The group is something everybody can be aware of, SEA’s president Chrissa Hartle said.

The organization was involved in the statewide cleanup called Trash Bash in September.

“We cleaned the east side of Highway 26 from Davis Boulevard to Harwood Road,” Hartle said.

Every campus has cardboard recycling bins, and SEA’s goal is to get 10 more stations for every campus. The district is already using environmentally safe pesticides and fertilizers on all campuses, and SEA would like to see more projects like this take place.

“Environmental awareness isn’t just about preserving the planet for the future generations, but it’s also about saving lives today,” said Cayce Ervin, SEA member and NE student. “As a former power plant inspector, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of excess power usage.”

SEA held a recycling event Oct. 22-28 that helped raise funds for an animal shelter. Hartle said that the paper recycled will be shredded and used for bedding, and the money from the cans will be given to the shelter.

However, SEA has little funding and has to request money from student activities for events, which may cover only half its budget.

The SEA organization was inactive for about five years, said Amity Womelsdorff, student development coordinator.

Selling T-shirts is the group’s main source of funding.

“It’s hard to find funds,” Hartle said. “[We’re] always accepting donations.”

NE student activities will give SEA money to fund its Nov. 30 art show.

Artists must create their pieces from recycled material.

Any NE student and faculty can participate in the art show, Hartle said.

Participants’ artwork will be displayed throughout the school for a week.

Hartle said she wants to get everybody excited to do something important.

“This semester is real active because of president Chrissa,” NE student Janjura Williams said. “She’s reaching out to the masses.”

With the help of fliers, the group’s Web page on CampusCruiser and promotion from the geology department, SEA has 132 members from TCC and is accepting more students.

Hartle is trying to arrange field trips and events for SEA with other school departments and companies so that members receive hands-on training and awareness.

Being a mother makes her want a healthier environment for her children, Hartle said.

“I have a passion for the environment,” she said.

“Everybody can do something.”