Town of Clarksville Planner Kaylie Malloy recently traded Town Hall for the classroom, spending time with third grade students at Clarksville Elementary School to talk about sustainability and the role community planning plays in creating a more sustainable future.

During her visit, Malloy introduced students to several ways towns and cities can use thoughtful planning to make better use of land and resources. Students learned about practices such as strategically planting trees to provide shade, creating sidewalks and trails that make walking and biking easier, preserving green spaces, and considering sustainability when planning future development.

The lesson also gave students an opportunity to share their own ideas. They listed and drew examples of sustainability practices they see throughout Clarksville and offered suggestions for ways the community could become even more sustainable.

The activity gave students a hands-on look at the work planners do while also allowing some of Clarksville’s youngest residents to provide their own perspective on the community around them.

The Town of Clarksville appreciates the opportunity to partner with Clarksville Elementary School and introduce students to the ways planning decisions can help shape the future of their community.