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2014 Base Camp Bash Results Are In!

Oh what a night! The 2014 Base Camp Bash was an outstanding success. What happens when you bring together amazing people, incredible sponsors, fabulous auction items, committed educational partners, present cool awards, enjoy delicious food and beverages, a great band, and toss in a “Change Your World” Selfie Booth? Well, for those of you who… Read more »

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Earth Task Force Digs Deep into Fracking

The Earth Task Force (ETF) at New Vista High School in Boulder, CO has heard a lot about fracking, or hydraulic fracturing. Everything from the horrifying idea that fracking could contaminate water supplies to how beneficial it is as a lower emission fossil fuel. Most people in Colorado rely on natural gas, which comes from… Read more »

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Earth Task Force Hosts “Bring Your Own Mug” Day

This past March, students from New Vista High School’s Earth Task Force (ETF) hosted an exciting community event called Bring Your Own Mug Day (BYOM). The purpose behind the event was to encourage students and staff to use their own reusable mugs, in place of taking advantage of disposable cups. Reusable mugs are an important… Read more »

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Share, EEvolve, and Grow with Cottonwood Institute

Cottonwood Institute had a great time attending sessions and presenting at the 14th Annual Teaching Outside the Box Conference in March 2014! As always, the conference was inspiring and rejuvenating, filled with sessions, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and celebrations. Each year, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education hosts the Teaching Outside the Box Conference. The conference… Read more »

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Earth Task Force Students Host a Clothing Swap

Last month, students from the Earth Task Force at New Vista High School in Boulder, CO hosted a clothing swap. The purpose of the event was to encourage peers and staff to pursue their fashion interests in a more eco-friendly manner. Due to the money and materials that are invested in the purchase of new… Read more »

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Springing into Action in 2014

Endangered Wolves and Animal Tracking This spring, we will facilitate our Endangered Wolves and Animal Tracking Program to students from Littleton Academy, Logan School, Colorado Academy, and STRIVE Preparatory Charter Schools. As part of the program, students will camp out for nearly a week at Mission:Wolf, a wolf refuge located in south central Colorado, to… Read more »

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Top 10 Inspiring Cottonwood Institute Stories From 2013

As we reflect back on the Cottonwood Institute programs we delivered this year we are incredibly proud of our students who really pushed themselves, stepped out of their comfort zones, explored the outdoors, and tackled some impressive Action Projects in 2013. By the numbers: This year we served 545 students (almost 100 more than 2012),… Read more »

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Green Star School Education Campaign

This fall, students in the Earth Task Force at New Vista High School worked in collaboration with the school’s video class to inform the community about their current Green Star School Status. The Green Star is achieved through a program that EcoCycle offers the school district of BVSD, and the certification encourages zero waste practices… Read more »

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Local Farmers + Local Food + Local Action = Local Lunch

The Earth Task Force (ETF), a student led environmental action team at New Vista High School (NVHS) coordinated an annual event that provides a locally sourced lunch to staff and students. For the fourth annual Local Lunch, The Kitchen, a Boulder restaurant that works with local food producers, collaborated with ETF to create a gourmet… Read more »