By Mary Bonikowski, Bear Visual Arts Teacher and Green Team Sponsor
For more than a decade, Bear Exploration Center in Montgomery has made environmental stewardship a core part of its culture. As a proud participant in the Alabama PALS Clean Campus Program, Bear isn’t just keeping its school clean—it’s shaping the next generation of Alabamians who care deeply about their community, their state, and their planet.
At the heart of this effort is the school’s environmental club, the Green Team. Founded in 2010 by parent volunteers, the Green Team has grown into a powerhouse of student leadership. Members help run Bear’s recycling programs, participate in monthly litter cleanups, create posters that remind classmates and visitors not to litter, and learn hands-on ways to protect the environment.
Fifth grader Jack Hardinger sums up the urgency of their mission in just five words: “People need to stop littering!” His classmate Kerri Williams shares what motivates her: “I feel proud when I go out and clean up litter around my school.” That sense of pride and responsibility echoes across the entire team—every member agrees that caring for the environment is essential to keeping the community healthy and beautiful.
The impact of the Clean Campus Program reaches far beyond the Green Team. Students and teachers alike have become more aware of how trash affects not only the school but the whole state of Alabama. This awareness fuels action. Teachers model good habits, students bring their knowledge home, and families become part of a wider community committed to creating a cleaner world.
Bear’s environmental efforts reach into every corner of campus, beginning with litter-pickup walks during P.E. and extending to the school’s outdoor classroom and garden. Here, raised beds and a teacher-built compost bin give students hands-on experience planting, weeding, harvesting, and sharing fresh vegetables with the community.
Recycling is a major focus at Bear—paper, ink cartridges, markers, glue sticks, and aluminum pop tabs are collected to keep waste out of landfills. These materials are handled with purpose: ink cartridges are sent to Planet Green Recycling, used writing supplies are taken to Staples, shredded paper is donated to the Montgomery Humane Society, and pop tabs are gathered for the Ronald McDonald House.
Creativity also plays a role in Bear’s sustainability work. Old crayons are melted into colorful new shapes for the annual art show, the PTA’s uniform recycling program supports families by passing along gently used clothing, the STEM Lab turns newspapers and milk jugs into learning tools, and the art room transforms everyday discards into imaginative works of art.
Through its strong partnership with the Alabama PALS Clean Campus Program, Bear Exploration Center continues to nurture students who understand the importance of keeping Alabama litter-free. Bear is so grateful to Alabama PALS for their support, inspiration, and for recognizing students for their efforts. Today these students are cleaning up their school—and tomorrow they’ll be leading the way toward a cleaner, greener Alabama.