Green Ribbon Schools Program Launched by U.S. Department of Education
Green schools will soon get the recognition they deserve!
"Green Ribbon Schools," a new program from the U.S. Department of Education, was announced in April, 2011. It will celebrate schools that have made significant strides in greening, from curriculum to facilities to operations.
The first Green Ribbon School
Awards, to be awarded on Earth Day 2012, will be given to schools that are the best models for the
transition to a sustainable America, from producing environmentally
literate students, to minimizing the school's environmental footprint. Read the whole story at: Dept of Ed New Green Ribbon Program Recognizes Green Schools Trend.
Many states have also established statewide green schools networks and recognition programs (find a list of links under "Green School Programs" on our Resources page).
Meanwhile...Here in California, Green Schools Initiative has been partnering with Bay Area county government agencies like Stopwaste.org to develop a green schools recognition and certification program called the Green Star Schools Program. This year, we've been pilot testing the new program at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Berkeley with great success.
Deborah Moore, Executive Director of Green Schools Initiative, says "We
are excited about both the national and state programs that will honor
and recognize schools for their conservation efforts, as well as
provide guidance that will make it easier for schools to go green."