Sustainability Spotlight: Sustainability Team Interns
Two new excited faces have joined LPS Sustainability this summer! We have asked each of our interns, both new and old, to share a little bit about themselves, their goals within the Sustainability Team and where they’re headed.
Adrianna Zeljko: Gardens and Outdoor Learning
Adrianna Zeljko joined the LPS Sustainability team in May 2025. Zeljko is a senior at UNL pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in environmental science and minors in water science and fisheries & wildlife. Through her role, Zeljko’s goal is to support and grow sustainable practices across Lincoln Public Schools.
“I love the idea of fostering sustainability practices in the younger generation,” Zeljko said. “I think young people have lots of potential to make a difference.”
In her role as the Gardens and Outdoor Learning Intern, Zeljko supports the maintenance and establishment of gardens at LPS sites, assists with the Farm to School grant and organizes garden gatherings. Recently, Zeljko has been working to create and update maps with the locations of gardens and outdoor learning spaces across LPS.
“It’s important to have a resource that people from our community can easily access to get an overview of gardens at their local school,” she said.
As Zeljko works with garden mapping, she emphasized how simply knowing the locations and success of other gardens can help facilitate new gardens at schools across the district.
After graduation, Zeljko hopes to work locally in the natural resources field, promoting sustainability through policy, maintenance and community.
“I would love to work for a government department or organization that maintains our water, soil, energy, or wildlife. However, I am open to exploring any opportunities that come my way!”
Itai Trainin: Outreach and Engagement
Itai Trainin became a member of the LPS Sustainability team in May 2025. He is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental and sustainability studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Trainin said that he is most excited about working with the Lincoln Public Schools’ community.
“I am very excited to work on outreach events and communicating with parents, staff and students directly. I love being on the ground for events like Bike to School Day or during other school- and club-hosted sustainability events!”
Trainin has worked on a variety of communications-based projects over the summer, including the creation of social media posts, written content and advertising for sustainability events. He feels that the importance of his work comes through connecting students, staff and parents to sustainable efforts across LPS.
“Almost all people will interact with K-12 education at some point in their lives. Sustainability in education provides a great opportunity for making real and substantial change from the ground up!”
He is currently working on creating stronger communication between LPS clubs and a system for stronger connection to the local community in sustainable ventures. Trainin hopes to inspire action throughout schools and local communities.
“Getting information about Lincoln Public Schools’ sustainable initiatives out to the people who are interested and local communities will hopefully inspire new and long lasting sustainable actions!”
After graduation, Trainin plans on pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD), with hopes to work in environmental policy and law.
“Policy is an area where environmental causes face a difficult challenge. I would like to help remove those barriers and make substantial changes to policy surrounding the environment and sustainability.”
Katie Berck: Gardens and Outdoor Learning
Katie Berck joined the LPS Sustainability team in February 2024. She graduated in May from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in in environmental studies and a minor in fisheries and wildlife. Berck said she first learned about LPS Sustainability’s work through her classes at UNL.
“I always thought it sounded like a great environment to work in, and I was right!” she said.
Berck supports school gardens and outdoor classrooms around the district by collaborating with LPS staff, students and community partners. Lately, she has been busy mapping trees across the district and working to build a tree inventory for all schools.
“I’ve been really enjoying working on mapping all of the schools and putting together a sustainability dashboard for the district,” she said. “It will be such a great tool for both schools and the greater community.”
Berck is still exploring the career field in sustainability with hopes to pursue a career in environmental engagement and outdoor education, as well as fostering rescue cats.
We’re so excited to have such a wide range of interests and expertise on the Sustainability Team! If any of our interns could assist in your classroom, club or event, please feel free to reach out to us at sustainability@lps.org.
Updated July 14, 2025
