Two new clubs, Eco Team and Treehuggers, will possibly merge  in order to promote environmental wellness around the school. 

Junior Elise Ambler, president of Eco Team, said the idea was first put forward by the club’s sponsor, Emily Thompson, but Ambler said she sees other benefits coming with merging the two clubs.

“It would be much more efficient to have one central group rather than two,” Ambler said. “I think it’s important to have at least one environmental conservation club here so people have that option.”

Both Eco Team and Treehuggers were created with the goal of encouraging environmental protection around the school. As Well, both clubs have plans for projects throughout the school year ranging from increasing access to recycling to cleaning up trash around the school. 

Ambler also said changes in the media have made a need for an environmental club at MHS.

“Humans are draining the planet of its natural resources and we are not doing what’s best for the planet,” Ambler said. “I think it’s important to educate so I’m happy we have at least one club here that’s doing that.”

While the plans for merging are still in their beginning phases, Ambler said she has started talking with the two club presidents of Treehuggers, juniors Kate Krogen and Katie Quade, about both of their plans for the year and what that means for them if they do combine.

Language arts teacher Jennifer Shipp, sponsor of Treehuggers, said merging could be worthwhile for both clubs.

“I think merging opens up even more great resources and opportunities for people to make an impact,” Shipp said. “As long as we’re getting our message out and we have the same general goal, I think it’s fantastic.”

That goal, similar to Eco Team, is to not only educate people on environmental protection, but also to get people involved through projects around the school.

Shipp also explained how scheduling would work for the combined club. Because Treehuggers was first created as a Flex Time club and Eco Team as an afterschool club, the new combined club would be available at both times.

“It’s nice because if someone can’t make it during Flex Time due to a different activity, they can go after school,” Shipp said. “Or if they are in a sport and have an after school practice, they can come during Flex Time. I think that’s welcoming and positive to show how much the sponsors and leaders care.”

Activities Director Shane Matzen said the Activities Office usually combines clubs together when both have similar goals.

“If we have groups that are all trying to do great things but in essence their goals are very closely aligned, then we like to bring them together,” Matzen said.

Matzen said that in this case both clubs have the same end goal. 

“But they are going to reach that endgame maybe through different projects,” Matzen said. “In the end, we do more good than we would have in the first place. You may have more people join an individual club if you had them together, rather than being separate.”