Youth activists lead way

Students from seven schools across the Lowcountry gathered at Riverfront Park in North Charleston on May 22 to celebrate a year of hard work and to have a little fun.

Earth Force's 11th annual Youth Environmental Summit was a hit for the local nonprofit and its environmentally eager young activists. The summit showcased both students and organizations striving to make the Lowcountry a greener and better place.

Of the 1,200 youths involved in the Earth Force program, about 400 elementary and middle school students attended the summit, with about 20 community partners that have helped along the way.

The summit was also a chance for the students to share service projects they've developed and present what they've done to help their community. The projects were all student-led and included working to protect sea turtles; enhancing school recycling and composting efforts; and educating the community about the importance of native plants.

At James Island Middle School, some sixth-graders found that much litter in their community was due to litterbug motorists, so they came up with a creative way to help solve that problem.

With money from an S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control grant, the sixth-graders made 700 waterproof car trash bags, which look similar to a lunch bag but fit around a car seat's headrest. Students then handed the bags out to drivers stopping through a local Sonic Drive-In and showed people how to put them on.

Anna Richardson, executive director of Lowcountry Earth Force, said she's amazed at what the students can accomplish. They aren't just the leaders of tomorrow but are the leaders of today, she said.

In its 11th year, the program has been through an evolution. It began with a handful of teachers and now has more than half a dozen schools involved, Richardson said.

"The program shows that young people can make an impact today," Richardson said. "The youth do have a valuable voice, and they can have a say now."

Buist Academy seventh-graders Drew Atz and Harris Lynam both agreed that practicing environmentally friendly habits at an earlier age is a great idea.

"Pollution can go a long way, and we all pollute," said Drew, 12.

"So we have to recycle and save the Earth because it's the only Earth we have," added Harris, 13. "And it's not going to grow back."

Community partners such as the Grice Marine Lab, the Michaux Conservancy, the Mayor's Office for Children, Youth and Families, and the South Carolina Aquarium were also on hand to show students how their organization benefits the community.

From water conservation to the restoration of oyster habitats, students were able to learn an abundant amount of information and explore possible career opportunities — not to mention getting to pet lots of animals.

At the water systems treatment station, the kids learned that fixing a leaky toilet could save around 200 gallons of water each day, and that 75 percent of the Earth is made up of water but only 1 percent of that is treatable to drink.

At the end of the event, Earth Force youths presented the results of their service-learning projects through creative on-stage presentations.

Sixth-grader Jerome Smalls, 12, at James Island Middle made a "green rap" explaining what he and his classmates did to help reduce the use of plastic bags. His class passed out donated canvas bags to people in their community.

"Even in school, we can make a difference," Jerome said.

Other schools that attended the summit were Belle Hall Elementary, Charleston Day School, Haut Gap Middle, Stiles Point Elementary and Stono Park Elementary.

Reach Almar Flotildes at 937-5659 or aflotildes@postand courier.com.