Karen Brown is an award-winning designer who is the creative director for the Center for Ecoliteracy. Karen’s primary area of creative interest is communicating with general audiences on issues of ecological literacy, education, and re-localization. Her work has been included in the Smithsonian Institution and Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, as well as NBC’s Today Show. She offers a fun DIY project at the end of this post!
My name is Karen Brown and I’m lucky. I have the opportunity to combine a creative career with work in sustainability education. I’m the creative director for the Center for Ecoliteracy, an organization that has supported and advanced education for sustainable living for nearly 20 years.
At the Center, our work stems from our conviction that the best hope for learning to live sustainably lies in schooling that engages students with the natural world. We believe that when students understand how nature sustains life, they learn how to nurture healthy communities — communities with a sense of connection to people and the living world that supports them.
Our Smart by Nature initiative encourages hands-on, projected-based, experiential learning that engages students’ heads, hearts, hands and spirits. So for Earth Day and Etsy, I’m delighted to share handmade projects from four ecologically minded schools — the work of future designers, architects, inventors, farmers and artists of all kinds, engaged in discovering ways to live more harmoniously with nature.
In Belfast, Maine, the Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project integrates academic learning with organic gardening practices. In addition to managing the garden, students run their own green businesses. For example, the Troy Howard Seed Division grows, gathers, and sells heirloom seeds in packets the students print themselves from their own linoleum block designs:
Founded during the Depression in 1932, Midland School in Los Olivos, California, supports students in distinguishing “needs” from “wants.” Midland started as an experiment to build character in lean economic times. “What we discovered is that what’s good for individual character is also good for the community,” says Midland’s director of environmental programs, Lise Goddard. This ethic is integrated into Midland’s curriculum and daily campus life. For example, a student science assignment on native insects included model-building. True to Midland’s philosophy of “needs vs. wants,” visual art teacher Ashleigh Rosa asked students to use only found materials (like acorns, feathers, twigs, and catkins) rather than new supplies to create accurate representations of their chosen invertebrate. Here are some superlatively creepy-beautiful models, representing a native tarantula, housefly, and dragonfly, by Midland students Miles Dakin, Charlie Lehman, and Leah Kaplan:
At the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, teacher Nina Nathan helped students investigate which art supplies were toxic and which were environmentally preferable. In a related art project, students collected paper from recycling bins around campus and used it to produce handcrafted paper for a beautiful paper “quilt.” Says Nathan: “Students learned that you can take pieces that would otherwise be considered junk and make something beautiful out of them — something that makes people happy and lifts their spirits.”
We want to acknowledge one of the most gifted educators we have known, the late Dee Uyeda from Park School in Mill Valley, California. “Dee used the arts to integrate emotional, social, and ecological intelligence in her classroom, in the garden, and in the nearby watershed,” says Center for Ecoliteracy executive director Zenobia Barlow. One of Dee’s signature activities was the creation of “habitat hats.” Students collected local natural materials and combined them with their own artwork, origami, and one-of-a-kind construction techniques to craft wearable expressions of their connection to the natural world:
Etsy asked for a few tips to support a child’s learning about sustainable living at home.
Here are some ideas:
Spend time with your child outdoors. Many children today spend about 98% of their time inside. It’s difficult to care deeply about a planet you never see. Outdoor activities also have the added benefits of fresh air and healthy exercise.
Take a look at your consumption as a family. Etsy is one of the best places to see examples of how to reuse, recycle, upcycle, and make do with less. Discuss with your child how intangibles like love, respect, and contributing to a community provide deeper meaning than new “stuff,” are more fulfilling personally, and are better for the planet.
Get involved in your child’s schooling. Do you know whether your child’s school has a garden, a recycling program, or a healthy school lunch made with fresh, local ingredients? Spend some time to find out, and see whether you might like to take a role in the school’s “green” activities.
Here are some great activities for learning about the environment at home:
DIY: Make a mini greenhouse out of an old CD case: This is a fun educational activity you can do at home to show how to recycle an otherwise wasted material, and to observe how seeds germinate and grow. In about 10 days your radish seeds will become well-developed seedlings!
Materials:
- 1 Plastic CD case, with at least one clear side
- Radish seeds
- Paper towels, blotter
- Paper, or absorbent fabric (we used a scrap of green craft felt in ours)
What to do:
- Soak radish seeds overnight. You’ll need about four seeds for each mini greenhouse.
- Cut absorbent paper or fabric to fit inside the CD case. Wet the paper or fabric thoroughly.
- Place two soaked seeds on the wet paper or fabric on either side of the center hub inside the case and snap the case shut:
- Every day, water your seeds by pouring a little water around the edges of the case or through the holes in the back (if your case is the kind that has holes.) Do NOT open the case to water because the seedlings might wash out or get damaged.
Be sure your seedlings get sun every day. Put your mini greenhouse on or near a windowsill. Living things — especially very young things like seedlings or baby animals — are delicate. Be careful that your seeds do not get too hot from too much direct sun; also be careful that they do not freeze by placing them near a window in a cold climate. After about 10 days, you can gently open the edges of the case a little. If you do, your seedlings may continue to grow above the case, and the roots may grow below the case.
Seedlings grown this way sometimes do not transplant easily, but you can try lifting out the paper or fabric and gently covering it with soil. Keep the green parts of the seedlings above the soil line and keep the soil moist. Download full instructions for the activity as a PDF here.
To see how seedlings grow over time, watch our time-lapse video.
Here’s another at-home activity you can do:
“What do you need? What do you want?” At home, you can generate a thoughtful discussion about needs, wants, and values by downloading the Center’s “What Do You Need?, What Do You Want?” activity, which includes 32 color cards and instructions, download the activity as a PDF here.
Thanks to Karen and Ecoliteracy for sharing their inspiring work and take-home ideas!
More Earth Day Posts | Eco-Friendly How-To’s | How-Tuesday Posts
96 comments
Sign in to add your ownsaintesmariesjewelry says:
Beautiful Article! this is so Etsy! nothing better than producing environmentally conscious goods!
2 years ago
handmadepretties says:
The CD greenhouse is GREAT! I know what I'll be doing with the kids this week : )
2 years ago
GreenRoomStudios says:
Great article! It's so important for us all to learn about sustainable living. And I love that moss ring!
2 years ago
bylynnkrestel says:
great - great article! tips and ideas...just wonderful info thanks!
2 years ago
trashbaggs says:
i'd like to think i am one of those 'kids'! love recycling!!
2 years ago
seragun says:
Great article,thanks
2 years ago
craftscafe says:
Happy Earth Day! I find repurposing very inspiring & blog about my projects about it here: http://craftscafe.wordpress.com/category/re-purposing/ Even my craft space is full of repurposed containers for beads, chains, paper, fabrics. Thank you for reminding us about needs vs. wants!
2 years ago
BululuStudio says:
Great article, it's good to be green.
2 years ago
KamiMono says:
When I was a kid I made a greenhouse out of a narrow plastic box similar to the CD greenhouse! I don't have children, but my boyfriend and I area always constantly depriving ourselves from our "wants." We live in a very, very tiny apartment, so wanting a lot means too much accumulation of stuff, and then we wouldn't have any room to move!
2 years ago
yaelfran says:
wonderful article!!!!!!
2 years ago
dreamyvintage says:
Happy Earth Day! Thank you for the great article :)
2 years ago
ikabags says:
Lovely and great article, thanks a lot :) Love greens, love life with greeens !
2 years ago
soule says:
this is so cool! all of it! I think I'm going to try the cd case greenhouse with my kids........
2 years ago
StitchSprite says:
Awesome article! Love the insects!!!
2 years ago
redyellowandblueink says:
this is great post! I was pleasantly surprised with feedback I got on one of my upcycled traffic lens bird feeders I sell here on etsy. The person wrote me after getting the bird feeder for her nephew and said it was a great teaching tool for him. The bird feeder touched so many points-eco friendly upcycle design, nature-birds, and a traffic lesson. I was really pleased with what my customer and her nephew got from the bird feeder, totally opened my eyes to even more possibilities than I even imagined. Love this post and the cd case green house is one I haven't seen before-really cool. Those insects rock!
2 years ago
breadandroses2 says:
So glad to see this. Kind of sad that it even needs to be said: "Spend time with your child outdoors. Many children today spend about 98% of their time inside. It's difficult to care deeply about a planet you never see." Certainly applies to all ages, too. My experience working as a hands-on, outdoors environmental educator has shown me that inner city kids from immigrant and/or lower socio-economic groups are incredibly enthusiastic about these issues & care deeply. They're also by far the most fun to work with & keep my inner 10 yr. old alive & well! Thanks so much, Karen.
2 years ago
funkomavintage says:
such a lovely and inspirational post...I'm so happy to see the values of the anti-war flower children being recycled to become mainstream...I love the health care card slipped in the Needs/Wants game.
2 years ago
BambuEarth says:
This is awesome! :D I love this...
2 years ago
candacejean says:
This is absolutely WONDERFUL! I love this.. it makes me so happy that there is a "Center for Ecoliteracy"! Such great finds here, and what a fun project for kids (and grown-ups alike)! We'll have to give the greenhouse a try. That card game looks fantastic as well. I found an amazing old book called "exploring nature with your child" from the 50's that I just love, and my son already has a habit of rinsing his plastic applesauce and yogurt cups to put in the recycle bin. Makes me happy! I'm glad more are learning to appreciate nature more often and are striving to be green.
2 years ago
candacejean says:
PS. the handmade insects are absolutely amazing.
2 years ago
NeedSomeBling says:
Those model insects are absolutely amazing! The spider especially looks like the real thing!
2 years ago
diannek says:
How inspirational, loved this story thanks
2 years ago
zengardendesigns says:
Excellent ideas! Very creative!
2 years ago
sarahndipities says:
Wonderful article! Love all of the fun ideas...can't wait to try some out with my little ones!
2 years ago
Tias says:
Brilliant spider!
2 years ago
Ebruk says:
Great article.
2 years ago
thewhimsytrove says:
I just loved this. And I never thought of using a CD case for starting seeds. I'm going to try it.
2 years ago
ohbabydotcom says:
Very clever - CD cover as mini-greenhouse! Wow! Never would have imagined that one.
2 years ago
melaniefavreau says:
Thanks a lot Karen! :) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43154128
2 years ago
kissadesign says:
What a fabulous article! And how inspiring for all of us!
2 years ago
mazedasastoat says:
Fabulous! And those insects are just amazing! I was raised with the hand made, re-use, recycle, make do & mend attitude because I was brought up by a single mother & we couldn't afford the kind of stuff that other kids had... but I never felt deprived or hard done by.
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Great article!
2 years ago
ClementinesJewelry says:
Great!!!
2 years ago
sfgirlbybay says:
Thanks so much for including my orange print! Lovely collection!
2 years ago
SwingStationStudio says:
I love this! That spider had me fooled! Great reminder for us all to be more mindful of our waste and our world.
2 years ago
polarity says:
GREAT article- love the what do you need/what do you want activity, too!
2 years ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
Great article - the CD cover greenhouse is awsesome!!
2 years ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Great article. The tarantula and bugs are fabulous! Just started my God Daughter on a garden. She will be the "Pumpkin Queen!"
2 years ago
birdie1 says:
Amazing - LOVE the "found materials only" insects!
2 years ago
Hammermann says:
Interesting post! Go green and happy gardening!
2 years ago
worksofwhimsy says:
Inspirational. Those prints, insects, hats and quilts are fantastic. A creative teacher can accomplish amazing things with his or her students.
2 years ago
maggiemaevintage says:
it's so important to educate one person at a time about the eco-system and how it works. Kudos!
2 years ago
JeansVintageCloset says:
amber soap with insect and the knitted power cord are so interesting
2 years ago
accentonvintage says:
Great article!! It's so important to teach the young !
2 years ago
okaySK says:
Great Article. stirs the imagination for kids even the big ones!
2 years ago
pinkytoeclothing says:
This article is wonderful and inspiring. Thank you!
2 years ago
MaaPstudio says:
Oh those insects are just amazing! Interesting post!
2 years ago
annalisap says:
Stunning, sublime, superb! Thoughful, insightful, inspiring! Thank you Ms.Brown for your sensitive, lush and fabulous work. Cannot wait for more.....
2 years ago
YouAreYou says:
oh my goodness such cool tips! Great article!
2 years ago
mymarketstall says:
Thank you Karen! Great article. Love the insects, they look so real. Going to try the CD greenhouse idea for starting seedlings.
2 years ago
jodieflowers says:
Awesome!
2 years ago
kadlubik says:
amazing insects! great lino. block prints!
2 years ago
GwenDelicious says:
Love the CD Greenhouse!
2 years ago
artofjane says:
This is one of my all time favorite threads! I try to do all the things suggested in this article with my own children. And all the pieces in this are wonderful! Thanks!
2 years ago
cocosailore says:
These are great ideas--very inspiring. In June I'll be teaching the "Enrichment Activity" portion of summer school for elementary students. I can't wait to apply some of these projects. We'll definitely be doing "What you need/What you want." Thank you!
2 years ago
ArtistBeingHuman says:
Thanks for this.
2 years ago
brokesy says:
Those insects are amazing!
2 years ago
GoodGriefGlass says:
Wow.
2 years ago
gertuine says:
This is a fabulous and inspiring article. I'm busy thinking of how I might incorporate these activities into my own ESL-related courses. I love recycling and do a lot of it in my own shop (come and visit!). It's such a great feeling to know that you've made something with your own hands, and especially to know you were able to reuse something in the process; that you can find ways to reform trash into treasure. Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
infusion says:
I love this article on a topic of huge importance! I would definitely say that backpacking in remote wilderness areas as a kid, had the most major impact on me, in terms of my ability to holistically understand and appreciate my place in the natural world. And what an amazing and important world it is.
2 years ago
pogoshop says:
What important work you're doing, Karen. The Center sounds like quite an inspiring place. Those bugs are the best!
2 years ago
orchardfarmsoap says:
thanks for this inspiring article. we're starting seeds this week at my daughters school. i LOVE the CD case idea!
2 years ago
pasin says:
amazing I love
2 years ago
fluxplay says:
What a great article about this woman. Also, so many useful links and little projects! Thankyou very much, I'm going to use this for reference myself. CANT WAIT to do the CD case greenhouse with my little-un!!! Heehee!
2 years ago
HarrietsHaven says:
Great article. I really love the insects and the linoleum print seed packets. Wonderful!
2 years ago
LoveandLust says:
Wow - this is incredible! I'm really getting into sustainable living now so this was great inspiration for me this morning :)
2 years ago
Floreal says:
Great read.... thanks..:)
2 years ago
QuietStorytellers says:
This is an absolutely wonderful article! Interesting picks and info. And those bugs were creepily great!
2 years ago
lindab142 says:
This is a great artile. I'm green in a few ways in my life and crafting too. My team is having an event.
2 years ago
elineof says:
How very inspiering! Thank you Karen!
2 years ago
BlackStar says:
Love this article!
2 years ago
RR1Box80 says:
I really enjoyed this article. Very eye opening. The insects really are amazing! Thank you!
2 years ago
recycledwares says:
very inspiring and eye opening. i never knew most children spend 98% of their time indoors. as a child, i was always outside.
2 years ago
AvianInspirations says:
This article (and so many others) are what I love about Etsy. A collection of so many different people all concerned with creativity, education, and community.
2 years ago
rowenamurillo says:
wonderful article. As an ex teacher and a current mom, I find so much of inspiration here.
2 years ago
HaleyByHand says:
So inspirational :) I especially loved the "what do you need, what do you want" activity. Thanks!
2 years ago
HouseOfMirth says:
i loved my time outside as a child. so sad that most kids spend their lives indoors.
2 years ago
anoudesign says:
Great ideas for my kids these holidays...thanks
2 years ago
lostandfoundart says:
Yay! As a sustainability educator and etsy artist, this combines my two worlds! Center for Ecoliteracy is a great organization and resource and I am not surprised by the great ideas presented here. Thanks etsy for inviting them to this guest post!
2 years ago
byKEONA says:
I've been trying to save more water lately. One of the easiest thing to do is put a 2 or three gallon bucket in your shower. You can collect water that you would normally waste when you let it run to warm it up. You can use that collected water to dump in the toilet to flush instead of pushing down the flushing handle.
2 years ago
outdooreducator says:
I agree with lostandfoundart! I absolutely adore this blog posting. Kids need more of this, and more importantly, adults need more confidence and encouragement to bring to their kids. The kids won't know about it without the adults being convinced its worth their time in most cases. Go etsians! Show your kids what's possible and fun. Love it!
2 years ago
viveradesign says:
lovely! we just started planting green beans on cotton yesterday. i want to try the cd case today. hope it work with green beans. :)
2 years ago
KnitKnit says:
Great projects, especially the kids' block print seed packets - very cool! I just love projects that love the earth back. Fantastic article!
2 years ago
HandmadeHandsome says:
great article, I love those seedlings in a CD case
2 years ago
VisioniAlterate says:
These are all great. I love that beautiful Jurassic soap.
2 years ago
ShebboDesign says:
haha, I love the knitted power cord! full of fun
2 years ago
bhangtiez says:
what a heart warming article
2 years ago
RegalCottage says:
Thanks so much for the great green tips! I can always use new ideas. As a former elementary school teacher, I have found that most kids are naturally drawn to sustainability, and they really get excited about projects like these. I so love the recycled T-shirt Rug by talkingsquid. Hand dyed with decaf coffee ;) xoxo, Regina
2 years ago
inajuicebox says:
I love the green house CD idea! I am going to get some seeds and try it out!
2 years ago
AngelOneDesigns says:
I loved the tshirtrugas well. The girls and Iwill be trying the CD Greenhouse this weekend, wish us luck!
2 years ago
GreenTrunkDesigns says:
I worked in environmental education for several years. I really appreciate what Karen and the Center for ecoliteracy do—thank you!
2 years ago
HillTribeCulture says:
Beautiful.....just amazing!!!!
2 years ago
pileofstones says:
Love, love, love this! Thanks SO MUCH!
2 years ago
sissyknitting says:
Love it. I Like to take my clothes and make them into some thing new like yarn or fiber for my craft items.I believe children love to be creative and by adding art from nature will help them be more ECO friendly in the further
2 years ago
Lunatidesign says:
Damn! I thought those bugs were real. The paper quilt is positively juicy. The environmental impact of art and craft supplies has always been of interest to me. What great projects.
2 years ago
gardengreenangel says:
Karen's ideas (Karen and Ecoliteracy) are an inspiration to our Green Team and gardening kids in New England. GardenGreenAngels.blogspot.com
2 years ago