Cedar Creek students describe sustainability projects that earned EcoSchools gold recognition

Erin Sharp, a teacher and Green Team leader at Cedar Creek High School, and student interns Matt Gable, Cassidy Judson and Zach Manel described a year of student‑led sustainability work at the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District board meeting.

Sharp said the internship team is documenting “all the green things Cedar Creek does” and noted the school recently was recognized at the gold level under EcoSchools USNJ, a program connected to the National Wildlife Federation and sponsored in New Jersey by the Audubon Society. “This evening, I'm here with Matt Gable, Cassidy Judson, and Zach Manel. These 3 students are all representatives of the sustainability internship class offered at Cedar Creek High School,” Sharp said.

The student presenters outlined multiple projects that contributed to the recognition: a food‑recovery program that stores unopened, unused food for athletes and after‑school activities; a waste audit that identified and separated categories of lunchroom waste and totaled 316 pounds; and native‑tree plantings that included two American holly, a sweet gum, a Virginia pine and a swamp white oak. Students also collaborate with Stockton University and, for some experiments, Christopher Newport University on trials of Atlantic white cedar salinity tolerance.

Cassidy Judson framed the program as both an educational and leadership opportunity: “By playing a part as an EcoSchools... this brings a lot of benefits to our school and who we are as students,” she said, describing civic and leadership skills gained through the internship.

Presenters said the program includes nearly 80 hours of outdoor classroom learning in a courtyard with a fish pond, composting, and a maintained garden. Students described continuing projects such as bat boxes, additional gardening and efforts to earn the EcoSchools “green flag,” the program’s highest award.

Board members who commented praised the students’ work and highlighted the partnerships with Stockton and regional universities, noting that the student data contributes to larger research efforts on species like Atlantic white cedar. The district’s leaders and presenters said they plan to continue documenting projects and expanding student access to hands‑on environmental work.

The presentation concluded with board appreciation for the student leaders and Sharp’s instruction; no formal board action was required for the presentation.