Start an Ecology Club

Permission from the Principal:
Once you have established goals and objectives for the club, make an appointment with your principal to share your terrific ideas. Be sure to allow enough time.

• What do you want to accomplish?
• Will you have help from other adults?
• Write a mission statement or purpose to stay focused.

Plan of Action may include the following:
The Format

• Faculty Sponsor
• Age of members
• Projects
• Length of meetings
• Meeting place
• Meeting schedule
• Number of members
• Time of day

What Are You Comfortable Doing?
Club Activities may vary according to the members’ interests, ages, experiences, time allotment, other adult helpers, etc.

Suggestions:

• Make a DVD that highlights your school and community recycling program.
• Place member-made posters in school or the community promoting the “Three R’s” plus the fourth “R: Buy Recycled”.
• Secure a column in the monthly newsletter and a “notice” board in a common area.
• Create games or puzzles that teach in a fun way and could be shared with classrooms.
• Play SWANCC’s Recycling Facts Game.
• Write a poem or song for the school newsletter or for an assembly.
• Make recycled paper, jewelry and picture frames to possibly raffle off or sell at the holiday boutique. Visit swancc.org for instructions.
• Arrange a field trip to local a nature center or other eco-friendly site, or invite SWANCC staff to give a presentation.

How About the “Greening” of Your School?

Worms anyone? Vermi-Composting is fun! wormwoman.com

Waste-Free Lunches are a popular and easy way for kids to see waste reduction in action.
wastefreelunches.org

Try a “Trading Tuesday”, where students trade books, toys, CD’s, prom dresses, etc.

Initiate a paper recycling program and watch the recycling efforts grow by contacting Abitibi Recycling.
paperretriever.com

Display special projects and on-going information on a centrally located bulletin board for the Earth Club

Encourage the procurement of recycled content school supplies for the school store.
greenearthofficesupply.com

Will Your Club Be Involved in Global Issues?

• Air, Soil, Water
• Coral Reef
• Endangered Plants and Animals
• Energy
• Pollution
• Rainforest
• Wetlands
• Wildlife

A Community Partnership

When your town becomes a partner, your audience will grow. If there is a specific issue pertaining to the community of which the school is part, perhaps the club will:

• Write letters to Village Officials
• Invite guest speakers (knowledgeable about the issue) to address the school
• Plan a meeting with the Village Administration
• Write a column in the local paper

The local officials could also be an ally for any of the special events (listed earlier).

PROMOTE THE CLUB

• bulletin boards
• morning announcements
• newsletter to parents
• posters
• school paper
• school website
• student generated video
• word of mouth

Most importantly, be comfortable with the programs you and your club embrace!

Download How To Start an Ecology Club.