Sustainability Spotlight: Climate Champions at Saratoga CLC

The district’s first ever Climate Champions Club was started at the Saratoga Elementary Community Learning Center in the spring of 2021. The District LPS Sustainability Team enjoyed serving as the club leaders and used this experience to pilot the lessons in hopes of this club being implemented at other schools in the future. 

The idea for this club was sparked by a partnership with the City of Lincoln as they strived to reach youth with their Climate Action Plan community engagement. Topics in the club centered around the action areas mentioned in the Lincoln Climate Action Plan. Each week the Climate Champions learned about a new topic relating to climate action and sustainability. Some of these subjects included renewable energy, sustainable transportation, water conservation, waste diversion, and the harmful effects of too many greenhouse gases.

The highlight of the club experience for many of the members was their chance to interview Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird about the Lincoln Climate Action Plan and give their opinions on steps Lincoln could take. However, students also got to engage with other community organizations like Lincoln Electric System, the Lincoln Waste Diversion Coordinator, UNL Environmental Studies students, and more.

All schools are encouraged to have some sort of student green team, which could be named a lot of different things like Environmental Club, Eco Club, Neature Club (LSE), or even Climate Champions. Whatever the name, the LPS Sustainability team is here to support those students and club leaders who would like to take on these activities in their schools and in the community.

Thank you to Saratoga CLC for being Sustainability Champions!