Cultivating Change: Izzy Wood ’25 Makes Sustainability Hands-On
Since she was young, Izzy Wood ’25 has had a passion for sustainability. Now a senior at Concord Academy, she’s shedding light on how individual actions can lead to collective change.
Izzy recalls the transformative experience of joining a Roots and Shoots club at only 8 years old. The sustainability program, which engaged youth through hands-on activities including letter-writing, left a lasting impression. Growing up in Somerville, Mass., a town notable for its early plastic bag ban, Izzy was inspired to live green.
Today, as a student environmental representative for CA, Izzy is part of a committee that spearheads student programming aimed at integrating sustainability into campus life. Collaboration is central to Izzy’s role on the committee, where she works with adult leaders including Rob Munro, assistant head for academic program and equity, and Melissa Browne, admissions counselor.
“It’s been really cool to see how much school leadership respects student opinions around sustainability, because the students have the power to control the culture of the school,” Izzy says. “That’s very unique to CA, and I love that they do that here.”
The committee’s partnership has led to initiatives such as Meatless Mondays in the dining hall and a sustainability newsletter. In addition, Izzy is currently developing a speaker series focusing on environmental racism in partnership with the Leaders of Color Coalition.
CA offers a variety of sustainability-focused clubs and classes, including the Green Lobbying Club and an environmental history class co-taught by an environmental representative. Izzy emphasizes the importance of making sustainability relevant across various subjects: “We’re trying to build it into the curriculum, so students think about it in all their classes.”
Another recent program highlight was a pickling workshop, which Izzy led. The club Organic Action for Communities (OAC), led by student environmental representative Avi Cariens ’25, produced the vegetables for the event through organic gardening on campus. This fun workshop taught students about food preservation and agriculture.
Looking ahead, Izzy is optimistic about the future of sustainability initiatives on campus. She envisions a community increasingly engaged in sustainable practices, particularly as new programs take root. “I see more people getting involved, especially as we integrate sustainability into the curriculum and create more opportunities for participation,” she says.
For those eager to join the green movement, Izzy encourages students to explore clubs and classes focused on sustainability. “Our goal is to make sustainability accessible to everyone,” she says. By modeling environmental stewardship, Izzy is reminding us that every small action contributes to a community’s impact.
