In another step toward reducing our carbon footprint, we recently installed new solar panels on the roof of the Fernandez STEM Center, complementing our “305” installation on the Henry H. Anderson ’38 Gymnasium, and enabling us to harness more clean, renewable energy. We also introduced four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on our upper school campus, currently serving professional community members who choose sustainable transportation options. Soon, students and families will be able to use the EV charging stations, which were supported by a gift from the Class of 2022. Ransom Everglades also actively participates in Coconut Grove’s Bike Walk and Roll to School Day events every spring and fall semester. These events, which are popular with students and parents, encourage eco-friendly commuting while fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility.

Reducing waste isn’t just about recycling – it’s about rethinking how we value resources. This school year, our community, led by the Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association, advanced impactful initiatives to give materials a second life and keep them from going to landfills.

•    Our uniform stores not only reduced textile waste but strengthened the culture of shared responsibility within our school. In 2024 alone, over 900 RE clothing items were distributed during our free REpurpose Uniform Pop-up Shop events, held in June and August at the middle school, where RE families were able to select free uniforms and clothing items. Uniforms that are not in good enough condition to be swapped were given to the middle school art department and repurposed into student art projects in the classes of art instructor Ellen Grant. For example, students in her eighth-grade Jewelry & Design class used the shirts to create fabric yarn, which they wove into fabric and then fashioned into purses.

•    Through used-book redistribution, we kept learning materials in circulation, reducing demand for new resources and emphasizing the importance of sustainability in education. Approximately 1,000 books were exchanged on the two campuses through our book-swap program. At the middle school, families deposited books into designated bins and selected new ones during the uniform pop-up shop events in June and August. For the first time in 2024, the upper school introduced a self-service book swap. Shelves behind the Fernandez STEM Center were stocked with donated books, allowing students to drop off their used, unwanted books and to pick up any they needed for their current courses. A course book list binder was provided next to the shelves, and students could take books on a first-come, first-served basis. Texts and reading books that are no longer being used by classes at RE are donated to local organizations such as Page by Page, founded and run by Lauren Page ’24 and her family, and the University of Central Florida’s Florida Prison Education Project.

•    Lost and found has evolved significantly, returning more items to their owners while ensuring unclaimed belongings support charitable causes rather than becoming landfill waste. RE uniforms in good condition will be REpurposed at the summer Uniform Pop-up Shops. Of the more than 150 lost water bottles, approximately 60 percent were returned to their owners, while the remaining bottles, along with non-RE clothing, were donated to Goodwill. RE textbooks and class books have been set aside for our end-of-year book recycling program.

Our e-waste collection initiatives helped students and families responsibly dispose of electronic devices, keeping harmful materials out of landfills and ensuring they are recycled properly. Recycling these materials also reduces the need for the mining of these materials, an aggressive practice that is detrimental to the environment. Everyone in the RE community is encouraged to take part in our e-waste recycling events. Stay tuned for updates from RE or follow the RE sustainability Instagram account, @sustainableransomeverglades, for the latest news and event details.

Our composting program continues to minimize food waste on campus, diverting organic materials to support healthier soils and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since its launch in September 2022, Ransom Everglades has successfully diverted an impressive 75,000 pounds of food waste from landfills.

Through TerraCycle, our classrooms recycle disposable laboratory gloves from our science labs. Both campuses also have TerraCycle containers for candy and snack wrapper recycling, with a special emphasis during Halloween. Additionally, we offer ongoing battery recycling across both campuses, and our art departments upcycle everyday items to minimize waste going to landfills.

The middle school is home to a vibrant pollinator garden, led and maintained by RE faculty member Heidi Steen and the student-run Eco Raiders and Gardening Club. Both the middle and upper school campuses have been designated as registered Monarch Waystations by Monarch Watch, featuring the host and nectar plants that support the endangered monarch butterfly population. The middle school also boasts hydroponic gardens, which are integrated into the Eco Raiders and Gardening club activities and the science curriculum. Herbs such as basil and mint from these gardens are harvested for use in the dining hall, fostering sustainable and locally-sourced food practices.  

Mangrove cleanups remain a tradition at the upper school campus, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. In 2024, we hosted two large community-wide cleanups, one in April and another in November, alongside smaller cleanups throughout the year. During the November event, volunteers removed an impressive 254 pounds of debris from the campus mangroves in just two hours.

In 2024, faculty member Jesse Velazquez introduced Native Plant Walks, providing students, parents, family members, faculty and alumni with an engaging exploration of the native flora and fauna on both campuses. The first walk took place at the upper school, followed by a second at the middle school, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the rich biodiversity of each site. To enhance the experience, Mr. Velazquez partnered with RE archivist Katrina Patchett to trace the evolution of the campus landscapes over time. He believes these walks not only bring RE founder Paul Ransom’s vision to life but also foster a deeper connection to the vibrant South Florida ecosystems that surround and inspire us.

Each year, sixth-grade students participate in the Growing Beyond Earth project, developed by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in partnership with NASA, which engages students and educators in research to support space agriculture. Participants conduct experiments simulating conditions on the International Space Station to test plant varieties and growth methods, helping NASA identify crops suitable for long-duration space missions. By fostering STEM education and advancing sustainable food systems, the program empowers communities to contribute to real-world space science and innovation.

Education and awareness are central to Sustainable Ransom Everglades’ mission. This year, we were honored to host leading voices in sustainability, most recently local architect Thorn Grafton and Caroline Lewis, founder and senior advisor of The CLEO (Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities Institute), who inspired our community to think critically about climate solutions and environmental stewardship. The year 2024 began with photographer Luca Martinez inspiring the middle school community, followed by award-winning adventure photographer, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Andy Mann, who captivated students with his remarkable experiences and dedication to conservation. During Earth Week, the upper school welcomed renowned wildlife expert, photographer and conservationist Ron Magill, while the middle school had the opportunity to hear from Vital Impacts founder, photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale, who shared powerful stories of her impactful work in Africa. 

Each year, RE eighth graders team up with fifth-grade Breakthrough Miami scholars for a “Day on the Bay” at the upper school campus. Together, they participate in a mangrove cleanup and embark on RE boats to nearby islands, where they explore local ecosystems through beach seining activities.

RE’s dedication to youth-driven climate action shone through the Miami Youth Climate Summit, an event bringing together thought leaders, students and educators to explore actionable climate solutions and strengthen our commitment to environmental justice and education. Hosted for the second time at the middle school in partnership with Breakthrough Miami, the 2024 summit engaged approximately 300 students, significantly broadening Ransom Everglades’ educational outreach. 

The Ransom Everglades Climate Symposium has developed into a defining experience for our sixth graders and, in fact, for our community. Incorporating original research, awareness and community engagement, RECS brings together students, faculty, families, alumni and members of the extended RE community to discuss solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.  

The eighth annual RE Climate Symposium was a resounding success, showcasing nearly 250 original student research projects, climate-focused art installations, performances and a zero-waste meal. The 2024 event featured contributions from the entire sixth grade and many other middle and upper school students, illustrating their creativity and commitment to climate solutions. Highlights included a keynote address by Howard University Associate Professor Helen Bond, who praised the school’s leadership in climate education, and performances such as “Into the Fire” by the RE dance team that was inspired by recent wildfires, and a coral bleaching-themed poem by a student in Marine Field Research. Sixth graders also presented “project teasers” and introduced the winning environmental sustainability film festival entry, “The Boy and the Otter.” Topics ranged from reforestation to alternative energy, showcasing interdisciplinary work and innovative problem-solving. 

Mark your calendars for April 23, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and join us for a celebration of academic excellence and the school’s commitment to making the world a better place. The climate symposium will come on the heels of Earth Week (April 21-25), an annual celebration at RE that includes a series of guest speakers and activities aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability within the school community.

Each of these initiatives reflects the core values that define Ransom Everglades; most notably, service, community, honor and wellbeing. By empowering students to take active roles in sustainability we foster not only environmental awareness but also the leadership, creativity and resilience that will enable them to make a meaningful difference in the world.

By engaging parents and alumni as well, together, as a school and as a community, we are working to cultivate a culture of stewardship – one that inspires action today and leaves a lasting impact for tomorrow.