Maeve Gallagher, Staff Reporter
Originally published November 13, 2014

During the school year, Earth Service Corps hosts several important events designed to raise awareness about environmental problems.

One of their projects includes building a rain garden in the front of the school, where clean rain water will collect. The garden’s purpose is to reduce pollution and waste.

“We are trying to reduce Ballard’s carbon footprint,” senior Skyla Sorenson said. Sorenson is the president of the club, along with senior Julianna Horiuchi.

Upcoming events include a screening of “Damnation,” a documentary about the reconstruction of a fallen dam. This screening will be held in the auditorium on Dec. 4.

“We have a lot of important events that need participants,” senior Gabby Gersten, Earth Service Corps secretary, said. “In April we have a week called Spare the Air Week which encourages students to bus, bike and walk to school.” Students who participate are rewarded with doughnuts and coffee.

The Earth Service Corps Club also gains volunteer hours by separating garbage, recycling, and compost in the Commons after school every day.

In addition to the the club’s daily activities, they are in the process of hiring someone to perform an energy audit. This is when a professional shows the students how to conserve energy more efficiently by walking club members throughout the school and giving examples of where they need to save energy.

Earth Service Corps brings important environmental issues to the student body’s attention, and because of this, students are more involved with the importance of energy conservation within our community.