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Watch the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Ceremony Live

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss, and NOAA Education Director Louisa Koch will honor the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS), District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees at 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 3rd in Washington, D.C.  Fifty-eight schools, 14 districts, and nine colleges and universities will be recognized for their commitment to reducing environmental impact and utility costs, promoting better health, and providing environmental education.  The festivities will also recognize a state official for advancing sustainable schools in her state. 

ED-GRS has three distinct “Pillars” that are aims for all to work toward.  These broad goals in the areas of school facilities, health, and environmental learning are used to engage more schools in existing federal, non-profit, and state tracking and certification programs that can help all schools save money, improve health, and teach by the most hands-on, engaging means possible.  The complementary Green Strides outreach initiative offers social media, this monthly newsletter, a resource and webinar portal, and an annual tour to spotlight innovative practices.  In this way, ED-GRS goes beyond standing up a few promising examples or a single annual event, working to connect all schools with the resources and practices that honorees successfully use. 

The June 3rd ceremony will be livestreamed at 2 p.m. ET. >>>>

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.

Colorado State University (CSU) opened its first campus farm in 1888.  Today, CSU holds the first Platinum rating by any college or university in the world from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System).  An Energy Reserve Fund provides a revolving fund for campus energy and water efficiency projects.  The school is able to fund $750,000 to $1,000,000 in projects each year, and uses utility savings to replenish the fund.  The campus features solar installations, a biomass boiler, and 29 LEED certified or registered buildings.  CSU is a Silver Bicycle Friendly University according to the League of American Cyclists.  With nutrition labeling, vegetarian and vegan options, and a focus on local food, CSU’s Housing and Dining Services make sustainable foods a part of diners’ experience.  Dining halls have pulpers, participate in composting efforts, and recycle cooking oil.  The President’s Picnic, which involves the entire campus annually, achieved a 99 percent diversion rate.  CSU is a Keep America Beautiful Recycle Mania participant and an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus USA.  CSU’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability offers courses and research that provide an interdisciplinary understanding of the environment.  CSU is educating future green builders through the Institute for the Built Environment, where students have performed the documentation efforts on LEED projects on and off campus, and designed constructed wetlands and a green roof.  Civic learning and real-world exposure are the focus of the Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement program, which allows students to participate in experiential and service learning opportunities that make a difference in the community and around the world.  >>>>

Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, Hartford, Conn.

The Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (AoEGT) has participated in many activities using the Connecticut Green LEAF program, including recycling of classroom, electronic, and cafeteria waste; a composting project; hosting an environmental summit; and spearheading community outreach anti-litter campaigns and cleanups.  The school uses local and organic foods and the health teacher pursues a relevant curriculum on nutrition and healthy choices, and the school garden program provides fresh vegetables for students to take home to their families.  Students are given seeds and seedlings for home gardens.  AoEGT has sent more than 10 percent of each graduating class to study engineering in college, an impressive figure considering that the national average is five percent.  Environmental and sustainability concepts are integrated into the curriculum in all subject areas, and students may also study electronics, biotechnology, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, and architecture.  The school’s Green News Club publishes a quarterly magazine promoting sustainability efforts.  The school has conducted many field trips that have focused on green technologies and relevant careers, including to the wastewater treatment facility, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority Trash Museum, the Yale Peabody museum, and the UTC Aerospace Systems campus. The school has hosted an Earth Day Cleanup and Celebration for six years running.  AoEGT is the Connecticut Green Building Council’s 2014 Student Award of Merit recipient for its nationally acclaimed Nepal Project, a wind/solar hybrid power system designed and built by AoEGT students for the village of Saldang, Nepal.  AoEGT has been a site for the Green Apple Day of Service for the past three years, during which more than 300 volunteers have completed over 1200 hours of community service. >>>>

Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, Hartford, Conn.

The Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (AoEGT) has participated in many activities using the Connecticut Green LEAF program, including recycling of classroom, electronic, and cafeteria waste; a composting project; hosting an environmental summit; and spearheading community outreach anti-litter campaigns and cleanups. The school uses local and organic foods and the health teacher pursues a relevant curriculum on nutrition and healthy choices, and the school garden program provides fresh vegetables for students to take home to their families. Students are given seeds and seedlings for home gardens. AoEGT has sent more than 10 percent of each graduating class to study engineering in college, an impressive figure considering that the national average is five percent. Environmental and sustainability concepts are integrated into the curriculum in all subject areas, and students may also study electronics, biotechnology, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, and architecture. The school’s Green News Club publishes a quarterly magazine promoting sustainability efforts. The school has conducted many field trips that have focused on green technologies and relevant careers, including to the wastewater treatment facility, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority Trash Museum, the Yale Peabody museum, and the UTC Aerospace Systems campus. The school has hosted an Earth Day Cleanup and Celebration for six yearsrunning. AoEGT is the Connecticut Green Building Council’s 2014 Student Award of Merit recipient for its nationallyacclaimed Nepal Project, a wind/solar hybrid power system designed and built by AoEGT students for the village of Saldang, Nepal. AoEGT has been a site for the Green Apple Day of Service for the past three years, during which more than 300 volunteers havecompleted over 1200 hours of community service. >>>>

Get Students Outdoors and Active this June During Great Outdoors Month

June is Great Outdoors Month: a celebration of our parks and waters and the many ways to enjoy them. It's also a time to reflect on what we can do to preserve America's natural spaces for the enjoyment of future generations. Looking for ways to get kids outdoors and active this Great Outdoors Month?  Check out these nationwide events in June:  National Trails Day is June 6th, Get Outdoors Day is June 13th, and the Great American Campout is June 27th. >>>>

The Green, Clean Schools Leadership Summit is July 30-31 in Seattle

This summer, Healthy Schools Campaign will host the first annual Green Clean Schools Leadership Summit in Seattle, WA.  Facility managers, school decision makers, green cleaning experts, and vendors from across the nation are invited to come together in the name of healthier schools.  The summit serves as an opportunity for leaders in the field to connect, share their knowledge, and grow their programs.>>>>

Let’s Get Every Kid in a Park

Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters — for them and their families — for a full year.  Many children don’t visit these places because they can’t get there easily, so federal resources will be available to help schools and families arrange field trips and visits by providing key trip-planning tools, and helping to cover transportation costs for schools with the greatest financial need.  Learn more at this fact sheet. >>>>

Green Apple Day of Service is September 26th

The Green Apple Day of Service gives parents, teachers, students, companies, and local organizations the opportunity to transform all schools into healthy, safe, and productive learning environments through local service projects.  Check out project ideas, pick up helpful event resources, read about last year's impact, find an event in your area and register your 2015 project.  Watch this video where Secretary Duncan gets painting at a local school on Green Apple Day of Service.  >>>>

Apply for Captain Planet Foundation Small Grants by September 30th 

Captain Planet Foundation’s (CPF) Small Grants fund environmental stewardship and service-learning projects that engage children in critical thinking, research, inquiry investigations, and real-world environmental problem-solving.  CPF’s Small Grants are given in 5 major impact areas: Earth (recycling, conservation, and gardening projects), Fire (energy conservation and renewable energy projects), Wind (air pollution and pollinator conservation projects), Water (water conservation, watershed and monitoring projects) and Heart (community vitality and outdoor education projects).  Grant awards provide educators with the funding needed to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies.  >>>>

Apply for Project Learning Tree’s GreenWorks Grant by September 30th

Do you have an idea for an environmental improvement project but need funds to implement it?  Project Learning Tree is accepting applications for a school/community native plant garden, a forest improvement project, a streamside restoration plan, a recycling program, or energy conservation project targeting students. Grants are offered for service-learning projects that improve schools or restore natural habitats. This year, grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $1,000. >>>>

President’s Environmental Youth Award Applications are Due Dec. 31, 2015

Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people across the U.S. for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology.  The President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) promote awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourage positive community involvement.  Winning projects in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas, including: restoring native habitats, recycling in schools and communities, construction of nature preserves, tree planting, installing renewable energy projects, creating videos, skits, and newsletters that focused on environmental issues, and many other creative sustainability efforts.  The PEYA program includes two components: a national award competition and a regional certificate.  >>>>

Technical Assistance for Educational Facilities Available

The Education Facilities Clearinghouse can provide technical assistance to public schools, school divisions, state education agencies, and public institutions of higher learning in the areas of school sustainability, school building environmental health, and school safety, among other topics.  Priority will be given to underserved schools and districts.  These services may be provided on-site, by telephone, or electronically. >>>>

The Green Strides Webinar Series provides school communities free tools to reduce their schools' environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental education. It offers all schools access to the resources that help them move toward the Pillars of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award.  Mark your calendar for these upcoming sessions:

June   4, 2015, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.  ENERGY STAR and Green Building Rating System (EPA)

June   4, 2015, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Effective Cleaning and Maintenance in Schools (EPA)

June   9, 2015, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.  Portfolio Manager Schema Changes (EPA)

June 10, 2015, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Summer Meals: New to the Program? Ask (USDA)

June 17, 2015, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Summer Meals: Returning to the Program? Ask (USDA)

The Series promotes free, nationally-available webinars from a variety of federal and non-profit presenters in the areas of school facilities, health, and environment.  If you would like to suggest other webinars or resources please email ed.green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.