www.earthresource.org

Organization Type:
Non-Profit

Mission:
Earth Resource Foundation (ERF) empowers people to contribute to a healthier Earth where they live work and play—focusing on communities, youth education and businesses; we show how small obtainable changes make a world of difference.

The ERF mission is to preserve, conserve and restore the earth to a healthy and sustainable state by redirecting available human, technological, monetary, and academic resources. It is economically beneficial to become environmentally responsible; the technology is there (i.e., fuel cells, cornstarch bioplastics), and most humans want to help. ERF's primary goal is to communicate information to the local community, which enables them to institute small and obtainable changes and change current habits to more environmentally friendly ones. Many small changes will lead to a healthier, happier life for all.

Earth Resource Foundation's projects are committed to the conservation and preservation of the Earth. CHANGE THROUGH ACTION! Our comprehensive programs are in three categories:
•  INDIVIDIALS/COMMUNITY programs, which help create environmentally sustainable communities and solve neighborhood issues - Current projects include Adopt Your Neighborhood and Adopt Your Watershed
•  YOUTH EDUCATION programs are targeted to teach responsibility for one's actions, to find creative solutions to existing problems and to gain appreciation for our natural environment - Kids for a Healthy Earth; ERF School Clubs and Working at the Watershed Level
•  ERF BUSINESS programs focus on a triple bottom line: Profit, People, and Planet - Green Workplace and Business Community Involvement

Contact:
Stephanie Barger
Earth Resource Foundation
P.O. Box 12364
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: (949) 645-5163
Fax: (949) 645-5173
info@earthresource.org

Geographical Focus:
Local, Regional

Counties Served:
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura

Activities:
Research, Education, Recycling, Conservation, Water Monitoring, Water Pollution Prevention

Topic:
Wetlands, Beaches, Energy, Watersheds/Hydrology, Habitat Restoration, Water Quality/Storm Water Runoff, Environmental Justice

Educational Resources:
Curriculum, Activity/Learning Kit, Posters, Outreach Programs, Guided Walks, Field Trips, Publications, Newsletter, Brochures, Exhibits/Display, Multimedia, Website, Library/Lending Materials

Speaker/Lecture Series:
Everything from organic gardening, alternative energy to environmental justice

Education Programs:
CHANGE THROUGH ACTION: Earth Resource Foundation’s projects are committed to the conservation and preservation of the Earth.

ERF Individual & Community Programs help create environmentally sustainable communities and solve neighborhood issues:

• "Adopt Your Neighborhood" works with you to improve environmental awareness and foster a sense of community in neighborhoods. The program provides workshops for a neighborhood’s concerns, such as energy conservation, watershed issues, organic gardening, etc. It also focuses on bringing the community together through neighborhood cleanups and gatherings. Working together to take ownership of one’s community, your neighborhood will gain a sense of environmental, social and civic responsibility.
• "Adopt Your Watershed", part of the Adopt your Neighborhood program, reconnects individuals with their surrounding natural environment, particularly focusing on water quality issues. Communities and individuals are asked to adopt their local watershed to remove and prevent litter and pollution, rebuild the natural habitat, and develop a high level of understanding of the interconnectivity among a healthy watershed, a healthy community, and healthy economy.
• "Keep Orange County Beautiful" is a countywide environmental outreach program. Cities, communities and school districts can share information countywide. Earth Resource Foundation provides consistent environmental messages and education throughout the county.

• "Kids for a Clean Earth" focuses on the everyday opportunities for children of all ages to help create a healthy environment. This includes beach and community cleanups, environmental field trips, and classroom presentations.
• ERF "School Clubs" give youth the opportunity to make environmental changes within their schools and communities. Club members are empowered to assess problems, create solutions they implement themselves, and learn leadership skills.
• "Working at the Watershed Level" is a hands-on, real-time scientific classroom project. Working in their local watersheds (rivers, creeks, and oceans), the high school students collect trash, enter data into the computer, and deliver the data to Southern California Coastal Research Project (SCCWRP). This scientific research firm analyzes the data to determine the demographics of the litter. Simultaneously, the students conduct an independent analysis and compare the results with SCCWRP’s findings. This is a zero-waste project, where students take all the trash they have collected and find ways to recycle or reuse the trash. They also study alternative products such as disposable utensils made from cornstarch, solar energy, and fuel cells.
• "Green Schools" are obtainable and healthy. Earth Resource Foundation’s environmental experts show schools how to save thousands of dollars by recycling, utilizing energy and water efficiency, monitoring food waste and cleaning campuses.

• "Green Workplace" advises businesses on how to create a more environmentally friendly workplace and become more efficient with resources. Earth Resource Foundation’s environmental experts provide businesses with the most up-to-date environmentally responsible practices, products, and services.
• "Business Community Involvement" assists companies in providing opportunities for employees to give back to their local communities and become an integral part of their local business surroundings.
  Save money while saving the planet!!!

Target Audiences:
K-12, Adult, Teacher, Non-Formal Educator, General Public

Other Languages:
All of our materials are available in Spanish. We also have Spanish speaking volunteers.