(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – April 22, 2026) — Campuses across El Paso ISD marked Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 with hands-on learning experiences designed to encourage environmental awareness, student stewardship, and campus pride.
Students participated in a variety of activities including campus cleanups, classroom lessons focused on sustainability, and planting projects that encouraged them to engage directly with environmental care. From picking up litter to learning about conservation and growth, students across the district explored practical ways to support a cleaner, healthier planet.
This year’s Earth Day activities come just one day after the El Paso ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution on sustainability and energy efficiency during its Tuesday, April 21 meeting, reinforcing the district’s long-term commitment to providing safe, healthy, and modern learning environments.
The resolution outlines a districtwide effort to improve energy efficiency, modernize aging infrastructure, and expand the use of sustainable technologies where feasible. It also sets a long-term vision of transitioning toward renewable energy sources, with a goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity by 2050, where feasible.
Learning sustainability in action at Western Hills
At Western Hills Environmental Science Academy, Earth Day learning is part of a broader year-round focus on environmental education and innovation.
Students engage in hands-on STEM activities that blend science, engineering, and sustainability, including campus gardening projects, conservation lessons, and technology-based problem-solving designed to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges.
Principal Don Belknap said the campus’s mission is to help students understand their role as future problem-solvers and environmental stewards.
“At Western Hills, we want students to see that sustainability isn’t something far away. It’s something they can take part in every day,” Belknap said. “Whether they are planting, building, or exploring science through hands-on projects, they are learning that their actions matter and that they can make a real difference in their community and beyond.”
Building toward a sustainable future
Additionally, the resolution emphasizes expanding student opportunities through career and technical education pathways, strengthening partnerships, and exploring funding opportunities that support energy efficiency and environmental initiatives across the district.
As Earth Day activities continue across campuses, District leaders say the combination of student engagement and long-term planning reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and student success.
To read the full Resolution on Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, click here.