Reducing Litter and Trash in School Parking Lots

2023, JOHNSTOWN, COLORADO, USA

Alexa Tovar and Jonathan Carlson, students from Roosevelt, took decisive action to address the issue of excessive trash in the school parking lots by implementing effective solutions such as trash cans and nets on school grounds. Recognizing the lack of accessible trash cans in their school parking lots, which resulted in litter scattered across the school grounds, Alexa and Jonathan decided to conduct a comprehensive survey of the junior parking lot. Their survey revealed an alarming count of over 350 pieces of trash dispersed throughout that particular lot. To tackle this ongoing problem, they took proactive measures by strategically placing trash cans at light posts and installing nets in areas prone to wind-blown litter. These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce the amount of trash making its way into the local watershed, thereby safeguarding animals and vegetation from harm caused by environmental pollution. This solution addressed Targets 14.1 and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Helping Our Watershed One Bioreactor at a Time

2023, LOVELAND, COLORADO, USA

Ella Corrigan and Reagan McWhinney from Resurrection Christian School addressed the use of toxic chemical fertilizers by creating 7 compost systems, specifically John-Su Bioreactors. Improper use of chemical fertilizers adds high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment causing eutrophication. Food waste also generates methane gas, contributing to climate change. With the help of the Johnson-Su bioreactors, microorganisms and nutrients can be added to the soil without the use of harmful chemicals. Furthermore, local food waste will be limited by this new composting opportunity. Throughout this semester, Ella and Reagan built and filled the bioreactors which are now on the RCS farm. In merely 9-12 months, the nutrients will be ready for farming and gardening use. This solution addressed Targets 12.5 and 15.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bat Boxes

2023, GREELEY, COLORADO, USA

The Intense Functional Learning class from Greeley Central High School addressed the decreasing population of endangered bats by building bat boxes. There are several species of endangered bats that are native to Colorado. With fewer trees in the cities and along trails, it is increasingly dangerous for them to live. The class built bat boxes to give bats a safe place to live. This will help bats survive and repopulate the area. Placing bat boxes along the Poudre River Trail gives bats a place to stay safe and warm near water so they can survive through any condition. The boxes will be monitored for use and if any endangered species take up residence within them. This solution addressed Targets 15.1 and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Purple Martin Towers

2022, Herndon, Virginia, USA

We are the Herndon Elementary School Bee’s Green Team! In 2022 we won 1^st place in the Chesapeake Bay Caring for Our watershed contest with our project, “Purple Martin Project” and we installed 2 purple martin towers on our school property with funding from this competition. Why? This bird species has been declining and plays a vital role in improving the biodiversity of ecosystems in our community and around the world.

Now, we are expanding our idea to help others build Purple Martin Towers in their communities in order to help the Purple Martins thrive there. As the international idea for the 2022-23 school year, Purple Martin towers will be installed in each CFW region internationally! We are excited to continue to work as a school, and throughout other schools along the Purple Martin’s migratory path, to manage and monitor the tower and species with a bird watching area.

Check out our demonstration of setting up and cleaning out your purple martin towers here:

To FLY you must eat first!

Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

The monarch butterfly population is decreasing fast which is why Jake Anselmo from Rocky Mountain High School decided to take action. Monarch butterflies migrate across the continent providing an invaluable service as pollinators. Their role as pollinators is essential for many ecosystems to thrive. In an effort to address his concern, Jake planted native milkweed in his watershed. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed for laying their eggs and for nourishment. Milkweed, unfortunately, has also decreased in Jake’s watershed due to the loss of habitat from land development and the improper spraying of weed killer. To make his impact count, Jake distributed milkweeds to his peers at school for planting. Jake also planted milkweed in a personal garden and in a garden near his school. Jake’s solution helps contribute to Target 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

outside garden containing milkweed plant, student standing in garden

There’s No Plan Bee

Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

The bee population is decreasing across the United States due to habitat loss. Their population decline could result in major effects on native plants and crops as bees play a vital role in our watersheds. Sadie Gudmestad and Evelyn Railsback from Rocky Mountain High School decided to take action by educating elementary students about these essential pollinators and how they benefit their watershed. Sadie and Evelyn presented to 150 elementary students in two different schools. Each student also received a kit containing flower seeds, a flowerpot, and a soil disc. With these kits, students were given the opportunity to grow a bee habitat around their homes to help address the decline in bee population. Sadie and Evelyns’ project contributed to Target of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Students presenting in front of screen to class, classroom view of students presenting

Sustainable Rain Garden

Dayspring Christian Academy, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Jacob Riemer, Elijah Dougherty, Malachi Fast, and Jack Lawrence from Dayspring Christian Academy noticed that water was running off the streets and their school parking lot, carrying pollutants into water sources. Their school did not yet have a water collection system in place to help filter runoff water. That’s why this team decided to install a rain garden at the end of their school’s courtyard. This location was ideal for their rain garden as the water from their school’s parking lot often ended up in this area. Plants native to Colorado were planted in the garden. These plants require little water to thrive making them sustainable for the area and will play a vital role for pollinators. Within the first summer of completing this project, water has already filled this rain garden! This team hopes to incorporate some educational activities in the near future for the elementary students to utilize and learn at the rain garden. With their project, Jacob, Elijah, Malachi, and Jack contributed to Targets 6.3 and 15.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sketch of rain garden, students digging out rain garden by school, finish rain garden by school

Seed Bombs and Pots for Seniors

Greeley Central High School, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Leighann Silvernail from Greeley Central High School was aware that pollinator habitats have been declining and wanted to do something about it. Leighann worked with their environmental club to give peers the opportunity to build seed bombs and paint terracotta pots during earth week. This event was strategically organized to give students the opportunity to socialize with one another after a difficult year with COVID-19. The seed bombs contained native wildflower seeds encased in pulverized paper. When the seed bombs were complete, students took them home along with an informational flyer describing how to plant and maintain the seed bombs so they would hopefully bloom –benefitting pollinators. The painted terracotta plants, that were to include basil plants grown in upcycled plastic containers, were donated to seniors at a local senior home. This project allowed students to artistically express themselves through the painting of terracotta pots, create seed bombs that would benefit pollinators, enjoy an opportunity to socialize with peers, and gift seniors a decoration piece for their room that would further benefit pollinators by contributing to better air quality. Leighann’s project addressed Targets 12.5 and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Round seed bombs sitting on newspaper, terracotta painted pots sitting on table

Pollinator Planters

Greeley West High School, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Through their environmental class, Joselly Vazquez and Gabriella Lam from Greeley West High School learned about the impacts housing development has had on pollinators. Pollinators play a vital role creating and maintaining ecosystems that many animals depend on whether it’s for food and/or shelter. Almost 80% of our food and plant-based industrial products require pollination by animals. Flowering plants also play a crucial role in watersheds as they help purify water, prevent erosion, and return moisture to the atmosphere. The population of pollinators, especially bees, are decreasing due to habitat loss from increased development –and development in Greeley is continuing to grow rapidly. If local pollinators are affected, the food chain along with water quality will be compromised. To address this concern, Joselly and Gabriella upcycled filing cabinets from their school and turned them into pollinator planters which were then installed around their new school building. Joselly and Gabriella provided habitat and food source for pollinators while also preventing some filing cabinets from being thrown into the landfill. Their project contributed to Targets 6.3, 12.5, and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Recycled filing cabinet with pollinator plants in them, planters positioned outside of school, students posing

Can Soil Really Damage Our Economy?

Rocky Mountain HS, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

As of 2022, the Cameron Peak Fire has been the largest wildfire in Colorado history. It is suspected to be human caused. After remaining under 25,000 acres for three weeks, dry conditions and high winds fed the fire allowing it to burn 208,913 acres in total. The fire started on August 13, 2020, and wildlife, humans, and other organisms in this watershed are continuing to feel the impacts of this fire more and more – and will continue to be a trend. Miles Willard from Rocky Mountain High School had firsthand experience seeing the effects from the fire and wanted to take action. The destruction from the fire left behind very little vegetation increasing erosion. This in turn contaminates runoff water with ash, soil, and debris and is exacerbated during flooding events. To address his concern, Miles worked with the City of Greeley and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed to plan 300 ponderosa pines in the Sheep Creek area of the Cache La Poudre Watershed. These trees are instrumental in forming natural barriers and holding soil in place and out from the river, with their roots spanning over a mile deep, while also providing habitats for wildlife. Miles contributed to Targets 6.6 and 15.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fire remnants in snow, burned forest in winter, student posing