Local Service with a Global Impact

Two Global Certificate students are finishing their requirements by working on a local service project that has a global impact. Two of our seniors have kicked a lot of ideas around regarding their global service project. They were very interested in trying to travel and volunteer in another country but the past year of Covid regulations has made that very difficult. So they decided to tackle a specific issue that they are passionate about, has a global impact and can be done here at home.

Taylor and Delaney decided to clean up some of our waterways. With a passion for the environment and global issues, Taylor and Delaney turned to the Sustainable Development Goals initiated by the United Nations in 2015, and checked to see if any issues could be improved right here at home in our Mukwonago Community. They settled on Sustainable Development Goal #14 "Life Below Water." It is easy to see our local lakes and rivers as only a local water resource. However a little understanding of river systems and watersheds help you link our water sources to the larger, global impact of the global environment and how we connect to other regions and the ocean. It is only a matter of time before any pollution and litter that is left behind in our waterways, make their way into the Gulf of Mexico and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Taylor and Delaney published an informational slide show that is presented for all 1,600+ students at Mukwonago High School informing them about the pollution in our waterways, the impact it has on the oceanic ecosystem, how our river systems connect us with the oceans and finally how they can make a difference.

In addition to helping inform our students about how they can positively impact our local waterways and the oceans, they also went out and spent time cleaning around the Fox River. They had a great time and saved multiple bags of trash from polluting our waterways nearby and saving many of those pollutants from making it into other communities. If you are aware of other waterways that need some help, the girls are looking for suggestions to get out and find some more trash. Help our local community and country work at improving the "life under water" sustainable development goal. Remember, our actions here at home can have an impact on the global scale.

Total bags with garbage picked up by Taylor & Delaney and removed from the Fox River.