Students Awarded Funding to Sponsor Earth Force Projects

Earth Force students in ten schools wrote mini grants after deciding as a class, an environmental issue they wanted to address together. Community partners helped students understand issues with enough depth to allow students to create sustainable solutions. Part of the grant process included completion of a budget and presentation of their case before a review panel.

Congratulations to the following schools:

Azalea Elementary students hope to make their world cleaner by raising awareness in their community about the difference conservation of resources can make.

Canterbury will create habitat on school campus to attract wildlife; use of Florida native plants will allow water to be conserved. Students and campus staff will learn about wildlife issues through their efforts.

Incarnation Catholic students were tired of taking detours around flooded areas on campus when it rained. With the help of a volunteer civil engineer, students created a plan to address campus flooding. They will regrade their drainage ditch and use plants to reduce erosion.

JS Robinson Elementary will be addressing the overabundance of invasive species at Crystal Springs Preserve by growing Florida native plants at school, then transplanting them in the preserve.

Lockhart Elementary students believe that people can change ad habits if they have the right type and amount of educational experiences. To that end, their funds will go toward campaign efforts to reduce litter on campus. They will also use the funds to add garbage cans on campus.

Lutz Elementary presented their plan to create a garden beside the entrance to their local library so citizens will relax and “smell the roses”.

Seeking to make their school more energy efficient, Manatee School for the Arts will educate faculty and students about energy conservation. They have already convinced school staff to turn off lights in campus soda machines to save energy. Funds will go toward purchase of door seals.

Nelson Elementary will counter habitat loss in their area by creating a butterfly garden on campus. A power point presentation will educate the school body about the importance of maintaining a living habitat.

St. Anthony Catholic’s plan to address habitat loss involves the creation of habitat through a pond and bat house.

Tampa Palms Elementary will create habitat on campus and improve the health of their watershed by creating a pond and butterfly garden. Community members will learn about the benefits of this project through a multimedia presentation.

Special thanks to the Florida Aquarium and the following review panelists: Grant Craig, Weedon Island Preserve; Michael Harrison, MacDill Air Force Base; Liz Hunnicutt, Hillsborough County School District; Lauri Kirsch, Hillsborough County School District; Jenny Klimis, Pinellas County School District and Stan Kroh, Tampa Electric Company.