Student environmental groups get $1K awards
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POLSON — Some efforts to get youth involved in recycling has paid off, literally.
The EAGLES, or Environmental Advocates for Global and Local Ecological Sustainability, student groups at Arlee and Mission middle and high schools were recently recognized for their efforts. Each group received a $1,000 check from Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney on April 24 as winners in the state’s Smart School Recycling Challenge.
The Smart School awards, which include categories for energy, green and recycling challenges, went to 13 schools across the state.
Mike Durglo, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ environmental division manager, said the schools together collected more than 14,000 pounds of recyclables in the 2015-16 school year.
CSKT purchased recycling bins and a cargo trailer for the schools, said Durglo, who noted that each school will now get to decide how to spend the $1,000 to further their recycling efforts.
EAGLES groups have also been established at Ronan, Polson, Hot Springs and Two Eagle River schools. Typically a school science teacher acts as a facilitator, Durglo said, adding that he’s trying to get groups started at Charlo and Dixon schools.
In addition to recycling, the EAGLES are involved in other activities. A hydroponic garden, for example, has been started by students at Mission with produce such as basil, cilantro and lettuce being grown.
Mission High School and Middle School Principal Shawn Hendrickson said the school’s EAGLES Club recycled just under 30 pounds of material for every student in middle and high school for a total of about 7,000 pounds.
“We recycle cardboard, paper, newspapers, plastic bottles and aluminum cans,” he said.
The Mission students plan to use the $1,000 check to buy containers to put recycling bins outside the school so community members can drop off items.
“We also have a trailer that we use to haul the materials, and we want to maybe spend some money getting the trailer more organized,” he said.
Principal Hendrickson welcomes the state’s support. “We are thankful that entities at the state level are encouraging recycling and sustainable energy policies within our public schools.”
In Arlee, environmental science teacher Bonnie White said students collected over 8,000 pounds of cardboard, aluminum, plastic, and paper during the school year.
“It was fun to see smaller schools do so well with less students,” she said. “Our kids worked really hard.”
A friendly competition as well as the desire to help the environment kept both Arlee and Mission schools motivated to collect thousands of pounds of materials, White said.
“Mike Durglo started the EAGLES Clubs on the reservation, and we piloted the program,” she said. “This year, we helped Mission start a club and it’s great to see them doing so well.”
The Arlee Eagles Club also wants to purchase recycling bins with their $1,000 reward and continue the project. “We want to put out recycling bins made of recycled material and get the community involved.”
