Green Your School, Grounds, and Curriculum with Eco-Schools USA

1. Green Your School, Grounds, and Curriculum with Eco-Schools USA

2. The International Eco-Schools Program 1994 – Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) 2003 – United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) • 50 countries • 37,000+ K-12 schools • 600,000 teachers • 9.5 million students • Green Flag schools

3. Eco-Schools USA • Dec. 2008 – U.S. host status granted to National Wildlife Federation • Nov. 2009 – Website launched • Sept. 2010 – WA outreach campaign 406 Schools Nationally 16 Schools In WA

4. Target Audience • K-12 • Public, private, charter, magnet schools • Home schools and alternative schools • Other institutions such as nature centers?

5. Benefits of Eco-Schools USA • Improve student engagement and academic performance • Reduce environmental impact • Save resources and money • Connect with the community • Foster environmental literacy and mentor the next generation of environmental stewards

6. Three-Pronged Framework 1) Building 2) Grounds 3) Curriculum • Holistic approach • Mutually reinforcing links

7. Self-Guided Process

8. The Seven Steps • Eco-Action Team • Environmental Audit • Action Plan • Monitor and Evaluate • Link to Curriculum • Involve the Community • Create an Eco-Code

9. Eight Pathways Energy Water School Grounds Transportation Consumption & Waste Global Dimensions Climate Change The “Green Hour”

10. Energy • Schools spend more money on energy than on computers and textbooks combined • Energy conservation can cut costs and provide excellent learning opportunities for students

11. Water • Water is one of the planet’s most valuable natural resources • Basic water efficiency programs can reduce a school’s water use by 30% or more

12. School Grounds • From manicured lawns and asphalt…to outdoor classroom, wildlife habitat, and hands-on learning lab. • Schoolyard habitat resources: www.nwf.org/schoolyard

13. Transportation • Less than 15 % of students walk or bike to school (50 % in 1969) • Sustainable transport solutions lead to: • GREATER safety, health, academic performance, and community engagement • LESS traffic, air pollution, carbon emissions, transport costs

14. Global Dimensions • Environmental issues are global issues • Eco-Schools, as an international program, offers opportunities to make meaningful connections around the world

15. Consumption and Waste • The U.S. is home to 5 % of the world’s population and generates 30 % of its waste • Opportunities for schools: recycling, composting, analyzing product life cycles

16. Climate Change An opportunity for: • Education about causes and solutions, in age-appropriate ways • Action projects to reduce the school’s carbon footprint

17. The “Green Hour” • Outdoor time has decreased by 50 % in the past 20 years • Children who play outside are more active and physically fit • Time in nature improves academic performance

18. Three Award Levels • Criteria for each of the seven steps • Number of pathways addressed increases by level • Bronze & Silver self-assessed • Green Flag – school visit

19. Case Study: School Building Lanier Middle School Fairfax, VA

20. Case Study: School Grounds Kent Meridian HS Kent, WA

21. Case Study: Curriculum United High School Armaugh, PA

22. Washington Partners

23. How to Get Involved • Register online • Check the map to connect with other registered Washington schools Contact: Courtney Sullivan Education Manager National Wildlife Federation, Pacific Region Email: sullivanc@nwf.org Phone: 206-285-8707