People who say they care about the earth’s environment should put their money where their mouth is.

That’s a lesson that has been taken to heart by a group of fourth grade students in Miss Megan Flynn’s class at St. Philomena’s School in Peoria.

They were inspired to take positive action while preparing for their school’s Earth Day musical production, which was about how people can help the environment and work together to make the world a better place.

“They were learning all about being good stewards of God’s creation,” said Miss Flynn.

Class member Emily Fahey then had an idea handed to her.

“My sister Kate had brought in a pamphlet for ‘adopting’ an animal at the Peoria Zoo,” Emily told The Catholic Post.

The Peoria Zoo’s adopt-an-animal program seemed like a perfect earth-friendly gesture not only for their class and but for the whole school.

“Our school mascot is a tiger, and we thought it would be neat to help raise money to care for a real tiger at the zoo,” said Kate Fahey.

“We thought it would be cool to have a ‘St. Philomena’s tiger’ at the zoo,” agreed Karly Spires.

Kate, Emily and Karly are three members of the “Tigers for Tigers” team which spearheaded the “tiger adoption” campaign. The other team members are Bridget Schuler, Amelia DeCeanne, Kelly Tony and Mary Clare O’Brien.