4/10/2008 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Minutes

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3 Environmental Oversight Committee Minutes April 10, 2008 NEW BUSINESS: Mashpee High School Environmental Club/Tom Hoppenstead: Tom Hoppenstead, Faculty Advisor to the Mashpee High School Environmental Club was in attendance with several club representatives to give an update to the EOC regarding recent activities. It was noted the new MHS Environmental Club was an initiative of Mashpee High School students in the 2007/2008 school year. To date,there are approximately ten members. Several projects undertaken by the Environmental Club include participation in CoastSweep, a Massachusetts state-wide clean-up program sponsored by Coastal Zone Management. The Popponesset Spit was cleaned of marine debris by the students as they collected and categorized data that was submitted to the Ocean Conservatory in Washington,D.C. Willowbend has been a supporter of environmental education at the Mashpee High School and recently sponsored a training seminar in which students participated in the stewardship project regarding groundwater monitoring at Bryant's Bay which is part of Shoestring Bay. The active Environmental Club also initiated a recycling program at the Mashpee High School. Recycling bins are now placed in every classroom. In the past, corrugated card board was the only product recycled. Now, paper, cardboard and plastics are being recycled. The successful recycling program has been expanded school-wide. Representatives of the Environmental Club have held fundraising activities by selling LED lighting and compact fluorescent bulbs in partnership with the Cape Light Compact. Several students are undertaking personal initiatives. One student is attempting to make recycled paper. Another student has plans to educate Quashnet students on marine mammals on Cape Cod. The clean-up of the Mashpee River woodlands of debris is an additional project of note.