Indianapolis –– In a nation concerned with environmental sustainability, Green Fest Indy 2010 recently surveyed more than 200 participants to get a better understanding of the community’s interest in eco-friendly issues.

More than 79 percent of participants replying said they were very to extremely concerned about the environment, locally and globally. Eighty-five percent currently recycle and 71 percent have used one of Indiana’s free recycling programs.

Ninety percent said they seek out eco-friendly products as opposed to typical brands. Lastly, results showed that 74 percent said they would do more to protect/conserve the environment if they had more information or if companies produced products and services to make it easier.

This level of interest for the environment and eco-friendly issues proves that Indianapolis is in need of an event to better educate and promote green living, according to Green Fest Indy officials. Green Fest Indy will be March 26 through 28 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Toyota Expo Hall.

San Francisco — Action For Nature, a San-Francisco-based non-profit, is now taking applications for the 2010 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, which honor youth ages 8 to 16 for their outstanding accomplishments in environmental advocacy, environmental health, research and protection of the natural world.

Award recipients will receive up to $500 cash, an award certificate, and other forms of recognition. The application deadline is February 28, 2010.

Action For Nature‚s mission is to encourage young people to take personal action to nurture and protect a healthy environment on which all life depends. Now in its eighth year of the International Young Eco-Hero Awards, the organization has honored 90 young people from 13 countries and 24 states in America.

Previous award winners have continued to receive other prestigious leadership, environmental and science awards, such as the Brower Youth and Intel Science awards. They‚ve also taken part in local, national and international media interviews.

Alec Loorz, a 2008 award winner, has continued to educate youth and adults about global warming and has spoken to more than 20,000 people. Alec, who is now 15, is the youngest member of Al Gore‚s speaking panel, and was recently asked to assist with a presentation before the U.S. Senate.

Former award winner Otana Jakpor, 16, researched air purifiers and ozone emissions and successfully advocated for change in California. Her findings resulted in the first-ever state regulation of ozone-generators. She has since been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency and has become an official spokesperson for the American Lung Association. She has also had her work published by several science journals.

Seymour, Ind. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2010 Indiana Junior Duck Stamp Contest, which is administered by the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2010.
“The Junior Duck Stamp Program offers children an opportunity to learn about wildlife, exercise their artistic talents, and develop an appreciation for science and conservation,” said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has held a Junior Duck Stamp Contest in Indiana since 1995. Last year, Seth Spradlin from Westfield, Ind., won the Indiana contest with a drawing of a pair of green-wing teal.
“We hope to have an even broader level of participation this year from schools and students across the state,” said Donna Stanley, Indiana Junior Duck Stamp Program state coordinator.
This dynamic educational program uses both conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students in kindergarten through high school. The program provides an opportunity for students to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence and beauty of wildlife.
Students may submit artwork featuring one of the following species: whistling ducks, swans, geese, brant, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails, or Hawaiian ducks. A full list of permitted species is available online. Judging will be open to the general public, and will be begin at 9:00 a.m on March 20 at [Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.
Artwork entries will be judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1- by 1 ½-inch stamp. Students will be judged in four groups, according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Three first, three second and three third place entries, along with 16 honorable mentions will be selected from each group. Contest judges select a “Best of Show” from the 12 first place winners, which will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest to be held in St. Paul, Minn., April 23. The winner of the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest, along with his or her parent or guardian and teacher will receive a free trip to a First Day of Sale ceremony in late June or early July.
The first place art from the national, contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
A downloadable entry form and information on contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults can be found online. For additional information, or if you have questions regarding your student’s or school’s participation, please contact Donna Stanley, Jr. Duck Stamp State Coordinator, (812) 522-4352, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Entries and reference forms should be postmarked by March 15, 2009 and mailed to:
c/o Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
12985 E. U.S. Hwy. 50
Seymour, IN 47274

Carmel, Ind. — The youth-driven Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant Program will be award checks Nov. 12 to five local youth groups to fund their volunteer eco-friendly, green projects. Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard will be on hand to congratulate the motivated youth and to support them in their commitment to community service and to the environment.

The goal of the Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant Program, funded by Clorox Green Works, is to challenge area youth to use their skills, creativity and energy to help make Carmel/Clay Township in Indiana a greener community by funding 22 youth-inspired environmental projects. This ceremony will mark the first micro-grants awarded through this program.

For complete report: Carmel Green Initiative

BALL STATE INDIANAPOLIS CENTER TO HOST GREEN AMBASSADOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN OCTOBER

Sept.  30, 2009 - The Ball State Indianapolis Center in collaboration with the College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis Center will host a five-part lunchtime certificate program to help you or your business become a leader in sustainability beginning Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 2009. The cost of the program is $150 for the full 5-session certificate program or $35 for each individual session.  An Indiana-grown lunch is included. Limited web conferencing seats are available for those outside the Indy-metro area.
The courses will be held from 11:30am-1pm each consecutive Thursday until Nov. 19th, 2009. 
Register by calling 317-822-6167.

Taught by professors from Ball State University as well as consulting experts, this series will include:

Sustainability 101

Bill Brown, Indiana University | October 22 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

What sustainability means, how we can measure our footprint, and how green strategies at home or work can save money.

Energy

Professor Robert J. Koester, Ball State University | October 29 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Our energy options, how energy conservation strategies can save money, and incentive programs out there to make the switch.

Health & Wellness

Kim Irwin, Alliance for Health Promotion | November 5 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

It all starts with you. How lifestyle changes and thinking locally is the first step in the greening of our home or business.

Outdoors

JFNew | November 12 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

How can we transform our landscape to require less maintenance, use less water and fewer chemicals, and be more beautiful?

Sustainable Accounting

Professor Gwendolen B. White, Ball State University | November 19 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

How can we keep track of our sustainable strategies and calculate return on investments for sustainable investments?

About the Indianapolis Center

Located at 50 S. Meridian at the corner of Maryland and Meridian in downtown Indianapolis, the Ball State Indianapolis Center is a high-tech, interactive education, research, information, and outreach center. The center offers a full range of educational and outreach programs for working professionals, rental space for meetings and events, and provides information about Ball State admissions, courses, registration, upcoming conferences, and special events.