Green Team Ramps Up for Another Great Year

Green team on  hike last year / Photo credit: Eve Rebora (‘25)

The Green Team has been a core club to School Without Walls since 2016 when it emerged in response to President Donald Trump's decision to roll back environmental protections. The club was created by School Without Walls students to advocate to the government to pass policies aimed at combating climate change. 

During the Trump administration, Trump dismantled 28 Air pollutants and emission rules, which led to coal plants being open longer, subsequently sending more carbon emissions into the atmosphere. He also rolled back many other rules and policies of environmental protection.

Since its inception, the goal of the Green Team has expanded and now includes raising environmental awareness among students. According to Green Team leader, Eve Rebora (‘25), the club is focused on “making sustainable daily habits and teaching people how they can do their own thing, but also just enjoying time in nature. Our goal is to create realistic habits and inspire people to make little changes in their life that can also make an impact, and then also to encourage people to come together and enjoy nature.” 

Last year, the Green Team focused on enjoying nature by leading multiple group hikes. “I think the hike we did last year was really fun,” said leader Mae Tuggle (‘26). Additionally, club leaders tried to encourage small-scale sustainable behavior by leading crafts like making bags out of old t-shirts, and putting plantings in egg cartons. 

Green Team leaders have even loftier goals for their projects this year. The Team hopes to o plant trees, work in the garden on the terrace, and lead community service projects including trash pickups and general cleanups in under-resourced communities. 

More than the inaugural events, many members and leaders are focused on the club’s annual and most celebrated event: the clothing swap. Green Team leader Neve O'Connell (‘26) explained that “You bring clothes that you don't want anymore, but instead of donating, you can bring them to the school and other people bring their clothes, and you can swap. There is pretty cute stuff there.” Green Team encourages students to participate not only to help the environment, but as a practical easy way of finding new clothes and getting rid of old, tired ones.

The Green Team is hosted on the terrace (weather permitting) or in Mr. Kolopowitz’s room on rainy days at 8:30 on Thursdays.