Youth Environmental Leadership

Project Summary

Students started an environmental action team that saved over 200 pounds of paper from landfills in just two weeks.

Detailed Story

In Columbus Grove, students transformed their school using TCI’s resources. The Ecolizers team origin traces back to a teacher cohort out of Columbus, Ohio, where Chris learned about outdoor schools and green education practices. One of the program’s requirements was starting an “Eco Action Team” and that’s how the Ecolizers were born. The team is working to earn enough points for Green School Certification through the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), completing a range of actions along the way.

The initiative the students are most proud of is their paper recycling program. Rather than simply being told what to do, students led the process from the ground up: they audited the school to determine whether a recycling program was actually needed, submitted supply requests, decorated and distributed recycling bins throughout the building, and now collect the paper weekly. In just two weeks, their student-led effort diverted over 200 pounds of paper from the landfill.

As Chris explains, “I live in a rural conservative agricultural area, in other words not the most supportive of climate education. However, seeing the students care and listen with open minds gives me hope that they can break away from misinformation they hear from their families and come to their own conclusions.” The project stands as a reminder that student-led environmental action can take root and thrive even in communities where climate education isn’t the norm.

Impact Statement

Diverted over 200 pounds of paper from landfills in just two weeks and initiated a path toward National Wildlife Federation Green School Certification.