No Idle Zone

No Idle Zone ...
Coming to a school near you!

Have you ever left your car running while picking up your children or grandchildren from school? If so, you are not alone. Consider this: A single vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month.

This pollution contains a nasty mix of small particles and chemicals that are considered "hazardous."  Exposure to car exhaust increases the risk of heart and lung problems. 

Children are most vulnerable. Children breathe more air—50% more—per pound of body weight than adults and their lungs are still developing. Exposure to vehicle exhaust is linked to asthma. Ironically, one of the areas where unnecessary idling often occurs is at school. Research funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology, revealed that most idling at schools occurs during the afternoon pick-up time. This is why the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, and the American Lung Association of Washington, Spokane Office, are facilitating the "No Idle Zone —It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air" at area schools.

School Program -  Interested elementary and middle schools may sign up for this program. It's really quite simple to participate. As a school, you agree to:

• Post two "No Idle Zone Signs" (as pictured above) in the student drop-off/pick-up areas. These signs are provided free-of-charge.
  
  
• Distribute information to school families about idling and the No Idle Zone program. This includes a Cover Letter, an Idling Fact Sheet, and an optional "Parent/Student" pledge form. All print materials and thank you incentives are provided free-of-charge to each participating school.
  
  
• Schools have the option of engaging their students in math and science activities, such as data collection and analysis by conducting pre and post program observations of idling behavior. Most schools that have implemented the program have seen a dramatic decrease in vehicle idling at their school.
  
  
• If the school is interested, information geared toward drivers of school buses and delivery vehicles is available. These drivers can "make a pledge not to idle unnecessarily" and receive a thank-you keyring as well. 

Community Program - In addition to schools, the No Idle Zone is reaching into communities and neighborhoods in the Spokane-area.  Congratulations to the City of Liberty Lake, Washington! They are the first city in Washington to pass a No Idle Zone resolution to support and encourage their residents to avoid unnecessary idling in their community. The City Millwood, Washington also recently adopted a No Idle Zone resolution.

Sign up today!
This program is available throughout Spokane County. To sign up and get your free materials, contact Tom Brattebo, AmeriCorp Member and Program Coordinator, 477-4727, ext. #126 or email him: tbrattebo@spokanecleanair.org

The No Idle Zone AmeriCorps Position is Open! Closes July 18, 2008. Click here for details.

This program is proudly sponsored by:

A special thanks!
Thank you to Spokane Transit Authority for supporting the No Idle Zone Program.
 

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a National Service movement with its roots in the Peace Corps and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). AmeriCorps provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to complete a term of service. Nationwide there are over 600 AmeriCorps programs providing part-time and full-time service to communities in the areas of health and human needs, public safety, homeland security, education and the environment. The AmeriCorps web page <www.americorps.org <http://www.americorps.org/> > has a full listing of programs by state and focus areas.

The No Idle Zone AmeriCorps Position is Open! Closes July 18, 2008. Click here for details.

What is Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI)?
PCEI’s Idaho Environmental Education Corps is a partnership between the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) and Serve Idaho, the governor’s commission on service and volunteerism. PCEI is committed to increasing citizen involvement in decisions that affect our region’s environment through community organizing and education.