Clears away snow 3x FASTER than a snow shovel and is an economical, eco-friendly alternative to snow plows.

The Improved

Clears away snow 3x FASTER than a snow shovel and is an economical, eco-friendly alternative to snow plows.

This month brings to a close another wonderful year here at Greenfox Schools! After moving into our new office space in Cambridge and bringing on board Will Nguyen, our program director, in August, we were able to expand our after school programs into several new Cambridge schools. Next semester, we will continue to grow, collaborating with Somerville schools to bring engaging environmental education after school programs to even more children.

So many of these wonderful accomplishments were made possible by the generosity and support of you, our community. This holiday season, please consider making a donation to Greenfox Schools to help us continue to grow in 2012. Every contribution is incredibly meaningful and makes a difference in our ability to provide quality programs and impact the lives of children in our community.

IMPRESSED by Nature and Greenfox
This month, boutique jewelry company IMPRESSED by nature has decided to partner with Greenfox Schools. IMPRESSED by nature will donate 10% of proceeds from the month of December to Greenfox Schools. These one-of-a-kind earrings and necklaces make wonderful eco-friendly gift for the holidays. To view the full collection and/or make a purchase, please visit the online shop at IMPRESSEDbynature.etsy.com. Here’s what IMPRESSED by nature founder and Greenfox Schools board member Kyla O’Neill had to say:

“I started creating hand-pressed flower and leaf jewelry during the summer of 2011. I was inspired by the petals of the Peruvian lily and thought, “I would love to be able to preserve these and share their beauty with the world.” Peruvian lily earrings were the first piece I made, and from the feedback I received, I started to think that this new hobby could really become something! The people I met were so impressed with the uniqueness of the jewelry that I felt the name IMPRESSED by nature was only fitting.

I hand press all of the natural materials I use and then seal them in thin plastic laminate to highlight the color and detail of the petals and leaves. I am especially inspired by what I find right outside my door, in abandoned parking lots, and between cracks in the sidewalk. My jewelry allows me to capture this raw beauty and preserve it long beyond it’s natural life.

Since my membership on the board of Greenfox Schools and my launching of IMPRESSED by nature jewelry hold several common beliefs, I thought it would be exciting to connect the two. This month IMPRESSED by nature will be donating 10% of its proceeds to support the expansion of Greenfox Schools programming. Please visit my online shop at IMPRESSEDbynature.etsy.com.”

Kristen Presents at Leadership Conference
For the third year in a row, Kristen von Hoffmann, Founder and Chair of Greenfox Schools, was invited to speak at the Women in Leadership Conference held at Yale Law School, hosted by the Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative (YWLI). The conference was held on Saturday, November 12th, 2011.

Kristen was on the panel entitled “Women in Social Entrepreneurship,” speaking alongside Jennifer Galvin, Founder and Producer of Reelblue, LLC, and Ruth DeGolia, Co-founder and Executive Director of Mercado Global. The panel was presented to women’s leadership attendees, students, and business professionals. Kristen, Jennifer, and Ruth answered questions about women’s leadership in business, strategies for revenue growth, and tenets of social responsibility.

When asked about her values, Kristen said, “We rise by lifting others, and that applies to the impact we have on a widespread basis, and that applies to the way we treat each other on a daily basis. Treating people well is important.”

Karl’s Take
Karl Daruwala has been an intern with Greenfox Schools since August 2011. Below he shares a bit about his experience working with classes in Cambridge elementary schools:

“So far my time working in the Greenfox organization has not only been interesting and fun, but it has also enabled me to grow professionally. Sustainability is a fairly complex idea. Therefore it has been interesting to see how the children in the class (mostly kindergarten aged) have developed their own ideas on sustainability. Despite the fact that the children I am working with are young, they are starting to understand some of the individual components that make up sustainability. Through the lesson plans that both Mr. Will Nguyen and myself are using in the classroom, the children are starting to become much more eco-conscious.”

If you’d like to make a safe and secure donation to Greenfox Schools online, please click here. If you have any questions about donating or would like to request more information about Greenfox Schools, please do not hesitate to contact us.

From all of us here at Greenfox Schools, happy holidays and best
wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Ashlee

Ashlee Dahlberg
Greenfox Schools Director
amd@greenfoxschools.com

Greetings!

In this season of giving thanks, we at Greenfox Schools would like to thank all of you for your ongoing support. Greenfox has had a great year working with students across Cambridge and helping to instill in them the value of protecting and understanding our environment.

This month’s newsletter focuses on the importance of sustainability and the programs we run with fresh perspectives from our program director and teaching interns. These individuals make a difference each week in the lives of children around Cambridge and in the articles that follow, they share those perspectives with you.
A Word from Will Nguyen
Greenfox fall programming is in full gear as we move past the halfway mark for classes. We have currently covered all 5 categories in the Greenfox5 model, including lessons around the water cycle (Greenspace), organic gardening and composting (Food / Waste), recycled paper (Products) and solar / wind power (Energy). Sustainability is our future and these programs provide a unique opportunity to connect it on a fundamental level with our children, who will be the ones that will be our future.

Karl Daruwala and Sarah Stickney have been outstanding Teaching Interns and their full thoughts on the program will be listed in more detail in this newsletter. I’m excited to be working with such an amazing team here at Greenfox and we will finish the semester strong. Stay tuned for more updates!

Sarah’s Scoop
I’ve had a wonderful experience helping with the Greenfox after-school programs this fall. I have been working with a class of six kids at the King Amigos School near Central Square in Cambridge, and we’ve been able to teach most of our classes outside in the City Sprouts garden. Highlights include turning the compost (the kids were really excited about it!), making and hanging pollution catchers, creating water cycle models, and making recycled paper. All of the kids are smart and engaged, and it feels great to be teaching them interesting and useful environmental concepts. I think the Greenfox programs are making a big impact in Cambridge public schools!

Karl’s Take
I’ve had a wonderful experience helping with the Greenfox after school programs this fall. I have been working with a class of six kids at the King Amigos School near Central Square in Cambridge, and we’ve been able to teach most of our classes outside in the City Sprouts garden. Highlights include turning the compost (the kids were really excited about it!), making and hanging pollution catchers, creating water cycle models, and making recycled paper. All of the kids are smart and engaged, and it feels great to be teaching them interesting and useful environmental concepts. I think the Greenfox programs are making a big impact in Cambridge public schools!

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving that you enjoyed our newsletter this month. Visit our website and Facebook page to learn more about our programs and the way they are impacting students across Cambridge each day. Stay warm and think green as we head into the holiday season!

All the best,

Ashlee

Ashlee Dahlberg
Greenfox Schools Director
amd@greenfoxschools.com

Naturemill Indoor Composter

The Nature Mill Plus XE features:

NEW: Energy Save Mode reduces composting energy consumption by 75%
Fully automatic and odor free
Indoor or outdoor use, even in cold weather, rain, or snow
Add food waste any time, any day, up to 120 lbs per month
All NatureMill composters can compost pet waste, kitty litter, and cage beddings.
Compost is ready every 2 weeks
Replace filter every 5-7 years
WARRANTY: 1 year

The Silent Cut Mower

What makes the Silent Cut special is the mechanics of its wheel to blade configuration. It is a very detailed machine and often takes some tinkering to get it adjusted properly. Once it is adjusted it is a dream to use. Even though it is heavy, it seems to push more easily than any other mower I have tried, including the Brill, Fiskars, and NaturCut reel mowers. It is no wonder that this is the mower that is selected for commercial use.

Vegware is a leading manufacturer of completely compostable cutlery, tableware, and takeout packaging. They recently added compostable 65 gallon bags to their line of over 80 items. Vegware is certified by Cedar Grove, OK Compost & Den Certo and Compostable Traceability Certification Program. Vegware is made from virgin vegetables and from a sustainable forest.

Clover composts nearly everything including food waste generated in making the food, coffee grounds, and post consumer food waste including the Vegware. Vegware is made from virgin vegetables or from a sustainable forest. Vegware is completely compostable.

Three bands kept the music flowing over the course of the three our food and drink affair. In addition to Vegware, the other sponsors included Taza Chocolate, The Food Project, Maitland Mountain Farm, Chankge is Simple, Valley View Farm, Verterra, Ipswich Ale, Apple Street Farm, First Light Farm, NECR, The Gravel Project, QWIll, Privateer, and the Organic Sound Project.

Brill Razorcut Accu Electric Mower

Clean the wheels of debris on your Brill Mower. Take off the wheel clip and the wheel. Look at the gears. Often grass and dirt find their way into the gears. Clean and put wheel and wheel clip back into place. You’re done.

Vegware’s packaing made from plants is completely compostable.Vegware makes tableware, napkins, hot and cold drink cups and takeaway packaging.The four big benefits of using Vegware are: 1 Low carbon – clean manufacture. 2. Low impact – we use renewable and recycled materials. 3. Low waste – our products turn back to soil. 4. Low competitive costs.