Harker’s Green Committee has not been letting the grass grow under its feet. Here are some of the group’s activities that are coming to fruition. But first, a special thanks to the advancement department, which pioneered using potted Christmas trees in lower school classrooms instead of cut trees. Once big enough, the organization Rent a Living Christmas Tree will plant them in city-designated areas. The 4- to 5-foot tall trees arrived Nov. 30 and will be picked up for replanting Dec. 18.

Earth Day plans across all four campuses are evolving. This year, the big upper school spirit rally and Earth Day fall on the same day, so the campus’ Green Team – led by president Akshay Battu, Karen Tu and Annie Zhou, all grade 12, and Kshithija Mulam, grade 11 – and Harker Spirit Club leaders Arben Gutierrez-Bujari, grade 11, and Layla Walker, grade 12, have joined forces to make the day momentous!

Meanwhile, the water-use reduction program is really driving down usage. Check out this graph!

Janet Rohrer, our facilities and hazmat safety coordinator, has led the development of a pest management program across the four campuses that will reduce the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides.

One of the most important, but little noticed programs, is the No Idling on Campus effort. The student-run Green Team had signs made reminding upper school drivers to turn off engines while waiting for students or at the red light; the signs will move to the lower school campus in December to expand that campaign.

The committee is happy to note that Harker kitchens are now using eggs from Glaum Egg Ranch, a local, family farm with cage-free chickens.

Finally, the dining area at the upper school’s Manzanita Hall was retiled using materials sourced from Azuliber, a company specializing in eco-friendly flooring.