Two Highline School District teachers and a staff member at Camp Waskowitz are among King County’s 2006 Earth Heroes at Schools award winners.

The award winners are Fred Ritsema, a teacher at Bow Lake Elementary in SeaTac; Sara Esrick at Evergreen High, whose 24 English Language Learner students are sharing the honor; and Wanda Peters of the district’s outdoor school at North Bend.

Ritsema, an English Language Learner teacher, created the Bow Lake School's arboretum and founded its environmental club.

He obtained approval from the school district, applied for grant funding, and with the Environmental Club identified and labeled with species information over 80 trees.

The club also picks up campus litter and recycles materials from classrooms.

Esrick and her 24 English Language Learner science students established a school recycling program at Evergreen, conducted outreach and promotion, and modeled a commitment to recycling for the 1,100 students

She launched the effort as part of an environmental unit with her students, who then participated in the entire process of planning, implementing and promoting successful paper, can and plastic bottle recycling.

Peters has been the lead and inspiration for the composting program at Camp Waskowitz. Using six worm bins built by high school students and an Earth Tub, she has ensured that all compostable food waste is kept out of the landfill.

The 4,000 students attending the outdoor school each year participate in a Worm Class and reflect on the ways they can bring home the practices they learn at the camp.

Earth Heroes at School Awards honor individual in schools as well as innovative school-based programs that are working to maintain the rich integrity of the region and high quality of life.

"We recognize Earth Heroes at Schools for their invaluable contributions to protecting and preserving King County's natural environment, and their education of young people about the importance of becoming committed earth stewards," said Sims.

"Together we are integrating environmental understanding and protection into the education process ... We are fortunate to have these environmental stewards in our midst."

The Earth Heroes award winners will be honored by King County Executive Ron Sims at a ceremony Thursday, May 4, at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island.