GreenTalk - Spring / Summer 1996

Macomb High School Goes the Extra Mile

Many high schools across the state are going green; most have an environmental club of some sort, but very few have achieved what Macomb Junior Senior High School (MJSHS) has. Located in western Illinois, MJSHS began its environmental commitment in the classroom. For three years, its Human Ecology course has promoted environmental issues; namely, how we as humans affected and are effected by the ecosystem.

Instructor Cathy Palm-Gessner believes she is educating parents as well as students. "I feel real fortunate to work with such a dedicated group of teenagers. They take the information home and share it with their parents; through this class we are educating the whole Macomb population."

Outside the classroom, the Ecology Club is involved with community affairs. Members show their environmental commitment by participating in Earth Day fairs and nature hikes, but the most powerful demonstration came through their lobbying efforts last year. Students aired their concerns over the absence of a curbside recycling program in Macomb, and their pleas convinced the Macomb City Council to implement one. Thanks to the students of MJSHS, Macomb residents can now leave their recyclables at the curb.

Outside their community, Club members participate in two different river monitoring programs -- Illinois Riverwatch and Illinois Rivers Project. Through Illinois Riverwatch, students are trained to become "citizen scientists," in which they collect and identify microinvertebrates in the LaMoine River. By determining the number and diversity of organisms, the level and types of pollution can be identified.

Students also monitor for nitrates, phosphates and other chemicals through the Illinois Rivers Project, sponsored by Souther Illinois University at Edwardsville. The Project includes 300 schools from 35 states and Canada. Students submit their data to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois EPA.

MJSHS has also received grants to futher its efforts. The Human Ecology class is now hooked up to the Internet thanks to a grant from National Public Radio (NPR). Students participate in NPR's Science Friday Kids Connection, which allows students to ask scientists environmental questions. Students can also follow legislation by connecting with the Capitol Building directly; this connection seems to be a better resource than a library. In addition, MJSHS has a home page where its environmental efforts are listed for those who are interested.

The Ecology Club also received a Project WILD Action Grant, given by Illinois Department of Conservation and the Environmental Education Assocation of Illinois, that allowed students to plant a natural prairie garden on school grounds for all to enjoy. The students used natural prairie plants to emphasize the importance of maintaining and encouraging wild growth. Prairie plants require less care and provide food for birds and butterflies.

From cyberspace to Illinois' riverbanks, Macomb Junior Senior High School is the epitome of environmental stewardship. The students take our environment seriously and are diligently working to save it for the future.