Image above: This map will guide participants to the five Greenateering stations at the KSC All-American Picnic's Sustainability Fair. Image credit: NASA › View larger image
Image above: Posters, like this one on composting, will mark the Greenateering stations at the KSC All-American Picnic's Sustainability Fair. Image credit: NASA › View larger image
Image above: Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, under NASA insignia, and the 2012 All-American Picnic committee display the KSC Picnic ticket. Image credit: NASA/Tony Gray › View larger imageSustainability is an adventure children will take part in this weekend at the NASA Kennedy Space Center All-American Picnic as they earn the title "Greenateer." Adults will take part, too, even if they don't realize it. That's because the center's sustainability team designed the activities and fixtures common at a picnic to be environmentally friendly. That means utensils and flatware designed for composting instead of landfills and numerous other steps. For the children, the activities are set up to offer them the adventure of environmentally conscious living. "A Greenateer is someone between the ages of 4-17 who participates in the Greenateering Adventure to better understand how being green conserves energy, reduces pollution and saves money," said Alice Smith, Kennedy Space Center's Recycling and Sustainable Acquisition Program manager. "While environmentally friendly activities have been popular for many decades, being a Greenateer takes it to another level." As Kennedy celebrates its 50th anniversary, the center has proven to be a leader in sustainability. The past five All-American Picnics have diverted more than 7 tons of picnic-related waste from local landfills. The food and drinks will be served using plates, bowls, cups and utensils that are biodegradable and compostable. They're all made of corn, sugarcane or recycled paper and will become healthy new soil for the Earth in just a few months.