Sustain DCSD
Special Edition - DCSD Office of Sustainability Changes
DCSD Operations & Maintenance Welcomes Two New Employees to the Office of Sustainability
Beth Church - DCSD Sustainability Coordinator
We are so excited to announce Beth Church as our new full-time Sustainability Coordinator. Beth comes to us from Sedalia Elementary where she successfully implemented many sustainability initiatives including a school garden, composting, a chicken coop, energy reduction initiatives and a school-wide recycling program. Beth led Sedalia Elementary to become a US Green Ribbon School in 2017 and had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to receive this prestigious award on behalf of her school.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. If you are looking for Beth on the weekend, you will have to go outside! She enjoys hiking, camping, mountain biking, boating and doing anything outdoors. Just what you would expect from a true Colorado native! Beth loves animals and hosts her own personal zoo at home with two dogs, three cats, a frog and fish. We quizzed Beth on her views of Environmental Sutainability today, and here are her answers:
Q: In your opinion, what is the most pressing environmental issue we face?
A: Waste - food waste, recycling, e-waste and overall throwing away our valuable resources.
Q: What is your favorite animal species?
A: Humans! We as humans have the capability to adapt to many different environments and are intelligent enough to see what needs to change to sustain life.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new position?
A: To see sustainability in the district expand as we integrate sustainability initiatives into science and other content areas. I am also excited to see the impact that our efforts make for future generations.
Beth can be reached at beth.church@dcsdk12.org
Heather Berry - DCSD Sustainability Learning Specialist
Heather Berry will be working part-time for the Office of Sustainability and part-time at Highlands Ranch High School where she teaches AP Environmental Science and leads the HRHS Eco-Warriors Green Team. Heather's specialty is innovation through project based learning which has led to installations of a green wall, tower garden, outdoor classroom, solar charging station and more. In 2016 Heather received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education from the EPA & US White House Council and was the DCSD 2017 Secondary Apple Award winner.
Outside of school Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves to travel and has visited 4 continents in the last two years! Also a Colorado native, Heather enjoys spending time outside hiking, skiing, biking and finding any adventure she can. Heather's personal zoo includes a dog, two guinea pigs, three frogs and a tortoise. We quizzed Heather on her views of environmental sustainability today and here are her answers:
Q: In your opinion, what is the most pressing environmental issue we face today?
A: Plastic pollution. We are getting to the point where plastics can be found everywhere we look - even in our drinking water. This affects human health and severely affects many species on Earth.
Q: What is your favorite species?
A: The Beluga Whale - besides being cute, they communicate by making over 500 different noises with their blowhole!
Q: What are you most excited about with your new position?
A: Working with the many amazing educators we have and seeing how our department can help support and expand sustainability initiatives district wide.
You can reach Heather at heather.berry@dcsdk12.org
Sustainability at Douglas County School District
Email: sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Website: www.dcsdk12.org/sustainability
Location: 2806 U.S. Hwy 85, Castle Rock, CO, United States
Phone: 720-663-1206
Facebook: facebook.com/sustainDCSDK12
Twitter: @sustainDCSD