Columbia, SC—Brooke Scott, a 4^th grade teacher at Sandlapper Elementary School, has been named Richland County’s Conservation Teacher of the Year for 2014 by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).  As her school’s Recycling Facilitator, Scott has spearheaded the expansion of Sandlapper’s recycling program to accept over 20 items, including shoes, small electronics, and glue sticks.  Her students share their recycling knowledge with the community through outreach efforts including a Recycled Art Gala, Earth Day Recycling Extravaganza, public service announcements, and hallway displays.  This year alone, Scott and her students have raised more than $5,000 for school conservation projects through grants and recycling challenges.  Scott and Sandlapper Elementary participate in conservation initiatives such as Green Steps Schools, Great American Cleanup, Cans for Conservation, TerraCycle, Shoes4Water, and Action for a Greener Tomorrow. 

“My main goal is to help students care,” says Scott, explaining what motivates her to focus on conservation in the classroom.  “I want them to care about others and care about their world by being change agents, and helping others become change agents.” 

Regan Moore, a 7^th grade science teacher at Irmo Middle School, and Karyn Taylor, a 3^rd grade teacher at Pontiac Elementary School, were awarded Honorable Mentions in this year’s contest.  Moore, who was nominated by student Katie Weber, promotes conservation through recycling and is working to implement a school-wide recycling program at Irmo Middle School.  Taylor, a leader for conservation at Pontiac Elementary School, is a member of the school’s Green Steps Team and coordinates school composting projects and education.  She and her students also maintain a school garden and wildlife habitat.  Scott, Moore, and Taylor will be recognized at the Richland SWCD’s Annual Banquet on May 13. 

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise planning and use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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