Class of 2023: BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business student creating public good through children’s book on climate change

Jade Rush wants young readers to know small actions can make a big impact on the environment

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

Jade Rush believes children are the key to saving the planet.

She wants them to understand at a young age that they can make a difference through small actions. So, she followed her own advice and wrote a book — creating public good through education and activism. 

The sustainably made book, “Evelyn the Environmentalist Takes on Climate Change,” introduces young readers to current environmental issues and teaches them how to make a difference. 

“Children are our future,” Rush said. “My goal is to educate children in an entertaining way so they can learn about some of the things happening around them and know that even though they’re young, they can still make a change and impact the planet.”

Aside from being a budding author, Rush is a marketing major at Bowling Green State University with minors in entrepreneurship and environmental science. She will graduate from the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business on April 28.

Rush debuted her book and publishing company in 2022 at The Hatch, a semester-long immersive program in the Schmidthorst College of Business that culminates with students presenting their business ideas to alumni investors in a format similar to the popular television show “Shark Tank.”

“The Hatch was such a great experience,” she said. “I’m so grateful to have been a part of it. It strengthened my confidence and helped me navigate many of the processes involved in continuing this book-writing and publishing venture.”

Ryan Holley, an assistant teaching professor in the Schmidthorst College of Business, said he saw from the start how motivated Rush is to succeed.

“I remember Jade being ambitious, mission-driven and thirsty for personal and professional development when I first met her during her freshman year, and that certainly hasn’t changed,” he said. “She went full beast mode during her time in The Hatch program and has continued hustling and campaigning for her much-deserved success with her book. It’s been a privilege to watch Jade soar.”

Rush received funding during The Hatch to create a website for her publishing company, Green Adventures Publishing, LLC., which she established to ensure the book is a model for sustainability. She also raised more than $14,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to fund printing and distribution costs. 

“I wanted to make sure that everything was being done in the most environmentally friendly way possible, and it seemed self-publishing was the only way to guarantee that,” Rush said.

“Evelyn the Environmentalist Takes on Climate Change” is made from 100% recycled unbleached post-consumer paper and uses plant-based inks.

It’s only available in paperback, which uses fewer materials than a hardback book. Rush also added an interactive piece by including a wildflower seed page at the back of the book.

“Children can tear the page out of their book and plant it in their backyard or a pot,” she said. “They can watch as the flowers grow and see how it helps the bees and other insects in the ecosystems around them.

“The flowers will grow back every year, meaning children can see how their one action has made a lasting impact.”

Rush wrote the second book in her series of three during an English class at the University focused on the theory and practice of picture books, which she took the semester following The Hatch. She expects that book, “A Recipe to Recycle,” to be available in mid to late fall 2024.