Empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders

At the intersection of environmental education, youth leadership, and workforce development, EcoRise is helping young people become the environmental leaders their communities need. Through the support of the IREM^® Foundation’s Elaina’s Sustainability Fund, EcoRise has empowered thousands of students to turn innovative ideas into tangible environmental improvements while building the skills needed for future careers in sustainability.

EcoRise mobilizes a new generation of leaders to design healthy, thriving communities for all. Through sustainability-focused curricula, student innovation grants, youth leadership opportunities, and green workforce programs, EcoRise equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to address real-world environmental challenges.

Turning student ideas into lasting impact

The partnership between EcoRise and the IREM Foundation began through Elaina’s Sustainability Fund, which was created in 2019 and honors the legacy of Elaina Tattersdale and her belief in the power of individuals to improve the environmental impact of buildings. By investing in student-led sustainability initiatives, the fund helps transform schools into living laboratories for environmental innovation.

With the support from Elaina’s Sustainability Fund, EcoRise has enabled students in underserved communities to conduct environmental audits, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement projects that directly benefit their schools and neighborhoods. These projects range from recycling initiatives and composting programs to developing outdoor learning spaces, school gardens, habitat restoration, and waste reduction campaigns.

During 2021–2022 alone, IREM funding supported nine student innovation projects across five school communities through EcoRise’s Student Innovation Fund. These projects were directly led by 218 students, engaged more than 75 volunteers, and positively impacted more than 9,500 students and community members. Positive environmental outcomes included the conversion of public spaces into outdoor learning environments, hundreds of pounds of waste diverted from landfills, advancing water conservation efforts, and promoting ongoing sustainability education initiatives.

Growing impact year after year

The partnership continued to expand in 2024 and 2025, producing even better results. With a $5,000 funding contribution from the IREM Foundation, EcoRise supported six student innovation projects in five school communities. These projects were directly led by 1,310 students and reached more than 2,800 additional students and community members.

Notable accomplishments included:

• Diverting more than 553,000 pounds of waste from landfills through student-designed recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
• Converting more than 3,100 square feet of school greenspaces into environmentally beneficial learning and gathering areas.
• Creating recycling infrastructure and long-term waste management systems that will continue benefiting schools for years to come.

One standout project at Twin Lakes Elementary School in Florida diverted an estimated 27,000 pounds of waste from local landfills by creating a new cafeteria recycling station. Another project at Desert Sunrise High School in Arizona diverted more than 526,000 pounds of waste when it transformed campus spaces into more sustainable environments.

Building future sustainability professionals

Beyond environmental improvements, EcoRise is helping develop the next generation of sustainability professionals. In 2025, Elaina’s Sustainability Fund awarded $10,000 to support the Green Careers Academy, where students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to careers in green building, climate resilience, environmental management, and sustainable property development.

The Green Careers Academy provides underrepresented high school students with paid internships, workforce readiness training, leadership development, mentorship from industry professionals, and immersive field experiences.

This connection between sustainability education and workforce development aligns closely with IREM Foundation priorities. By exposing students to real-world sustainability careers and connecting them with professionals, EcoRise creates pathways into industries that will shape a more sustainable future.

Eyes on the future

EcoRise and the IREM Foundation are demonstrating that investing in young people creates a dual impact: improving the sustainability of communities today while cultivating the leaders, innovators, and professionals who will build a more resilient tomorrow. Through Elaina’s Sustainability Fund, students are not only learning about sustainability but actively shaping it.

As Jonathan Stott, co-executive director of EcoRise, reflects, “IREM’s partnership helps us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, sustainability leaders, and problem-solvers while creating healthier, more resilient communities.”