Chelan County students inspire change at state level

Chelan County students were formally invited to present their climate and environmental science projects with legislators and state agency leaders at a statewide summit on Jan. 28.

The annual Environmental & Sustainability Literacy Student Summit, hosted by Pacific Education Institute (PEI) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), invited 22 student groups from around Washington state to share with state legislators, state agencies, community leaders, and each other.

Of those groups, Beaver Valley Elementary’s fourth graders were selected to share their camera trapping program, and Wenatchee High School’s Earth Club presented their school-wide composting initiative.

“I hope that other people can see that you don't have to have a position of authority to make a change. I just started talking to administration and finding solutions, trying to bring people together in the community that we're already trying to make change, and finding money where it is, and just kind of working with what we have,” said Earth Club president and WHS senior Eva Phillippi.

After noticing unsustainable practices in the cafeteria, Phillippi reached out to Winton Manufacturing Compost Works (Winton MFG), a Leavenworth-based composting facility, earlier this year. Winton MFG, alongside Sustainable NCW and Wenatchee Rotary Club, helped the Earth Club do a waste audit on the school, which revealed that 70 percent of the school’s waste could be composted.

Phillippi used Earth Club funds to purchase 10 compost bins for the school cafeteria and kitchen, with Winton MFG providing tools for auditing and sorting, compost bags, and weekly pick-up services. 

“It was kind of crazy to see how much was being wasted and how simple of a fix it would be to switch it…we're lucky enough to have [Winton MFG] as a partner that we're working with super close to our area. But really, it's not that hard of a switch to make, but it makes a big difference,” said clubmember Maren Stuber.

While the high school’s kitchen and janitorial department was quick to accommodate the changes, the Earth Club is still learning ways to educate students and shift behaviors. However, the club has made considerable progress. Since implementation, the school has made the switch from disposable trays to reusable. Phillippi also estimates that the school has diverted about 24 cubic yards since November.

Phillippi, Stuber, and clubmember Ava Jo Berry attended the summit with club adviser Daniel Deal and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher Jenaia Johnson to share their initiative and inspire waste reduction efforts across the state.

“[I hope they] continue advocating and just finding their own passion, especially if it's this route in environmental justice or sustainability, that they can continue to spread that as they move on to college or wherever else,” said Johnson.

For Beaver Valley Elementary fourth graders, presenting their camera trapping program was an opportunity to inspire more classrooms to incorporate outdoor, hands-on learning.

“We think that all schools should have a camera trapping program. That's what the kids are putting out there, is why we think all students in Washington should have a camera trapping program, and how it gets the kids out and having fun getting to know their area,” said Beaver Valley teacher Eric Tiegel.

Through the program, the students study local wildlife through trail cameras placed through the Lake Wenatchee and Plain area, observing changes in the environment and animal behavior throughout the school year. 

Tiegel’s second through fourth grade class receives a visit from the program’s lead Jeff Layton each month to discuss what is currently happening in their environment, and how it may affect the wildlife. Then, the collective K-12 classrooms join together to watch the footage collected from the previous month, such as a coyote eating a bird for a rare winter meal, or identifying a rare mountain beaver scurry across the path.

After reviewing the footage, the classes jump on the school bus and head to one of the camera sites to collect a memory card and change the batteries. During the hike out, students make observations about their current environment, and speculate how the wildlife might be reacting. 

“It makes it feel real, right? So often stuff like this is theoretical, like, ‘This is what scientists do in the world.’ But we're actually out doing it with these kids,” said Layton.

In preparation for the summit, the fourth graders put together a presentation of their findings, accompanied by a posterboard of the animals they have observed. 

“[I hope they see] what’s possible. With a little bit of initiative and imagination and some flexibility from administrators, you know, like you can do some cool stuff,” said Layton.

After presenting, students heard from a panel representing state agencies focused on education and environmental issues, including the Office of Native Education, OSPI, Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife, This is Indian Country, and Thurston Conservation District. They also had the opportunity to visit the Capitol building and meet with legislators from their respective communities.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media