Environmental
Speakers, Presenters and Performers
With a Focus on Recycling & Resource Conservation
Below are a list of performers, assembly programs, workshop presenters and possible keynote speakers that provide programs that engage people about environmental issues. In some cases they specifically address recycling, waste reduction, consumption and the need to conserve natural resources. If you can recommend others who offer similar programs in the Connecticut region, please contact Sherill Baldwin at 860-424-3440.
KEY: $ Means performer or speaker charges a fee.
| Speakers and Presenters | Topics |
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Alexis Wilcox
Duck Truck Composting
203-494-8342 |
Composting, Vermicomposting Duck Truck Composting provides presentations and workshops for children and adults about composting and vermiculture, composting with red wiggler worms. In addition, Alexis can provide technical assistance to help your home, community or school garden develop a composting system. She also does tabling and programs for special events or eco-festivals. |
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Connecticut DEEP School Programs & Field Studies Susan Quincy |
Conserving Earth’s Resources (Grades 3-5) Students become "garbage archaeologists" to learn about a fictitious family and their conservation habits. They sort through a variety of objects and focus on the use of plastic. Students learn what can be recycled and why. These fun, hands-on activities emphasize reasons and methods for conserving earth materials through reusing, recycling and reducing the consumption of natural resources. Connecticut Ecosystems (Grades 6-8) By conducting their own field investigation, students determine the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the plants and animals within our local ecosystem. Students explore the many interactions occurring within an ecosystem as they participate in predator-prey and food chain simulations. Populations and Our Environmental Footprint (Grades 9-12) Students investigate the impact humans have on the planet by calculating their own "environmental footprint," thereby showing them the amount of land and water they need to support their life style. Students compare their environmental footprint to footprints from people from around the world. To further illustrate human’s carrying capacity, students participate in an interactive simulation to demonstrate how much the environment can support different human activities. |
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Dr. Abigail Maynard The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Abigail.Maynard@ct.gov $ |
Composting, Soils
Her specific areas of expertise include composting, utilization of compost in nursery stock and vegetable production, nitrate leaching from compost-amended soil, and the long-term effects of repeated applications of compost on soil characteristics and water quality. |
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Bill Duesing Consulting for the $ |
Composting, Soils, Food Systems
For over 35 years, organic farmer, author and environmental artist Bill Duesing has been working to promote organic agriculture and greater local food sufficiency in Connecticut and the Northeast through lectures, writings, media and community work. He is author of Living on the Earth: Eclectic Essays for a Sustainable and Joyful Future. He was founding president of CT NOFA and founding chair of the New Haven Ecology Project and its Common Ground High School, located on a farm in New Haven. |
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Composting, Soils, Eco-Systems, Seeds, Water Cycles Hands-on science programs on 120-acre farm or programs can be brought to your school. |
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| Greg Bugbee
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station |
Composting
Expert in soil fertility, turfgrass, potting media, composting, utilization of composted biosolids and control of weeds and algae in lakes and ponds. In charge of the soil testing laboratory in New Haven. Holds state supervisory licenses in the care of trees, turf and ornamentals and aquatic weed control. Works with public to solve soil and water related problems. |
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Jenna Messier
Organic Land Care Program Director
CT Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
203-308-2584 $
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Introduction to Organic Land Care for Homeowners
Please contact the presenter for details.
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Vivian Felten Resource Conservationist |
Backyard Conservation, Lawn Alternatives |
| Program Information | |
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360 22nd Street, Suite 730
Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 251-5990 Local contact: Alan Palm, New England Region (508) 728-5992 |
Climate Change Assembly Programs
(Grades 4-12)
Made to be Age Appropriate ACE’s main vehicle for spreading awareness is through its educational presentations. ACE’s program presents current climate science to students through brief (45-60 minute) age-appropriate and entertaining assemblies delivered by ACE’s trained educators. Program is concluded by communicating the urgent need for action and envisioning the greener, cooler future for our country and the world. ACE also provides grants, scholarships and action kits to help students get started. |
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Circus for a Fragile Planet uses the spectacle and excitement of circus to convey a powerful message about Earth’s endangered hydrosphere, how it affects us and what we can do to alleviate the situation.
The sixty minute, five person show show starts on the beaches, lawns and bathrooms of central Connecticut and journeys around the globe, exploring human impacts on the hydrosphere through the artistry, imagination and spectacle of circus. |
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| EarthTunes (Grades K-5)
Music environmental education programs for children. |
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PO Box 1345 $ |
Animal Tales (Pre-School through Grade 3) Uses some of the same songs as "Green Up" – but this is geared to younger ages. "Green Up" (Grades K-12) |
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BJ Hickman BJ Hickman Magic Shows $ |
"Recycling Magic" (Grades K-8) This is magician BJ Hickman's newest school assembly program. It's lots of fun as bottles, cans, cardboard, paper and more are used (and reused) to promote the importance of recycling. BJ Hickman takes the participants on a magic journey through the "A to Z" list of who should recycle, why we recycle, how to recycle, and what to recycle. The magic words, "I reeeee-cycle" will be remembered for years! Waste Management is often the sponsor. |
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C.J. May - Resourcerysm Better World Magic $ |
CJ May is the Resourcerersm
CJ May uses magic to entertain, educate and communicate the message of sustainability to his audiences. The strength of his performances comes from the combination of his years as an environmental professional, a magician and a storyteller. His landmark “Recycling is Magic” performance has been seen by thousands since CJ created it in 2005. Resourcerysm, his blend of magic and message on issues of sustainability, has reached elected officials, civic organizations, and leaders in the business and environmental communities.
CJ is available to perform and educate about a variety of environmental themes:
Recycling and Waste Management, Energy, Water, Sustainability as Core Value of the 21st Century, and Green Business Opportunities |
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Dennis Waring Middletown, CT $ |
From Trash to Tunes Assembly (Grades K-12) |
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EarthCapades – Environmental Vaudeville 446 Old County Road $ |
Waste Reduction Production (Grades K-8) Learn simple things everyone can do to reduce waste at school and at home; conserve natural resources, enjoy nature, and explore ways we all can live in balance with Planet Earth. Planetary Circus (Grades K-8) |
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Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater Leslie Elias $ |
Grumbling Gryphons (Grades K-12) |
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Jack Golden $ |
Garbage is My Bag (Grades K-8) A Litter Bit Goes a Long Way (Grades K-8) Now Dr. T. shares the stage with the quintessential game show personality, Les Litter in a mad cap adventure into the messy world of litter. Together they explore this serious issue in a comic and upbeat way that is guaranteed to leave smiles on the faces and ideas in the minds of students about where litter comes from, why people litter and what can we do to prevent litter. |
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JuggleJoy Educational Entertainment Keith Hughes or M.J. Moriarty $ |
JuggleJoy (Grades K-12) Offers circus-inspired, curriculum-based shows, and workshops designed to enhance science, language arts, physical education, and social studies units. Science shows include: "Why Did the Dinosaur Cross the Road?;" "Reduce, Reuse, Re-unicycle;" and "Sir Isaac Newton Goes to the Circus." Additional shows include American vaudeville history, school year kick-offs/wrap-ups, and reading rallies. Workshops/residencies include physical science and laws of motion; circus skills for physical education; recycling through mask making; dinosaur digs; and storytelling and improvisation. |
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Forest Hill, MD 21050 $ |
Recycling Show (Grades K-6) While cleaning up litter, a wacky clean-up lady begins to play with newly found trash treasures. What should be saved? How might it be recycled? Inspired she decides to "recycle" old trash into puppets and "recycle" old folktales into a script. |
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Mad Science madscifc@sbcglobal.net $ |
Mad Science (Pre-school to School Age) Programs include workshops, after-school activities, school assemblies, stage spectaculars, booths, science nights/carnivals, camps, and birthday parties. Mad Science’s "edu-tainment" provides fun, hands-on, interactive, and educational activities that give children a clearer understanding of what science is really about and how it affects the world around them. |
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Timothy Wenk $ |
The Magic of Recycling (Grades K-5) |
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P.E.A.C.E.® $ |
Storytelling, Science, Environment (Grades K-8) Michael’s presentations range from programs on natural history and science to performances of story, song, dance, instruments and a cast of humorous and dramatic characters that share Earth stewardship and cultural understanding. Programs include "Minibeasts of the Stream," "The Loon’s Necklace," "The Children Who Plant Trees" and "Kid’s Power Program: Renewable Energy for Today’s Kids." Performances include "Earth Tales from Around the World," "Keepers of the Earth," "Native American Games," "Tales from the Deep: Legends of the Living Waters," "Earth Gardens and the Seeds of Life," "The Rainbow Garden: Celebrating Cultural Diversity," "Native American Thanksgivings," " Flying Turtles & Talking Bears," "Bird Tales from Around the World" and "Keepers of the Night: Moths & Monsters, Bats & Bones." Michael J. Caduto is creator/co-author of the best-selling Keepers of the Earth series (NAPPA Gold Award) and Native American Gardening: Stories, Projects and Recipes for Families ( NAPPA Silver Award). |
| Steve Trash $
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Trash & Recycle Show (Grades K-8) This is no ordinary school MAGIC show. It is an excellent blend of entertainment and education tailored to the age of your students. Students will learn how to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, that trash is a natural resource that someone has simply DECIDED isn't valuable anymore, why littering is a bad idea, ways to prevent litter, what things are recyclable and have fun and be amazed. |
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Trash Can Lid Productions Jeff@TrashcanLidProductions.com $ |
Trash Can Music (Grades K-12) |
KEY: $ Means performer or speaker charges a fee.
Additional Resources & Speakers Bureaus
The New England School Performing Arts Directory Alphabetical listing of performing artists whose storytelling programs support topics in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and Health. Search for "environment".
Children and Nature Network Speakers Bureau The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working nationally and internationally to reconnect children with nature. The network provides a critical link between researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being. C&NN also promotes fundamental institutional change and provides resources for sharing information, strategic initiatives and success stories.
National Wildlife Federation Speakers Bureau The National Wildlife Federation’s conservation work is focused in three major areas: confronting global warming; connecting people with nature by getting them outside; and safeguarding wildlife and restoring wildlife habitat.
New England Wild Flower Society Speakers Bureau Topics they can cover include invasive plants, climate change, ecology and conservation, gardening for biodiversity, soil food web, edible gardens, rain gardens, and butterfly gardens.
EPA - New England Speakers Bureau Dozens of EPA employees with a variety of subject matter expertise, from global warming to hazardous waste, fill speaking requests at elementary and middle schools, high schools, and universities throughout New England. Presentations range from hands-on activities to slide shows, depending on your need. Staff participate on career panels, speak to small or large audiences, and participate in Earth Day and health fairs.
CT Climate Change Speakers List Organizations and individuals available to do presentations on climate change. The Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change does not necessarily endorse these organizations or the content of their presentations. You should contact the individuals directly to determine presentation suitability and availability of the speaker for your needs.
Connecticut DEEP Educator Workshops
Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web site to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject.
Content Last Updated February 2020