King County Executive Ron Sims recognized FamilyLink’s Lorax Club as one of this year’s “Earth Heroes at School” in an award ceremony in Renton on Thursday, April 24.

Parent Claudia Gross Shader and her daughter Stella accepted the award on behalf of FamilyLink and the 36 students and parents who participated in the Lorax Club during the school year.

The Lorax Club, named after Dr. Seuss’ quintessential book about ecology, was recognized for providing opportunities for FamilyLink and other homeschool students and their families to learn about and become effective stewards of the environment.

The group played an instrumental role in the Vashon community by planting trees, hosting an evening workshop on earth-friendly cleaning products and developing plans to create an outdoor learning space using native plants.

The Lorax Club began in 2006 as a multi-age learning opportunity that focused on hands-on field experience in four Island ecosystems: pond, inter-tidal, stream and forest. In 2007, students interacted with each of these ecosystems in scientific discovery and/or restoration work.

They participated in field observations with naturalists from the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, University of Puget Sound, Master Gardeners, Vashon-Maury Audubon, Vashon Forest Stew-ards and staff from King County, including stream ecologists, watershed managers and noxious week specialists.

Kids documented their experiences, experiments and expressions in a nature journal. On Oct. 26, 2007, Lorax Club members reported on their work to the Vashon Island Ground Water Committee.

The Lorax Club was coordinated by parent volunteer Claudia Gross Shader.

“The Lorax Club is a good example of how parents can partner with FamilyLink to create a learning opportunity for their children,” said FamilyLink staff Julie Hanger in a news release.

“Claudia proposed the idea to us as an enrichment class. She also coordinated with Vashon-Maury Audubon to receive a small grant for stipends for scientists and naturalists to lead field explorations. FamilyLink provided classroom facilities, staff support and supplies,” Hangar added.