The RHS Climate Change/Climate Justice class is currently working on their capstone projects for the year. A capstone project is a long term action project that students are working on in order to make real change in our community.
The Plot of the future RHS Community Garden
One of the larger projects that is being worked on is a revamp of Roosevelt’s community garden which has grown very sad in the past few years. Symone (JR), Sunaly (JR), and Damien (SR) have been working for the past few months drawing blueprints, finding funding, researching different plants all in preparation for their project to benefit our RHS community. “I wanted to work on the garden project because I was interested in [gardening] because I do have a garden in my backyard but I don’t know how to garden,” Sunaly says. She goes on to explain that the goal of the project is to “garden here, learn and teach other students who don’t know how to garden”. Another key point that the group touched on is the use of the food grown here at RHS to feed and nourish the community. “We can grow fresh fruit in the back of your garden… and this is what you can do with your little space in your yard,” Symone said.
With Earth Day (4/22) fast approaching, the climate should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. A capstone project is just one way to get involved with local climate issues in our community. Another way is attending the PPS Climate Summit taking place at Portland State University on April 24th. There will be keynote speakers, student panels, discussions and more! There is also a Portland Youth Climate Strike taking place on Friday April 21st. The strike will walk from the Convention Center to Pioneer Courthouse and is protesting the expansion of the Gas Transmission Northwest XPress pipeline. For more ways to help out and get involved, check out the Columbia River Keepers, Extinction Rebellion, the Portland Eco Film Festival, 350 PDX, and Coalitions of Communities of Color. It is immensely important for our Portland community to band together in our fight against climate change and our fight for our planet. Happy Earth Month!
By Ellie Weiner
Photography By: Ellie Weiner
Roosevelt High School
Published April 19 , 2023