caurtesy : GREENER EFFORT IN SCHOOL

The Green Schools Initiative was founded in 2004 by parent-environmentalists who were shocked by how un-environmental their kids’ schools were and mobilized to improve the environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools in the U.S. We believe it is essential to protect children’s health – at school and in the world beyond school – and we work to catalyze and support “green” actions by kids, teachers, parents, and policymakers to reduce the environmental footprint of schools by:

• Eliminating toxics
• Using resources sustainably
• Creating green schoolyards and buildings
• Serving healthy food and
• Teaching environmental literacy and stewardship.

The environmental impact of the 130,000 public, private and charter K-12 schools, which educate or employ 1 in 5 Americans, is enormous, in financial, ecological and health terms. The impact includes millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions, thousands of tons of garbage and toxic waste, and exposure to unhealthy conditions that affect students’ ability to learn. A growing body of evidence shows that “green” schools that integrate sustainable facilities, healthy operations, and environmental curricula result in environmental and financial savings, improved health for students and staff, and better academic achievement.

We work to transform schools into models of sustainability for communities, engaging youth in hands-on, inquiry-based learning and action to improve the health and sustainability of facilities and operations. We advocate for policies, action plans, and professional development that foster high performance, cost-efficient, and academically excellent schools. Our work focuses on training teachers, parents, facility directors, school board members and others in our  approach; providing the tools and resources to support schools in reducing their environmental footprint; and advocating for state policies that support healthy and sustainable schools and environmental literacy. We have trained about 2,000 educators from 350 schools and districts. We focus our efforts on K-12 schools and districts throughout California; and we collaborate with and support organizations and individuals in other states and nationally.

Deborah Moore, a mother and environmental scientist, is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Green Schools Initiative. She has twenty years of experience working with environment and social justice organizations in the U.S. and internationally. She spent fourteen years working with Environmental Defense Fund protecting rivers and water quality and promoting water conservation.

We also have a Communications Coordinator, a School Coordinator, and several interns.

The Green Schools Initiative is a mostly volunteer effort, relying on dedicated parents, teachers, staff, and School Board members to start Green Teams and implement green school programs in their own communities. We provide training, support, and advocacy to leverage their efforts. We also establish strategic partnerships with other education, environment, and health organizations, and eco-friendly businesses.

The Green Schools Initiative is a project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501c3 non-profit organization registered as a public charity, which provides non-profit status and fiscal administration . Donations are fully tax-deductible.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: There are many ways you can support us. We rely on local volunteers to take action in their own school communities. Contact us to find out ways of investing in our work, volunteering, and taking action locally.