2026 UNLESS Project

This year, for the 2025-2026 UNLESS Project, we have many plans for conservation within our town and community. Our focus animal for the contest this year is the Rodrigues Fruit Bat, which is native to Rodrigues Island, west of Madagascar. Rodrigues Fruit Bats are endangered due to habitat loss and human encroachment.  Although this species is not close to our community, there are many different species of bats, birds and other pollinators that are facing similar challenges closer to home such as Little Brown Bats, Red Knots and Monarch butterflies.

We are continuing to use our rain barrels and our greenhouse, collecting clothes donations, distributing native plant seeds, collecting plastic bottles (will upcycle into something new this year) and much more!

By collecting plastic bottles and upcycling them into mini greenhouses, hanging gardens, bird feeders, and organizers, we will save 74% more energy than recycling does and will produce 182% less carbon dioxide than recycling.  It will also reduce waste that is going into our landfills. We will be creating a seed distribution to help restore habitats in our area as well as asking local businesses to help with pollinator corridors that will promote native species plantings.  We will be implementing our tree planting policy that will plant 100 trees over the next five years in our town. We will increase communication about endangered species in town and how we can help them.  Some new initiatives include a student podcast and a light reduction campaign to help reduce light pollution that can negatively impact local bats. 

FUNDRAISING