Ohio EPA launches ‘Green Reader’ program
Reading about the wonder of nature, the environment and conservation is fun (trust us, we’re scientists) – but that’s especially true when there’s a reward for doing so.
Ohio EPA announced Monday, at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Reynoldsburg Branch, its new Green Reader program and a literary challenge for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
“We are proud to support the Governor’s focus on literacy,” Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said. “Putting books into the hands of children across Ohio is a priority for Governor and First Lady DeWine and the entire administration, and Ohio’s popular partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has done just that.”
Children who read at least 10 books about the environment can fill out an online form to complete the challenge. Anyone who finishes the challenge will receive a certificate and a Green Reader decal.
Ohio EPA is also proud to announce “Daisy’s Big Day” as part of the Green Reader initiative. It’s an activity book that explains to children how they get their drinking water. The book, authored by three employees in Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, follows Daisy on an incredible journey through a surface water treatment plant, helping children understand how water gets from Ohio’s rivers to their faucet.
“Ohio EPA’s Green Reader program not only champions the love of reading, but also teaches children about nature and conservation,” Vogel said. “‘Daisy’s Big Day’ is a fun way for kids and their parents to learn about the important work Team Ohio EPA does every day to keep Ohio families safe. I’m proud of authors Alexandra, Ricky, and Molly for their creativity, hard work, and commitment to public service on behalf of all Ohioans.”
The Green Reader website includes a downloadable version of “Daisy’s Big Day,” as well as a suggested reading list with examples of books children can read. The list comes from sources such as Project Learning Tree, Growing Up Wild, the National Science Teachers Association, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, where parents can enroll children up to 5 years old to receive free books.
There is an additional downloadable coloring activity as readers finish books, with the color-by-number code matching the number of books read.
For more, go to: https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/environmental-education/educ….
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