On Tuesday, March 10, 83 students from 18 schools, staff from seven partner organizations, Washington Green Schools and Clark County Green Schools came together for the annual Student Summit. In the past the Summit has been held in the fall in the form of a kickoff for Green Teams to start the school year with knowledge and resources to help with their school sustainability projects. For the tenth anniversary of the Summit, we worked with Washington Green Schools and partners to move the event to the spring in order to incorporate a "share-out" about projects in progress (or completed) by the Green Teams in attendance. 

At the Summit, students learned from experts about various topics in sustainability, presented posters about their projects and shared tips and advice with peers from schools all around Clark County. Sessions explored the science behind composting, participated in role-play inspired by local/national/international environmental leaders and learned how to collect air quality data. 

Schools represented at the Summit were:

Evergreen Public Schools

Burton Elementary, Columbia Valley Elementary, Endeavour Elementary, Illahee Elementary, Marrion Elementary and Riverview Elementary

Camas School District

Dorothy Fox Elementary, Grass Valley Elementary and Lacamas Lake Elementary

Vancouver Public Schools

Gaiser Middle, Roosevelt Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary and Walnut Grove Elementary

Hockinson School District

Hockinson Heights Elementary

Battle Ground Public Schools

Pleasant Valley Elementary

Washougal School District

Gause Elementary

Private schools

Our Lady of Lourdes

State schools

Washington State School for the Blind

Green Teams were also able to connect with community partners who offer resources and assistance for school sustainability projects in various areas, like energy conservation and school gardens. Partners in attendance included: Clark County Master Composter Recyclers, Clark County Nature Network, Clark County Clean Water and the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this revamped Summit a success!