What began as a small student Green Team has grown into a thriving model of youth-led environmental stewardship at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church & School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, demonstrating how faith in action can take root in classrooms, gardens, and community life.

When the team first participated in training with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) in October 2022, it was a small group of just four participants. Today, that vision has grown into a dynamic Green Team of approximately 60 students, guided by teachers Julie Stinger and Elida Gomez, whose leadership has helped cultivate a culture of stewardship, service, and care for creation throughout the school community.

From the beginning, students have been engaged in hands-on environmental action that connects learning with lived experience. Early efforts included tree plantings that helped restore canopy and improve local environmental health. More recently, students supported the installation of 100 native trees and shrubs and a pollinator garden at the front entrance of the school, transforming the space into a living example of biodiversity and care for creation.

Their work extends beyond beautification. Through raised garden beds along the school perimeter, students grow vegetables that directly support the school’s food pantry, connecting environmental stewardship with food justice and community care. Recycling campaigns have also been a cornerstone of their efforts, beginning with reducing single-use plastic water bottles and encouraging the school community to adopt reusable alternatives.

These initiatives have not gone unnoticed. In April 2023, St. Martin of Tours received the Gaithersburg Environmental Award in recognition of their commitment to sustainability and community impact. The school’s leadership has also continued to deepen its commitment to environmental stewardship through participation in IPC’s One Water Partnership and signing the Partner Congregation Pledge, affirming a shared dedication to caring for water, land, and community.

Looking ahead, the Green Team continues to explore conservation landscaping and stormwater management strategies through IPC’s Community-Based Capacity Building Program, further strengthening the connection between environmental health and community resilience.

This year carries additional significance as St. Martin of Tours School celebrates its 100th anniversary. What might have once been seen only as a reflection on history has also become a forward-looking moment of renewal. A homecoming that brings together alumni, families, students, and parish leaders in celebrating both legacy and future impact. Under the guidance of Father David Wells, environmental stewardship has become an increasingly visible expression of faith within the wider parish community.

At the heart of this story is a powerful truth: when young people are given the tools, trust, and opportunity to lead, they do not simply participate in environmental stewardship—they transform it. At St. Martin of Tours, students are not only learning about creation care; they are actively shaping it, ensuring that faith, service, and stewardship remain deeply rooted for generations to come.