On May 14, local nonprofit Lyra and La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) hosted a special recognition event to celebrate the recipients and present their awards. Seven students were honored this year: Elin Mischler, Elena Forrest, Fiona Chandler, Myla Lawler, Cameron Garland, Alyxx Ford, and Leo Stephenson. Their project descriptions can be viewed in this presentation.
Now in its second year, the Seal of Climate Literacy program encourages students to deepen their understanding of climate change and take local action. Students earn the seal by completing in-depth, climate-related projects, presenting to a panel of educators and community members, and demonstrating clear climate literacy skills – including scientific understanding, systems thinking, and civic engagement. The seal appears on their high school transcript and can help signal their commitment to sustainability when applying to colleges or jobs. The program at DHS is one of the first of its kind in Colorado.
This year’s projects included sustainable landscaping guidelines, a “Lights Off” energy conservation campaign, a community trash pickup, and even research into how Colorado wildlife may adapt to a warming climate.
Alyxx Ford and her team helped develop district-wide guidelines to promote sustainability in school landscaping. She reflected on the lasting impact of the experience: “I think we’ve learned a lot about policy and how to push things through, which has been super important for our future,” she said.
Cameron Garland, who also led the sustainable landscaping project, emphasized the power of collaboration: “Working alongside people in this project has really inspired me. I think clubs and being part of activities like this is a really crucial part of the high school experience.”
Student Myla Lawler talked about how the group’s project rippled out into the community: “Now when I walk around, I see different things about landscaping and what I think could change. We even talked to 5th graders about what sustainability means and why it’s important.”
