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World Water Monitoring Day is On the Way!
From September 18, 2008 to October 18, 2008, Girl Scouts around the world will be monitoring waterbodies of all shapes and sizes. WWMD is coordinated by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association. Girl Scouts give their local streams, rivers, lakes and other waterbodies a “check-up” by using a simple kit to test for pH, clarity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. After testing, they enter their data into an international database and conduct other activities to raise awareness about the importance of watershed protection.
Visit the World Water Monitoring Day Website 
for more information
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International Coastal Clean Up--Feel Good and Work on a Getting a Patch!
The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. Last year, 378,000 volunteers from 76 countries and 45 states cleared six million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways and recorded every piece of trash collected. This event is also an activity in the Girl Scout's Water Drop Patch Project Manual.Visit the ICC Website for more information
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National Public Lands Day is Coming!
Save the Date: September 27, 2008-- One Saturday every September is dedicated as National Public Lands Day (NPLD). NPLD provides an opportunity for Girl Scouts to improve America's public lands. This is the fifth year that NPLD is linking formally with Girl Scouts. In 2007, about 3,900 Girl Scouts from 194 troops volunteered on 132 sites across the country. Register your council, troop or group event by September 27, 2008 to receive the 2008 NPLD commemorative poster, a beautiful collector's item. Also receive brochures to promote your event and inform parents, as well sa certificates to use at a recognition ceremony. Remember to participate in the NPLD Photo Contest.
For more information see the NPLD 2008 flyer (1 p., 130K, about PDF) or
Visit the National Public Lands Day Website
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Water Drop Patch Project Updated!
The popular Water Drop Patch Project, co-produced by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been given a face-lift! The manual is deisgned for adult's use with Girl Scout Brownies through Ambassadors (grades 2-12) and is divided into grade-level, age-appropriate activities aligned to the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Updated information and new and expanded girl-lead, learning by doing and co-operative learning activities help Girl Scouts to discover, connect, and take action.
Check out the Water Drop Patch Project Flyer (PDF, 1 page, 287 KB, about PDF) and
Visit the Water Drop Patch Project Web page for more information
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Linking Girls to Land Video/DVD Now Online!
March 2008-- The Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council and the Tongass National Forest were able to work together to craft an experience for the Girl Scouts of all ages this Thinking Day. After being selected for a natiuonal grant to "Link Girls to the Land", the Council and troop leaders bagan working on themes and activities to involve girls living on teh many islands in southeast Alaska.
Watch the full video online or
order a copy of the video/dvd ($12/$12.50, respectively) by contacting Maria Spotswood at 301-881-0270
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Thinking Day 2008: LGTTL on the Tongass National Forest
March 2008-- The Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council and the Tongass National Forest were able to work together to craft an experience for the Girl Scouts of all ages this Thinking Day. After being selected for a natiuonal grant to "Link Girls to the Land", the Council and troop leaders bagan working on themes and activities to involve girls living on teh many islands in southeast Alaska.
Read the full newsletter on Thinking Day 2008 (PDF, 4 pages, 259K, about PDF)
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Check Out the Linking Girls to the Land Resource Guide!
The LGTTL Resource Guide provides a plethora of information on this unique and wonderful partnership. It provides more information about each of the natural resource agencies that are involved in this program as well as helpful information on how Girl Scouts can go about creating a greater partnership with these agencies. There is also helpful information on grants and funding as well environmental events, projects, and travel opportunities.
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The Girl Scout Councils are Merging!
The Girl Scouts are currently going through a Council Realignment. GSUSA reports that "The jurisdictional boundaries of all councils are being reviewed and redrawn – to assist in the creation of high-capacity councils that have the funding, connections and scale to achieve their purpose. To that end, GSUSA hired two demographers to create a 21st-century council resource map. The map from demographers Peter Francese of Exeter, N.H., and Jeanne Gobalet of Saratoga, Calif., is far simpler than the current one. It has fewer than 110 councils spread over 50 states and Puerto Rico."
Visit the GSUSA Website and click on "Find a council" for the latest updates or
Visit the GSUSA business strategy Web page for more information
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