Few students may remember a time last year when De Soto High School had a Botany Club. This year, DHS has changed that into an Environmental Club.

Environmental Club is a student led club that focuses on making DHS eco-friendly.

Science teacher Kylee Sharp, the teacher sponsor, has helped students set expectations for work to be done throughout the year. This work might include recycling, composting and landscaping. Another project possibility could include bees. Keeping bees could help pollinate flowers around DHS along with producing honey. However, this might be a liability to students who are allergic to bee stings.

“I’m hoping to reduce our trash waste by recycling and hoping to reduce our food waste by doing more composting or getting composting started. We’re hoping to get some butterfly gardens and native plantings around the school and also just some fun things like a camping trip or kayaking trip,” Sharp said.

While students have had recycling in the past, many water bottles, paper and aluminum cans were thrown away. Throwing this waste away can be harmful for the environment which is what the environmental club at DHS is trying to help combat.

Juniors Lauren Mallicoat, Morgan Laney and Lauren Stanton act as the leaders for environmental club. These three students participated in botany club last year and wanted to expand and make minor changes that could really help the school.

“I hope it starts a movement that makes us want to be more recyclable friendly and environmental friendly and just using the space that we have to our advantage,” Mallicoat said.

There are many things to look forward to in DHS’ environmental club this year. Talks of recycling, prairie gardens, bees and composting excite the students participating and many are ready to begin improving the school. Stop by environmental club after school on Tuesdays from 3 to 3:30 p.m. to see what they’re doing that day and join in on making DHS a more eco-friendly school.