UNL Environmental Studies students teach for Green Apple Day of Service

For several years now, the LPS Sustainability department has partnered with students from the Environmental Studies program at UNL to give them first-hand experience sharing their passion for the environment with the next generation.This year, seven groups of college students worked with LPS teachers on projects for Green Apple Day of Service, a movement that celebrates the role schools have in inspiring future leaders of sustainability.

Projects this semester ranged from presentations on energy conservation to garden clean-up days and activities exploring compost. At Lakeview Elementary, students learned about the importance of conserving resources through an activity with Goldfish crackers.  At Seacrest Field Athletic Complex, UNL students developed reminders for visitors to recycle their cardboard pizza boxes in accordance with Lincoln’s ban on corrugated cardboard in landfills.  

Environmental Studies students looked to make a lasting impact at Meadowlane Elementary with their project.  After a presentation on the importance of sustainable practices, each fifth grade classroom was given a compost container of their very own.  Along with the container came the responsibility to monitor and empty the compost, look for other ways to conserve resources, and be a role model of environmental stewardship for the rest of the school.  

Every project was met with enthusiasm from the LPS students, supplementing their already considerable knowledge about the environment.  This partnership with UNL is a wonderful way bring novel ideas, perspectives, and dedication that help bolster LPS’s sustainability efforts and education.