Citizen Science Lending Library and resources:
Some of the resources that will be included in CSCR’s lending library include: EnviroBucket ™️’s for air and soil testing, environmental health brochures, pamphlets and books on citizen science and community organizing.
It all started when…
Tonawanda’s citizen scientists and the Tonawanda Coke story were featured in two nationally released books about how the residents used an “Air” Testing Home Depot ®️ Bucket to win back their right to breathe clean air. They got a 92% reduction in benzene (a carcinogen) in their communities since Tonawanda Coke closed in October 2018. And to think, it all started with just a few neighbors tired of breathing in stinky air and deciding to do something about it. These books, including the residents story, plus newer versions of the “Air” and “Soil” buckets, now called EnviroBucket ™️’s, will be available for borrowing to all WNY residents in CSCR’s Lending Library. Additionally, CSCR will support the kits by training folks how to use them and how to use the results to clean up your neighborhood too.
CSCR members are working hard to get these kits ready for launch in 2021. They will be available for anyone in WNY to borrow for free. However, testing costs are extra*. For neighbors in the City and Town of Tonawanda and Eastern Grand Island impacted by Tonawanda’s legacy industry, testing will be free if certain fundraising targets are met. Here are the goals:
$2,000 : Lending library will open (via Library To Go feature, residents will order ahead of time to ensure safe physical distancing protocols). The library will include: 2 soil testing kits (testing costs will be extra*), 1 ph/nutrient soil testing kit, training materials for the kits, several books and informational material (citizen science, environmental health and community organizing).
$3,200: Lending library will open , plus CSCR will hire a soil sampling technician to help provide soil kit training and testing services to 5 residents. Will also interpret results (reports) and guide residents in determining “next step” ideas and solutions.
$4,500: Lending library will open, plus CSCR will hire a soil sampling technician to help provide soil kit training, and testing services to 10 residents. Will also interpret results (reports) and guide residents in determining next step solutions.
To learn more about CSCR’s Healthy Soil + Healthy Gardens = Healthy Communities project in the Tonawanda’s, Riverside and Grand Island , click here.
* check out our soil testing prices
Resources
What’s Included in CSCR’s soil toolkit and why should you use it.
Things to Consider When Testing Your Soil for Environmental Contamination
Soil Sampling Toolkit Demonstration
Preparing your soil samples for shipment to the laboratory
EnviroBucket ™️ Instruction Manual
High school Curriculum (Contact us to receive a passcode to access this resource)