Las Vegas woman inspires students to care for the planet

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman is inspiring the next generation to care for the planet one classroom at a time.

Ciara Byrne’s message is simple: Small actions can create big change.

Byrne is the co-founder of Green Our Planet, a program founded more than a decade ago that helps connect students to the bigger picture, reminding them that protecting our planet starts close to home.

Ciara Byrne is the co-founder of Green Our Planet, a program founded more than a decade ago that helps connect students to the bigger picture, reminding them that protecting our planet starts close to home. (KLAS)

At Laura Dearing Elementary, science lessons don’t just happen in the classroom. They grow here. In garden beds where students learn how food grows, how ecosystems work, and how small ideas can turn into something much bigger

“Green Our Planet supports teachers to do great things, but it’s the teachers who really make the program amazing,” Byrne said.

What started with a handful of school gardens in Southern Nevada has grown into the largest school garden and hydroponics STEM education program in the country.

“A lot of kids don’t know where their food comes from, and unfortunately, a lot of students don’t have access to the outdoors or to gardens,” Byrne said. “If they don’t understand where their food comes from, we can’t expect them to eat it. But if students grow fresh foods, they will eat it.”

The lessons go far beyond planting and growing. Students learn science, nutrition, and entrepreneurship, even running farmers’ markets where they sell the produce they grow.

Science teachers like Lisa Mullinix are key to the program’s success. As students prepare for their next market, they’re also learning STEM skills, financial literacy, and business basics that go far beyond the garden.

“So it’s a way into science. It’s a way into nutrition, learning to be healthy. And then most recently, we finished a K-12 financial literacy program,” Byrne said.

The idea has taken root far beyond Las Vegas. Today, Green Our Planet programs reach schools across the country.

“Now we’re in over 250 schools in Clark County, over 400 schools in Nevada, and over 1,300 schools in 44 states, Byrne added.

For Byrne, the goal is simple. Help children reconnect with the natural world and discover what thrives.

“I think in today’s world, where things can feel dark, the gardens and the connection to the planet is the light, Byrne told 8 News Now.

Encouraging that connection to something bigger than yourself is just one reason Byrne was nominated as a Remarkable Woman in the community. She says being remarkable isn’t about being perfect, it’s about not being afraid to try.

“I think to be remarkable is to take chances to think outside the box and to not be afraid, well, actually, you usually are afraid, but to go and do it anyway,” Byrne said. “To follow your dream even when you’re scared, so it’s really about having courage.”

Byrne is helping to grow a generation that understands the planet and its power to be stewards of it.

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