Youth

Author

SUE ROEGGE

"As high school youth we have the power to unite. Instead of small organizations, we can come together as students representing all of Minnesota high schools to initiate real environmental action and to make change happen."

-Ethan Buckner, YEA Minnesota

Author

Roots and Shoots Program Founder at St. Paul Central

Sarah Waddle's eighth grade teacher inspired her to learn about Jane Goodall and her organization, Roots and Shoots. Sarah founded a Roots and Shoots group at St Paul's Central High School in her sophomore year.

One of Sarah's dream projects for the group is to install a green roof at St. Paul Central. Her Roots and Shoots club is fortunate enough to have Macalester College nearby and was able to meet with students and tour their green roof.

Footnotes/Endnotes

Resources:

Roots & Shoots, rootsandshoots.org

To plan her event, Sarah found contact information for green businesses from Do It Green! Magazine (doitgreen.org) and Blue Sky Guide (ecometro.com)

Author

Environmental Political Forum

Emma, driven to initiate environmental change, directed the energy she formerly expended on the soccer field to being a founding member of YEA (Youth Environmental Activists of) Minnesota, speaking at the Neighborhood Sustainability Conference and helping Will Steger at his Focus the Nation event at First Avenue. She also chose to put on an Environmental Political Forum for her senior project.

Emma brought together legislators representing Eagan, Apple Valley, and Rosemount with local high school students to allow the students to

Author

SUE ROEGGE

Like many people, I was deeply affected by the movie An Inconvenient Truth in the summer of 2006. I "greened" my family's life and was honored to be accepted as a volunteer public speaker. Through the Climate Project, I was trained by Al Gore and his scientific advisors for my mission: to present and discuss climate change in my own community.

I'm a social studies teacher and a parent of two high school students, so I primarily addressed school groups. I'm proud of the fact that I spoke to over 40 groups in the spring of 2007, but what I've found most

Author

SUE ROEGGE

So, you've got a few students who want to start an environmental club? Great! Here are some tips on how to get a club started and how to keep it going strong.

Focus on your core group of people who show up. Oftentimes, their excitement for the group will naturally recruit others to join in.

Outreach = participation, get the word out!  Parents teacher conferences; all-school announcements; school newsletter, newspaper or website; posters; facebook; email lists, etc.

Author

SUE ROEGGE

The Minnesota Energy Challenge

Can be used by club members or friendly competitions between classes, sports teams, etc.:
mnenergychallenge.org, 612-335-5852

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Global Warming projects

Project ideas and lesson plans:
willstegerfoundation.org
612-278-7147

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Recycling