Walk to the Hart
Mission statement: The Walk to the Hart was a teacher-student collaborative focused on empowering today's youth as future stewards of the planet by building connections, fostering dialogue, and furthering the role of students as community leaders.
Walk to the Hart Day 1: Sustainable Suffield on the Green
The Suffield Sustainability Council made history this past Thursday, April 21st, by organizing a 350 student field trip to walk to the Suffield’s town green to celebrate and learn more about protecting our Earth. Students were bussed to the middle school, and once the road was closed, around 350 students and 40 teachers walked down mountain road led by National Geographic Explorer Dr. John Francis, and a large banner that read, “We are the Environment.”
Once at the green, students were seated by the gazebo and listened to speeches by Dr. John Francis, Hawaiian voyager Dan Kinzer, Youth Activist Sena Wazer, Conservationist Dennis Liu, as well as a performance by the SHS Choir. After this session, students were allowed to explore the town green, which was filled with various environmental related activities for students to enjoy. There were Food Trucks, games, and booths from across the state. See below for our list of distinguished guests. Overall, students had a fun day at the green together while also learning from and engaging with people making real change for our planet.
CT Science Center
Westfield State
SHS Agriscience Department
SHS Sustainable Ag Class
SHS AP Government and Politics Class
Energize CT’s Mobile Lab Trailer
Capital Clean Cities of CT Inc.
Chasing the Outdoors
Springfield College
Project Wild
Earth and Outing Club
CT Land Conservation Council
UConn
Center for EcoTechnology
CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
SHS Farm to Wisk Class
UnGardening Native Plants
Voices United
Sunrise CT
UMass
HillTop Farm
CT River Conservancy
SHS International Relations Class Art Display
CT Sierra Club
SHS English Department
Yellow Farmhouse Education Center
Mr. Cosma’s Mountain Biking Demo
SHS Fashion Class
SHS PE Department’s Games and Activities
PACE
Jenga with Mr. McCullough
The Wilderness School
Cinco De Mayo
Kona Ice
Walk to the Hart Day 2: Climate Action Plan Training
On Friday, April 22nd, members of the Suffield Sustainability Council joined National Geographic Explorer Dr. John Francis and Hawaiian Voyager Dan Kinzer for a walk to the Northwest Park. Upon arrival at the park, the SSC met with teams of students from Avon High School, Enfield High School, Loomis Chaffee, and Bloomfield High School and spent the day with them at the park. After hearing speeches from John and Dan, students went on nature walks, did various team building activities, and learned about the importance of communication. After lunch, the SSC members then trained the other students on how to create positive change in their schools, and helped them create Climate Action Plans which those students then took with them to implement in their communities. Finally, the SSC then traveled to the capitol building in Hartford where they attended Sunrise CT’s Day of Youth Action event. There, they connected with other groups who were seeking legislative change.
Walk to the Hart Day 3: Suffield Town Clean Up Day
On Saturday, April 23rd, residents of Suffield were encouraged to get outside and pick up some trash in their neighborhoods. Students who participated earned community service hours and all who participated helped make our town a cleaner, more environmentally friendly place!