About

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DOTTIE BAUMGARTEN
145 Harrison Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
215-870-5650
dottiebaumgarten@gmail.com

I’ve been working as an environmental consultant/educator since 2009. Here is a brief summary of things that I have done which provide the background of experience that I bring to the table in my current work. My goal is to help provide accurate information to the public as we all attempt to make best choices to care for the environment, since we depend on the environment to take care of us.

Environmental Education Consultant for the Philadelphia Water Department

Since 2009, I have been leading tours of both the sewage and drinking water treatment plants, visiting classrooms with a watershed lesson, providing educational tables at public events, and talking to business owners or other adults concerning stormwater run off.  The main message is that we drink our local surface water, so protecting that water is a great idea.  This outreach is provided free of charge to Philadelphia watershed residents.

Sustainable Science Teacher, The Montessori School, Dresher, PA

At The Montessori School, I teach weekly lessons that focus on sustainable science, such as composting, vegetable gardens, food preservation, the seasons, exploring the local woods and stream, and bird or insect studies.  We have started an annual stormwater management project completed by the upper elementary students.

Preschool Science, House at Pooh Corner, Philadelphia, PA

I regularly teach science lessons to preschool students.  Our topics include seasonal changes, plants and animals, gardening, compost, water and sensory explorations.

Cheltenham Township Environmental Advisory Council

The Cheltenham Township EAC advises residents and Commissioners on environmental topics and earth-friendly choices.  I chaired the Communications Committee in 2012 and 2013. My term is complete in 2014.

Grove Park, Cheltenham Township

I am the leader of Friends of Grove Park, a group dedicated to promoting stewardship and recreational use of a beloved, local, 3-acre park.  This tiny and well-used park could be nurtured into a native plant haven as well as a natural stormwater sponge, which will lessen flooding.  The stream running through it is locally called Shady Nook Creek

Science Teacher at Oak Lane Day School, Blue Bell, PA

I taught elementary science at Oak Lane Day School for ten years. In additon to teaching all science classes and leading students through the natural portions of the school’s 30-acre property, I expanded the school’s environmental education program and organized community outreach, including workshops, invasive species removal events, and public presentations. During my tenure, I received the Schuylkill Action Network Educational Sector Source Water Protection Award, obtained grants from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and facilitated several community events which supported local plant and conservation efforts. My collaborators included Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (Tree Tenders).

Public Speaking

Current:

  • Clean Water Partners Business Presentation
    Businesses and property owners can choose to protect their local water resources by controlling rain water run off amount and cleanliness. Learn best management practices. Appropriate for many adult audiences. This presentation is free within Philadelphia watersheds.
  • Watersheds: Using the watershed model EnviroScape
    Children and adults learn about rain water run off as together we explore how to promote clean water to protect our source of drinking water. This workshop is free within Philadelphia watersheds.

I have given public speeches at school events, community forums, and teacher trainings, including:

  • Elementary Education and Environmental Stewardship Leads to Knowledge of Water Resources and Community-based Action at Oak Lane Day School, Watershed Summit on the Delaware: Making the Connection, September 14, 2004. Repeated for Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission monthly meeting, Fall 2004.
  • Sense of Place at Oak Lane Day School, PowerPoint presentation on habitat restoration at Oak Lane Day school, with Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to promote their habitat restoration program to teachers and community groups, approximately 8 times 2004-2006.
  • Habitat Restoration at Oak Lane Day School: Elementary Environmental Education. (#88), Delaware Estuary Environmental Summit 2007, Lewes, Delaware, January 23, 2007.
  • How to Teach a Fourth Grade Mold Symposium, Dottie Baumgarten, Oak Lane Day School and Rosanne Mistretta, Abington Friends School at the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association, 2006 and Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, 2007.
  • Faith and Sustainability, Germantown Mennonite Church August 2007; two or three other talks over the last 10 years.