The existence of three environmental clubs on campus has created some competition between them, as they each have similar purposes and hold similar activities. While not apparent at first glance, each club fills a special niche that differentiates it from the others. Campus Environmentalist Club hosts beach cleanups, while Green Team sells succulents, and Student Sierra Club works with volunteer group Amigos de Los Rios. However, recent tightening of club regulations has changed their status as separate clubs. Despite being chartered separately this year, Clubs Commissioner senior Megan Ngo mandated that the three clubs would be merged next school year. Each of the clubs has different plans, and they will have to adapt to their new future.

“I hope to continue the community aspect of Campus Environmentalist, providing a place for people with similar interests and a love for the environment to get together and make a difference while also giving back to the community,” said Campus Environmentalist Club President senior Tiffany Zhuo. “I’m a little sad that the name ‘Campus Environmentalist Club’ will be gone, but in the four years I spent here I created lots of memories that’ll stay with me forever, and the differences that we made in the community will always stay. I’m looking forward to the merge as we all have a similar goal of a greener future, and merging will only bring together our innovation and leadership skills and create a bright, successful club.” 

“I think the decision ASB made makes sense since there are so many clubs on campus,” said Sierra Club President senior Wendy Wang. “I believe each environmental club is unique, but they all have similar purposes so it makes sense why they would merge.” 

Wendy added that she was curious how the officer team of the merged clubs would work together. When asked about what she wanted to carry over into the new club, Wendy said, “I hope to see the emphasis on environmental activism carried on from Sierra to the new club. I think Sierra Club is an amazing and active organization that I hope the new environmental club will still keep in touch with or still instill with similar values.”

“I definitely want to carry over the educational part of Green Team,” said Green Team President senior Anthony Chiang. “I feel like we place a lot of emphasis on introducing more obscure but still important topics, and we still want to keep that intriguing spark in our club.” 

Anthony also wishes to keep the connections they have forged with the community. He agreed with the other presidents on the decision to merge, as the clubs all had similar purposes, and a united club would be more effective in spreading their message.

The leaders of the three clubs have not had a chance to discuss their plans for the new club. Nothing has been said about the name of the new club, or what its purpose will be. However, they are optimistic for the future of the new environmental club, and hope the merge will be successful.

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