ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

District 7430 Environmental Sustainability
                      
Caring for our environment is now Rotary’s 7th Area of Focus, and presents a very exciting challenge for clubs to tackle on a local, regional, national, and international level.
 
Rotary members are addressing environmental issues the way they always do: coming up with projects, using their connections to change policy, and planning for the future.
 
In June 2020, The Rotary Foundation Trustees and the Rotary International Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the Environment as Rotary’s 7th Area of Focus.  Rotary supports activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance environmental sustainability, and foster harmony between people and the environment.
 
District 7430 has quickly committed to this area of focus. Efforts are being led by the District’s Environmental Sustainability Team. 
 
Rotarians and their community partners around the globe are taking action in:
 
  • Protecting and restoring land, coastal, marine, and freshwater resources
  • Enhancing the capacity of communities to support natural resource management and conservation
  • Supporting sustainable agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture practices
  • Addressing the cause of climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases
  • Strengthening ecosystems and communities affected by climate change
  • Supporting education initiatives that promote behavior that protects the environment
  • Advocating for sustainable consumption to build an economy that uses resources more efficiently
  • Addressing environmental justice issues and public health concerns
 
RECENT NEWS                                                    
 
What are Riparian Buffers?
 
Planting a Pollinator Park - Lakeville (Minnesota) Rotary Club
 
Rotary Environmental Action Coalition of Huntington (REACH) Oyster Reef Project
 
New process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new recycled plastics
 
ADB to devote half its lending to climate finance by 2030.
 
Rotary Club of Environment and Habitat
 
 
CLUB ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD
 
Many Rotary Clubs have already appointed a Club Environmental Lead or champion, someone who is interested in the environment and is willing to organize environmental projects within the local community and be a local advocate for Protecting the Environment.
 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT IDEAS for ROTARY CLUBS 
 
 
GRANTS AVAILABLE for ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
DISTRICT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE ROTARY YEAR 2024-2025 ARE DUE MARCH 31, 2025
 
Your club is encouraged to apply for a District Grant to help fund an environmental sustainability project in your community.  The Grants Committee can help you with the application.
 
Your club may also consider working on a project with a Rotary club from another area of the world.  Clubs are being encouraged by The Rotary Foundation to apply for Global Grants for activities that protect or restore the environment.
 
Day of Service
Every April Rotary clubs around our District do an environmental project in their communities.  This coming year our Rotary District 7430 Day of Service will be held on Saturday, April 19. 2025.  Check out the Environmental Sustainability Project Ideas section to help brainstorm ideas for your club.
 
RESOURCES
 
Team Members, Mission, and Purpose
Terry Reed, Chair (West Reading-Wyomissing)
Bob Hobaugh, PDG (Kutztown)
Mary Cook, DGE (Collegeville)
Bruce Christman (West Reading-Wyomissing)
Audra Frank (Easton)
Dr. Karen Campbell (Reading)
Kay Greenawalt (Hamburg)
Rick Morrissey (Bethlehem Morning Star)
Loretta Ottinger (Fleetwood)
Andrew Chiang (Ambler)
David Kaplan, Esq. (Collegeville)
Dr. A. Ronald Attarian (Springfield Township)
Dan Rhodes (Upper Perkiomen)
Les Reed (Emmaus)
Nicole Matz (Pottstown) 
Cathy Fitzgerald (Upper Perkiomen)      
Dr. Lisa Peterson (Professional Resource, Sustainability Consultant)
Scot Case (Professional Resource, Sustainability Consultant)

 
 
 
Environmental Resources for Rotary Clubs
Organizations that can act as an informational resource or partner for environmental projects and activities.
 
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) is the group of Rotarians who were instrumental in getting “Supporting The Environment” recognized as an Area of Focus. Their experience, expertise, and organization are great resources for Rotarians.
 
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASHRAG) supports and ensures sustainable long-lasting clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to communities in need.