For students interested in sustainability, there are two student-run clubs that focus on environmental issues—the Sustainability Board and LORAX. Katie Friis (I), Jason Kong (I) and Juliana Viola (I) are the co-heads the Sustainability Board, which is the official school group that focuses on environmental efforts at Milton. Named for the Dr. Seuss character that “speaks for the trees,” LORAX is a student group established in 1987 that raises awareness of the environment and our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. Joy Lee (I) and Will Pincince (I) are the co-heads. Both groups were active this year with a wide range of initiatives around campus.
“The Sustainability Board started off the school year by distributing Nalgene reusable water bottles to every Upper School student and faculty member that wanted one, a project that we began working on last spring to get approval by the administration and funding from the school,” says Katie. “The goal was to encourage students to use reusable water bottles rather than plastic water bottles. The bookstore told us that bottled water sales have significantly dropped this year, so we are hoping Milton can become a plastic water bottle-free campus in coming years.”
The Board also worked with Flik Dining Services to develop menus and food pledges during Earth Month in April. Alex Chen (II) worked on installing more raised bed gardens on campus, and the Board is working with the community engagement board to facilitate student volunteers to tend the garden. They also formed an Independent Schools Sustainability Coalition and hosted the first conference at Milton.
LORAX members were also busy this year. Joy says, “This year, LORAX was devoted to inspiring environmental awareness and conversations through student discussions. We discussed the causes, effects and long-term solutions of a range of environmental issues such as environmental policy, marine ecosystems, pollution, biodiversity and food waste. Projects including trash pickups and creating a bio water filter further informed our discussions.”
LORAX also hosted the Earth Day Assembly speaker this week. Former Congressman Bob Inglis, a conservative Republican from South Carolina, talked about his work of trying to get other conservative politicians to act against climate change and to find solutions through the free market.