Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

Operation Green: Improving our Communities. This is the initiative that Phi Theta Kappa members and officers have been working so hard to achieve this year. In the past were activities like the ink cartridge recycling, the National Public Lands Day tree plant, the neighborhood tree plant, and now their most recent accomplishment, recycling of plastic, glass, and tin on campus. On November 29, 2006, Phi Theta Kappa teamed up with Waste Management and the Department of Institutional Facilities at Kellogg Community College for Recycling Awareness Day. A lot of work went in to making this event a success and one thing that was done to involve the faculty and students were the Tree Hugger wristbands. 200 of these wristbands were purchased from an organization where all proceeds went towards saving the rainforest. The day started off at 10:00 a.m. with information tables set up in the student center. There were four informational tables present until 1:00 p.m., and they included Phi Theta Kappa, the Leila Arboretum Society, Waste Management / Recycle America, and one table that had information about the Battle Creek Area Watershed Management, and the Battle Creek Area clean water partnership. There were informational handouts and fliers about the benefits of recycling and what each group had to offer. The main attraction for the day was the Recycling Seminar conducted by Cathy Strong of Waste Management and Recycle America, Mike Caswell with the Department of Institutional Facilities, and Josh Radi with Phi Theta Kappa. Cathy took the group through the dynamics of recycling, and really reinforced the importance of recycling. She explained benefits of plastic, glass, and tin recycling and how it would affect Kellogg Community College. Mike then discussed the different things that the Department of Institutional Facilities has done spanning from the paper recycling initiative, the change to more efficient light bulbs, and changes to the chemicals used on campus. Josh closed with a discussion on what Phi Theta Kappa has done and how it has affected the community. With the help of the faculty members and the student body this initiative will benefit generations to come. There are currently five recycling drop centers in and around campus. Kellogg Community College is working on updating maps on the Phi Theta Kappa board and across campus showing where the drop centers are located. There are also 5 committee members delegate responsibilities throughout the year for recycle center pick up.