ECO-ACT participants canoeing Eco-Act is an environmental leadership program for juniors and seniors in high school, operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden in partnership with St. Louis area schools and districts that has been around since 1981 with generous gifts and an endowment by the Saigh Foundation. High school junior and senior students enroll for a full year and receive course credit from their schools.

During the Program Participants

Eco-Actor with fourth grade students

  • Teach Elementary classes ecology lessons once a month during the school year.
  • Research and present on local environmental issues.
  • Attend outdoor adventure activities to increase ecology knowledge, communication and teamwork skills, and to gain confidence.

Program Components

  • Participants complete two weeks of summer training led by Missouri Botanical Garden staff.
  • Participants have a class period scheduled into their course load for Eco-Act to prepare for teaching, teach in the fourth grade classroom, and complete group projects.
  • Participants attend a monthly after school workshop at the Garden.
  • Participants attend a weekend outing once a semester.

Get Involved

STUDENTS

Applications for the 2024–2025 school year are closed. Applications for the following school year will be available in January 2025.

Eco-Actors at the GardenStudents must be attending a participating High School to enroll in the program. Current high school partners include: Metro Classical and Academic High School, University City High School, Rosati-Kain Academy, Crossroads College Preparatory School, Villa Duchesne, and Nerinx Hall.

For more information, contact the Eco-Act Program Coordinator at (314) 577-9466 or e-mail eco-act@mobot.org.

TEACHERS/ADMINISTRATORS
Interested in hosting Eco-Act at your school, but are looking for more information? Please contact the Eco-Act Program Coordinator at (314) 577-9466 or e-mail eco-act@mobot.org.