see what P2 EnviroRangers have been doing to help their communities. We’d love to include your activities on our web page too! We welcome individuals, groups, clubs, and classes.

For more information see http://www.montana.edu/wwwp2er/ or contact Joanne Wilke (also known as ChickenWoman) at ewilke@montana.edu or 406/994-4463. The P2 EnviroRangers Web Club is hosted by the Montana State University Extension Service Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center. May no trash be with you!

Membership in the club, called the P2 Enviro-Rangers, is free to all kids age 18 and under in Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The club was created through a mini-grant from the Region 8 Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Center. Pollution Prevention ("P2") is also referred to as "source reduction" and "waste minimization."  It includes any activity that reduces or eliminates pollutants prior to recycling, treatment, control or disposal, such as buying toys and other items that will last a long time and won't break easily, using reusable plates and napkins instead of throwing away disposable ones , and using less hazardous materials for painting and cleaning.

P2 Enviro-Rangers members can choose from a variety of P2-related activities, and by registering and completing activities, kids can earn iron-on patches, frisbees, sports bottles and insulated lunch bags. The club also offers the opportunity for members to meet other P2ER members on-line.

Teachers, youth leaders and other adults who would like to promote the club to youth may receive free bookmarks and other publicity materials .
Club registration and information is on-line at www.montana.edu/wwwp2er

Please send  questions or comments (plus your name, location and the subject of the story you read) to Suzi Taylor and Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or email us at: carolf@montana.edu.

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