Go Green OC impacting local students
BISHOPVILLE, Md. – Go Green OC, a local composting organization that’s helping Ocean City become the first zero-waste resort town in the United States is educating the younger generation on their composting efforts.
Josh Chamberlain, founder of Go Green OC says helping to make the environment better is a universal language. “As humans, we all share one thing, and it’s like we all live on the planet together and we should leave it better than we found it.”
One of Go Green OC’s missions along with creating the first zero-waste resort town in the United States, is instilling in the younger generation, the drive to continue environmentally friendly habits such as composting. “It’s important for us to reach them at a young age,” says Chamberlain. “This is getting people hands-on, in the dirt, seeing our sustainability efforts, it’s one of our top goals for sure.”
Students from Wicomico County Public School’s English language learner program got the chance to see those efforts up close and personal. “It’s amazing, it’s mind-blowing for the student to see that trash needs to be taken care of. Trash is not a problem, but it becomes a problem if we don’t take care of it,” says Mr. Brouard, a science teacher with the program. Daniel Cayot, a student from Haiti in the program says, “I didn’t think we could use waste like this and that’s cool!”
Regardless of the language barrier, he says it was an enlightening opportunity. “I feel it’s really important to be here so I’m able to learn about farming and things like that so I’m proud to be here,” says Cayot.
Along with a day of education, one of Go Green OC’s long-time partners, the Ocean City chapter of the Surfrider Foundation stopped by to deliver a check to further provide funding to help aid in their efforts. “We just work together, we have a similar mission and goal of protecting the environment and protecting our oceans, our beaches, and we just love to see him working towards that zero waste goal in Ocean City,” says Marina Feeser, Chair of the OC Surfrider Foundation.
We’re told funding like this goes right back into Go Green OC, whether getting a new cement pad, an extra trashcan, compostable bags, signage, or even educational tools, it all aids in their overall zero-waste goal, and educational efforts. “We want to get younger kids in to take our places because that’s how it’s going to continue so it’s a great group effort, put everybody together and it’s turned out to be a great day,” says Karen McCaed, the Volunteer Coordinator for OC Surfrider Foundation.
Organization leaders, educators, and students all agree, there’s never a language barrier when it comes to caring for the environment. “They can be world citizens and work towards advocating taking care of trash and having a better environment,” says Mr. Brouard. Chamberlain adds, “They live in different municipalities that are surrounding us and maybe those kids will grow up to fight for a more sustainable future.”
Students were able to view the whole process from food waste to the final product, compost. Chamberlain tells WMDT, that he hopes to continue bringing more students from the program to expand their horizons and maybe even get some volunteers.
To learn more about the funding and the push for more partnerships, click here.
