Last week, school districts across the country were recognized as Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education for their ability to reduce environmental impact, improve health and wellness, and provide successful sustainability education. We’ve chosen three winners to illustrate what strategies prove most successful and how you can replicate their efforts.
This year’s Green Ribbon Schools recipients range from early learning centers to higher education institutions. The majority of the list, however, includes forty-one schools and 10 districts that were recognized for “ensuring equitable access to healthy, climate-resilient learning environments where students are prepared for the sustainability challenges of the present and future,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.
Take for instance the Batesville School District in Arkansas whose students are reducing environmental impact and costs through various water-saving measures, leveraging efficient lighting, windows and solar panels. They also rely on several alternative transportation strategies like reducing bus routes and advocating for bus safety to minimize the district’s environmental footprint.
BSD has also secured a grant that allows them to serve fresh fruits and vegetables each day while piloting a “Farm to School” program that connects locally sourced fresh food to their school community.
“The creative use of grounds for education and recreating, including greenhouses, trails, outdoor classrooms and parks, showcases a holistic approach to education,” a report from the Department of Education reads.
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Another district that’s spearheading sustainability initiatives is the Cabrillo Unified School District in California. They promote environmental literacy and sustainability through districtwide initiatives and strategic planning. Inspired by the Half Moon Bay High School Environmental Club, the district formed the Environmental Sustainability Committee, a coalition of students, staff, board members and community partners who are responsible for shaping the district’s ecological efforts.
“Teaming up with the local county office of education, Cabrillo actively supports teachers and staff in designing project-based learning units emphasizing environmental action and justice,” the report reads.
Finally, Falmouth Public Schools in Massachusetts immerses students in sustainability education as early as kindergarten. On “Oceans Day,” students learn the impacts of erosion, pollutants and climate change on ocean ecosystems.
“The hallmark of FPS’ sustained efforts is a comprehensive reimagining of teaching and learning with a focus on conservation, sustainability and environmental stewardship in partnership with scientists, researchers and the greater professional community,” the report declares.
Each campus is equipped with an outdoor learning space. Teachers and students also leverage various locations of protected conservation for “living classrooms” through walking field trips and professional development. Students are also part of a more than two decades-long longitudinal study to record data about local ponds.
The district also saves more than 91,500 pounds of food scraps each year from the landfill and provides reusable flatware and trays in their school cafeterias.
This is but a mere example of the dozens of innovative schools working to improve sustainability efforts through meaningful education and immersive experiences. You can read more about 2024’s Green Ribbon Schools and their programs here.
