IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – In Dickinson County, dedicated high school students are gearing up to take on environmental challenges in their community. The Iron Mountain High School Environmental Club is flourishing as the back-to-school season begins.
With the start of this school year, the Environmental Club at Iron Mountain High School is experiencing remarkable growth, and a surge of enthusiastic new members are joining the club’s ranks. The club sign-up sheet at a recent back-to-school function filled up front and back with new members. This development has students buzzing with anticipation for the positive changes they can bring about.
I had the chance to speak with two juniors, Benjamin Truong and Annaliese Lucas, both of whom are also student-athletes. They expressed their hope that incoming members will come to club meetings armed with fresh ideas on enhancing the school forest.
Truong, speaking passionately about environmental club goals, stated, “Seeing that this year there were many seniors in the club that have seen change, and they’ve admitted to seeing lots of change in the school forest, so I would like to provide more change like that.”
Lucas chimed in, describing their activities, “So we go in there and kind of clean up, make sure it’s cleaner than the way it’s been left since the last clean-up, and then we also in the spring do a tree sale.”
Already, Lucas and Truong are brainstorming areas for the club’s growth this year. Lucas stressed the importance of community involvement, saying, “I definitely think we should be more out there. With our two events, just because of how small we were. Our two events were pretty big, but I would like to see us more involved with the community.” Truong suggested tackling invasive species, remarking, “We could help eliminate more invasive species as we’ve been doing each year.”
Eager to make a lasting impact, these two club members are keen on organizing more trash pick-ups, and assisting in local recycling initiatives. Truong noted, “Probably litter, and stuff. Because if you go downtown, it’s like. It’s supposed to be downtown nice and happy, and everything. But I look down there, and it’s kind of just a little murky if you would call it that.” Lucas expressed concern over recycling practices, stating, “I think we don’t recycle enough. Just like we have can machines at our bigger stores. But then you’re only getting some cans from some people. Where only some people choose to recycle paper, but we’re having tons of plastic, tons of food waste, garbage waste. Everything, I feel like, is just piling up.”
Truong acknowledges that affecting change takes time, and hopes that new members will stick with the group, citing the dedication of seniors who have witnessed the difference they’re making.
“But, later on, as they stay on with the years, by the time they are a senior, they will definitely be dedicated to environmental change,” Truong affirmed.
Donations from cans directly contribute to supporting the club’s efforts, and they can be submitted through the club’s advisor, Biology Teacher Rhonda Carey. As the Iron Mountain High School Environmental Club gains momentum, their commitment to a greener future for their community remains unwavering.
The Dickinson Conservation District’s new fall tree sale is aimed at eliminating invasive species in the county. It directly benefits local management of natural resources, including educating the public, and assisting with educating the local youth on environmental solutions. For information on the current tree sale going on in Dickinson County as the students are heading back to school, visit:
