Environmental groups and resources serving K–12 schools
Encyclopedia
This article includes information about environmental groups and resources (such as those provided by government, its agencies, and existing or proposed legislation) that serve K–12 schools in the United States and internationally. The entries in this article are for broad-scope organizations that serve at least one state (within the US) or similar region (outside of the US).

Specific organized groups

As of 2008, many environmental groups exist, but they tend to overlap and duplicate efforts. The information here does not currently attempt to reconcile these issues but, rather, presents information as provided, when available, by each of the organizations described.

Listed below are formally organized groups in alphabetical order.

Algalita Marine Research Foundation

The Algalita Marine Research Foundation is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education, and restoration.

In keeping with our mission statement, the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) is engaged solely in (1) Protection of the marine environment and its watersheds, through investigative research on the impact of plastic marine pollution; and (2) Providing authoritative, educational findings to the public, private and scientific communities.

Algalita Marine Research Foundation (http://www.algalita.org/education.html) educations goals are met through our K-12 school programs (including curriculums and/or DVDs set to California's science standards), through public outreach, and through our unique educational literature. They make presentations at the local, state, federal and international levels on the topics of marine debris and ocean health. They have also created a series of videos intended to inform the public about ocean pollution.
  • Plastics Are Forever Program (http://www.plasticsareforever.org/)
  • Watershed Wonders school outreach (http://www.algalita.org/school-assemblies.html)

Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)

Alliance for Climate Education
Alliance for Climate Education
Alliance for Climate Education, or ACE, is the national leader in high school climate science education. ACE is a 5013 nonprofit that provides free multimedia assemblies on climate science and solutions to high schools. Since 2009, ACE has reached more than 700,000 students at more than 1,200 high...

 (ACE) (http://www.acespace.org) aims to inspire, educate and empower students in the fight against global warming because they believe that young adults can have a substantial and near-term positive impact on the global climate crisis. Through age-appropriate and engaging presentations, Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) intends to deepen the understanding of climate change among our next generation of leaders. Their primary goal is to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to confront the global warming challenges our planet faces. ACE teaches the most current and accurate climate science so students will best understand the global warming crisis, and take initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more informed lifestyle choices. ACE aims to empower students to share this knowledge by building awareness among family and friends as well as their broader communities. ACE will provide exciting opportunities for young people and schools to take action by awarding grants and scholarships to those who do.

Center for Ecoliteracy

The Center for Ecoliteracy
Center for Ecoliteracy
The Center for Ecoliteracy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education for sustainable living.-About:Located in Berkeley, California, the Center for Ecoliteracy's stated mission is to support schooling for sustainability....

 (http://www.ecoliteracy.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education for sustainable living. It seeks to advance schooling for sustainability by inspiring and supporting K-12 educators, parents, and other members of the school community who are helping young people gain the knowledge, skills, and values essential to sustainable living. Through its Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability initiative, it offers both a theoretical framework and practical resources for combining hands-on learning in the natural world with curricular innovation in K–12 education.

Center for Green Schools

The Center for Green Schools (http://centerforgreenschools.org/main-nav/the-center/welcome.aspx) at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is helping to engage educators in creating sustainable learning environments for their students and apply solid research to inform leadership—from school boards to college presidents—about the benefits of healthy, high-performing schools. They are working with state and local governments to draft smart, practical policies, and they provide trainings and helpful resources to those who need it most—K-12 schools serving lower-income families, under-resourced institutions and community colleges. The Center serves to convene conversations with key decision makers, collaborate with leading education and environmental associations and create tools and resources that help make green schools possible.

Classroom Earth

Classroom Earth (http://www.classroomearth.org) as launched by the National Environmental Education Foundation in partnership with The Weather Channel is a program designed to enhance and strengthen environmental education in high school classrooms nationwide. By harnessing the expertise and passion of teachers and students around the country, Classroom Earth will enrich the high school curriculum by encouraging the inclusion of environmental education into all high school subjects - from biology to art - and make it easier for teachers to access best practices online. The primary goal of the program is to increase the environmental literacy of high school students and to provide models for including environmental education in high school classrooms through the Web.

Climate Change Education

Climate Change Education (http://climatechangeeducation.org) provides a portal web site dedicated to global warming education, climate change education, science, and solutions for teachers, students, kids, families, educators, everyone.

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (http://www.chps.net), whose mission is to facilitate the design, construction and operation of high performance schools: environments that are not only energy and resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities for a quality education.

Cool the Earth (CETI)

Cool the Earth (CETI)
Cool the Earth
Cool the Earth Inc. is a non-profit educational organization based in Northern California. The mission of Cool the Earth is to educate kids and their families about climate change and motivate them to take simple measurable actions at home to reduce their carbon emissions...

 (http://www.cooltheearth.org) is a program that educates K-8 students and their families about global warming and encourages them to take simple actions to reduce their carbon emissions. The program runs in 100 schools in Northern California. Cool the Earth Inc's mission is to educate children and their families about climate change and motivate them to take simple, measurable energy conservation actions that reduce their carbon footprint. CTE has a program training and tracking system on the web, making their program replicable throughout the country.

The 4-6 month program launches with a school-wide assembly featuring an age-appropriate play, which educates children about global warming and empowers them to take action. Students then go home with a coupon book containing energy saving actions. The coupons highlight the economic and environmental benefit of each action. To ensure that environmental considerations become an integral part of our participant’s everyday living, the families and children commit to taking actions over the entire year. Finally the school displays a highly visible tracking banner to illustrate to the school community that collectively their actions significantly impact climate change.

Cool the Earth measures the effectiveness of its climate change program and tracks the number of energy-saving actions taken by participants and pounds of carbon saved at each school through the Cool the Earth website. It is estimated that within 3 months of running the program each school population running Cool the Earth takes an average of 550 new energy-saving actions to reduce their footprint, reducing their carbon emissions by 350,000 pounds annually.

Cool the Earth uses a child driven model to encourage energy conservation. This model, in which the family acts together out of concern for the dangers of global warming, has recently been cited as an effective method to create positive environmental change by The Center of Excellence in Climate Change Communication Research at George Mason University.

CTEI has partnered with the Bay Area Air District, Girl Scouts of Northern California (2008), PG&E (2008), Marin Community Foundation, Marin Conservation Corps, Strategic Energy Innovations, Marin Municipal Water District
Marin Municipal Water District
The Marin Municipal Water District is the government agency that provides drinking water to southern and central Marin County, California. Chartered in 1912, it became California's first municipal water district...

, Safe Routes to School (2008) and The Climate Project.

EarthTeam

EarthTeam (http://www.earthteam.net) has a stated mission to create a new generation of environmental leaders by introducing into the classroom and the community environmental experiences that are so active and engaging that they inspire dedication to a healthy environment. With a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, over 2,000 students at roughly 60 schools they're involved in EarthTeam’s programs during 2006-2007.

Eco-Schools

Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools is an international program of environmental and sustainable developmental education for schools. Foundation for Environmental Education is the founder of the programme and Eco-Schools is just one out of their five programmes....

 (http://www.eco-schools.org/), which is affiliated with Foundation for Environmental Education
Foundation for Environmental Education
The Foundation for Environmental Education is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education...

 (FEE) is a program for environmental management and certification, and sustainable development education for schools. Its holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improve the environments of schools and their local communities, and to influence the lives of young people, school staff, ::families, local authorities, NGOs, etc. By the end of the 2004/2005 school year, there were about 14,000 schools participating of which more than 4,000 were Green Flag award-winners. The Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded to schools with high achievement in their program, is a recognized and respected eco-label for environmental education and performance.

As of 2007, Eco-Schools does not include representation within the United States, although 38 other countries are represented (including, within the United Kingdom, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland) in Europe, Africa, South America, Oceania, and Asia.

According to Eco-Schools, they are open to a US organization becoming an FEE member organization and, in turn, to take charge of implementing the Eco-Schools Program and other FEE programs in the US. As FEE member organizations manage programs in the country in question, FEE membership is necessarily a precondition for the organization to implement any FEE program in that country.

Organizations in the US that might want to become affiliated with Eco-Schools can refer to the FEE website for information about requirements for joining FEE.

Energy Action Coalition

Energy Action Coalition
Energy Action Coalition
The Energy Action Coalition is a North American non-profit organization made up of 50 partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada that runs campaigns to build the youth and student clean energy movement and advocate for tangible changes on local, state, national and international levels in North...

 (http://energyactioncoalition.org) is a project of 48 leading youth and environmental organizations throughout the US and Canada. The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the US to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools. The Challenge is growing a generation-wide movement to stop global warming, by reducing the pollution from our high schools and colleges down to zero and leading our society to a clean energy future. Energy Action has run multiple campaigns to achieve these ends. In addition they planned the first national youth climate change conference, Power Shift '07 at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...

 and at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Energy Action is currently planning the second national youth climate summit, Power Shift '09 which will take place February 27 through March 2, 2009 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI)

The Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI) (http://www.tn.gov/eesi/) was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly
Tennessee General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.-Constitutional structure:According to the Tennessee State Constitution of 1870, the General Assembly is a bicameral legislature and consists of a Senate of thirty-three members and a House of Representatives of...

 in 2008 to provide funding to K-12 schools for energy efficiency projects. The initiative has $90 Million available to fund energy efficiency in K-12 schools in Tennessee.
Financial Incentives
EESI has both grants and low interest loans available to offset the cost of energy efficiency projects. School districts installing high efficiency equipment can qualify for up to $22 per student in grants and $66 per student in loans. While most incentives are pre-qualified, custom incentives are also available for “out of the box” projects.
A wealth of technical information and assistance is available to help schools through the complexities of saving energy. In addition to technical information, more hands on technical assistance such as energy audits and energy benchmarking are available at no cost to the schools.

EnergySmart Schools Program

EnergySmart Schools Program (http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/) is a United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...

 program through which the department "seeks to catalyze significant improvements in energy efficiency in the nation's K-12 schools at a time of enormous opportunity."

Energy Star for K-12 School Districts

Energy Star for K-12 School Districts (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=k12_schools.bus_schoolsk12) is a United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...

 program that provides tools and resources for K-12 school districts to implement Energy Star technologies.

Facing the Future

Facing the Future (http://www.facingthefuture.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and motivating today's students to be responsible stewards of tomorrow's world. The organization develops and delivers standards-based hands-on lessons, student textbooks, curriculum units http://facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/CurriculumHome/tabid/113/Default.aspx, and professional development opportunities http://facingthefuture.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/ProfessionalDevelopmentHome/tabid/119/Default.aspx for educators that promote critical thinking on global issues, sustainability and positive solutions. Facing the Future curriculum is in use in all 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries by teachers and students in grades K-12, in undergraduate and graduate classes, and across multiple subject areas.

Free curriculum downloads http://facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/DownloadFreeCurriculum/tabid/114/Default.aspx are available on their site for grades K-12.

Focus the Nation

Focus the Nation
Focus the Nation
Focus the Nation is a 501 non profit organization started in 2006 dedicated to accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy through youth empowerment...

 for K-12 (http://focusthenation.org/HSmodel.php) is a national educational initiative on global warming solutions for America that will culminate January 31, 2008 in symposia held simultaneously at over a thousand colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other institutions. Focus the Nation provides a high school model on their web site.

Free the Planet!

Free the Planet! (http://www.freetheplanet.org) has a stated mission to expand and strengthen the student environmental movement, provide resources for student activists, and work with students to win campaigns for strong environmental protections.

Among activities undertaken by Free the Planet! are the following:
  • expanding the student environmental movement by recruiting students who are concerned about the environment to take action, networking student activists with each other and the larger environmental movement, and providing fresh opportunities and ideas for activists.

  • providing resources for student activists through their Project LEAD Training, Activist Advising program, How To Free The Planet!: Trainings and Briefings for Environmental Action, action guides, and other materials.

  • working with students to win campaigns for strong environmental protections by providing them with the resources to work on national campaigns together and guides to running effective on-campus campaigns.


On their web site, the last listed accomplishments and newsletters were dated 2004, and no membership numbers are provided online.

Go-Green Initiative

Go-Green Initiative (http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/) is a simple, comprehensive program designed to create a culture of environmental responsibility on school campuses across the nation. Founded in 2002, the Go Green Initiative unites parents, students, teachers and school administrators in an effort to make real and lasting changes in their campus communities that will protect children and the environment for years to come. No membership numbers are listed on their web site, but they do claim that schools in 46 states and the District of Columbia, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Europe have adopted the Go Green Initiative.

Green School Buildings

Green School Buildings (http://www.greenschoolbuildings.org), which is part of the US Green Building Council, is the place to start making a change in your community.
Here, you can:
  • Learn what makes green schools better for students
  • Learn about local, state and federal initiatives to promote and support green schools
  • Learn about LEED
    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....

    , the national benchmark for high-performance schools
  • Find videos, research, case studies and other resources
  • Read the most recent green schools news
  • Get involved

Green Schools Alliance (GSA)

Green Schools Alliance (GSA) (http://www.greenschoolsalliance.org) is a non-profit organization created by schools for schools, working with and through schools worldwide to meet their energy and sustainability goals, raise environmental awareness, and empower students as well as faculty and staff. This growing network of "schools guiding schools" galvanizes schools' individual concerns about climate change and the environment into collective action to protect our shared future.

An alliance of K-12 public, private, and independent schools uniting to take action on climate change and the environment, the Green Schools Alliance helps to set goals, measure progress and celebrate success. The GSA seeks to remove obstacles for all schools to participate. Membership in the Green Schools Alliance is FREE, based only on a commitment of environmental leadership:

♦ A school joining the GSA at the Climate Steward level pledges to calculate their school’s carbon footprint by establishing an energy and carbon emissions baseline, and achieve carbon reductions over time.

♦ Some schools choose to join at the Climate Champion level, pledging to reduce their school’s carbon footprint by at least 30% within 5 years, and achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2020.

In its first 18 months, the GSA grew to include nearly 2,000 schools in 37 US states and 10 countries. Composed of students, administrators, faculty, facility managers, business officers, and parents, the GSA leverages schools experience, expertise and passion to build a green community across boundaries. This network help schools to maximize the environmental benefits to the greatest number.

GSA provides a menu of opportunities that engage all members of the school community to work together to ensure a safe and healthy environment for future generations through the implementation of sustainable, energy-smart solutions today. GSA programs, created by schools, integrate education and action. Programs include: the Green Schools Climate Commitment; Green Cup Challenge; Student Climate and Conservation Corps (Sc3); Green Schools Resource Fairs; 60 Second Solution; curriculum; and more.

In 2009 the Green Schools Alliance partnered with National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) to launch the Student Climate and Conservation Congress, Sc3, to empower students with the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to plant the seeds of change in their schools and communities. Fellows study and discuss environmental, social and economic interconnections and develop individual and collective action plans to meet 21st century challenges. Sc3 participants learn the practical skills needed to set sustainable, energy-smart goals and measure progress in their schools, homes or communities. Fellows continue to connect with their cohorts, coordinators and experts on an on-going basis for the year following the Congress to implement their Personal Action Plans. Past speakers include Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Alice Earle is an American oceanographer. She was chief scientist for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990–1992. She is a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, sometimes called "Her Deepness" or "The Sturgeon General".-Education and career:Earle received a...

, Robert Kennedy, Jr., Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben
William Ernest "Bill" McKibben is an American environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. He is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College...

 (Founder of 350.org
350.org
350.org is an international environmental organization, headed by author Bill McKibben, with the goal of building a global grassroots movement to raise awareness of anthropogenic climate change, to confront climate change denial, and to cut emissions of one of the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide,...

), Ian Cheney (Director of King Corn
King Corn
"King Corn" is episode 123 of The West Wing. The episode introduces Vinick's campaign staff.-Plot:The episode is related from three different viewpoints that roll forward from exactly the same moment, the 5:45am wake up call they receive from the hotel. The stories are, in order: Donna ; Josh , and...

), and Rob Watson
Rob Watson
Robert D. Watson is a keyboard player, producer and composer best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies...

 (Founder of LEED).

Green Schools Caucus

Green Schools Caucus (http://www.buildgreenschools.org/action/green_schools_caucus.html) is a bipartisan United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...

 caucus created to promote green building practices in schools.

Green Schools Fellowship

Green Schools Fellowship (http://www.centerforgreenschools.org/fellowship-program.aspx) was launched by the US Green Building Council in 2010 and will begin placing full-time sustainability officers in school districts across the country in July 2011. Green Schools Fellowship is an effort to effectively and rapidly transform the environments in which children in the US learn.

Green Schools Initiative

Green Schools Initiative (http://www.greenschools.net) was founded 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. They believe it is essential to protect children’s health – at school and in the world beyond school – and they work to catalyze and support “green” actions by kids, teachers, parents, and policymakers to:
  • eliminate toxics
  • use resources sustainably
  • create green spaces and buildings
  • serve healthy food, and teach stewardship

They are working to leverage the schools sector to transform the school environment – and the markets that supply schools – to improve health and sustainability. Using the Precautionary Principle as their policy foundation, they are advocating that school boards and state policymakers develop comprehensive action plans and build the local capacity to implement these plans. They are starting their efforts with schools throughout California; they collaborate with and support organizations and individuals in other states and nationally.

Green Teacher

Green Teacher (http://www.greenteacher.com) is a non-profit organization which publishes resources to help educators, both inside and outside of schools, to promote global and environmental awareness among young people from elementary through high school. The organization’s primary activity is the publication of Green Teacher, a quarterly magazine full of teaching ideas from successful “green" educators. Each issue of Green Teacher offers perspectives on the role of education in creating a sustainable future, practical cross-curricular activities for various grade levels, and reviews of the latest teaching resources.

Green Youth Alliance

Green Youth Alliance (http://www.greenalliance350.org/greenyouthalliance.html) is an environmental leadership service organization with the following goals:
  • Consciousness Raising: Develop student leaders who can raise awareness about the potentially cataclysmic effects of human-induced climate change
  • Action: Create opportunities for students to actively engage in projects that will help reduce our carbon footprint in schools, homes, and communities.
  • Political Engagement: Encourage students to participate in the political process of monitoring and interacting with our political representatives to ensure that environmentally-friendly political policies are adopted.
  • Leadership: Nurture the next generation of environmental leaders by encouraging students to develop their leadership abilities.

Healthy Schools Campaign

The Healthy Schools Campaign (http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/) is a 501(c)(3), an independent not-for-profit organization, and a leading authority on healthy school environments. With two primary program areas, environmental health and nutritional health, HSC works to promote policies and practices that allow all students, teachers and staff to learn and work in a healthy school environment. HSC published the Quick &
Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools which has been distributed to more than 90,000 schools across the US to help schools adopt green cleaning programs. The Quick & Easy Guide to School Wellness is also a publication to aid schools in implementing wellness policies. Current major efforts include promoting non-toxic cleaning programs, supporting passage of a health supporting Child Nutrition Act and engaging school stakeholders to become advocates for improving school health environments. HSC's annual high school culinary competition, Cooking up Change, is an annual event highlighting both the creativity of students creating a healthy school lunch, and a platform to discuss the importance of investing in school food with our political leaders.

Healthy Schools Network

The Healthy Schools Network (http://www.healthyschools.org/) is a 501(c)(3) national environmental health organization that does research, information, education, coalition-building, and advocacy to ensure that every child has a healthy learning environment that is clean and in good repair. Founded in 1995,they have documented and publicized school environmental problems; shaped and won new education, health, and environmental policies; fostered dozens of local and state policy groups; won systemic federal and state reforms; and helped thousands of parents and schools make classrooms and buildings healthier through their EPA award-winning Healthy Schools/Healthy Kids Clearinghouse (Information and Referral Services). Major efforts include: building the platform and the forum for school environments through the collaborative Coalition for Healthier Schools which they founded and convene with more than 400 local, state, and national partners; leading National Healthy Schools Day; offering steady assistance through the Clearinghouse's publications and referrals; and refining their model New York Program. Throughout, they are focused on: 1) High Performance School Design/Construction consistent with children's needs for healthy environments; 2) Greening Existing Schools; and 3) Environmental Public Health for Children who are disproportionately affected by environmental exposures.

Kids F.A.C.E.

Also known as Kids for A Clean Environment (http://www.kidsface.org), Kids F.A.C.E. has a stated mission to provide information on environmental issues to children, to encourage and facilitate youth's involvement with effective environmental action, and to recognize those efforts which result in the improvement of nature. As of January 2008, they claim to have more than 2,000 club chapters in fifteen countries and more than 300,000 individual members.

Inconvenient Youth

Inconvenient Youth (http://inconvenientyouth.org), is a network of teens across America who give a damn about our future. They feel that the time has come to act in the face of climate change. They believe that, given the urgency of this incredible problem, they can no longer rely on others to take responsibility on our behalf.

International Climate Champs

International Climate Champs (http://www.britishcouncil.org/climatechange-climatechampions.htm), is based on a successful UK program run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom...

 (DEFRA) in 2006. This project gives youth a voice, increases positive media coverage and helps individuals, schools, communities and many others tackle climate change. These champions are young people of school age, selected to help spread the word about climate change and to get others involved. They are working with in-country partners, initially the G8+5 (Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, UK, USA) (as of 2008), to help set up Climate Champion initiatives. Other countries will follow on later. Each country involved selects three people to be International Climate Champions. The Champions are aged 16–18 years.

LEED for Schools

LEED for Schools (http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1586) is provided by the US Green Building Council. The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on the LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....

 for New Construction rating system, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.

Lexus Eco Challenge

Lexus Eco Challenge (http://www.scholastic.com/lexus/) was developed to educate students about the environment and inspire them to create a better world. In conjunction with Scholastic Corporation, Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...

 designed this national competition to challenge middle and high school students to create and implement environmental programs in their communities.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Sustainable Schools listserve

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...

 (NAIS) Sustainable Schools listserve (http://www.nais.org/resources/article.cfm?ItemNumber=147584) is available to give all practitioners of matters related to sustainability a forum to pose questions and solicit input and feedback from others working on these issues in independent schools.

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF)

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF)
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF)
The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities is an extensive U.S. source of school facility planning, design, funding, construction, operations, and maintenance information, with coverage spanning pre-kindergarten through higher education...

 (http://www.ncef.org) provides information on planning, designing, funding, building, improving, and maintaining safe, healthy, high performance schools. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) Green Squad

The NRDC Green Squad (http://www.nrdc.org/greensquad/) teaches kids about the relationship between their schools and environmental and health issues. The site is designed primarily for students in fifth through eighth grade, but also offers information for younger and older students as well as parents and teachers.
The Green Squad was made possible through the generous support of Citigroup Foundation and The F. A. O. Schwarz Family Foundation.
The Green Squad is a project of NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group with more than 500,000 members, and the Healthy Schools Network, an organization that works to protect children's environmental health in schools.

North American Association for Environmental Education

The North American Association for Environmental Education (http://www.naaee.org) promotes excellence in environmental education and serves environmental educators for the purpose of achieving environmental literacy in order for present and future generations to benefit from a safe and healthy environment and a better quality of life. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a network of professionals, students, and volunteers working in the field of environmental education throughout North America and in over 55 countries around the world. Since 1971, the Association has promoted environmental education and supported the work of environmental educators. There are many environmental interest groups, and many organizations dedicated to improving education. NAAEE uniquely combines and integrates both of these perspectives, and takes a cooperative, nonconfrontational, scientifically-balanced approach to promoting education about environmental issues.

Project BudBurst

Project BudBurst (http://neoninc.org/budburst/) is a national field campaign for citizen scientists designed to engage the public in the collection of important climate change data based on the timing of leafing and flowering of trees and flowers, and the project provides resources and opportunities for K-12 teachers (http://neoninc.org/budburst/educators/index.php) and students (http://neoninc.org/budburst/citizenscientists/index.php). BudBurst participants take careful observations of the phenological events such as the first bud burst, first leafing, first flower, and seed or fruit dispersal of a diversity of tree and flower species, including weeds and ornamentals. The citizen science observations and records are reported into the BudBurst data base. Thousands of citizen scientists participated in the inaugural pilot test of Project BudBurst in 2007 and as a result useful data was collected in a consistent way across the country. Scientists can use this data to learn about the responses of individual plant species to climatic variation locally, regionally, and nationally, and to detect longer-term impacts of climate change by comparing with historical data. The enthusiastic response and robust participation in the 2007 pilot effort made it clear that there was sufficient interest from the American public to expand Project BudBurst in 2008! Project BudBurst was moved from UCAR to NEON in 2011.

Sierra Student Coalition

The Sierra Student Coalition
Sierra Student Coalition
The Sierra Student Coalition is the national student chapter of the Sierra Club. Founded by Adam Werbach in 1991, it now has about 14,000 members and is likely the largest student-led environmental group in the United States.- National-level :...

 (http://ssc.sierraclub.org) is a broad network of high school and college students from around the country working to protect the environment. They have over 250 affiliated groups based at schools around the country (although just over 100 contacts are listed on the web site as of January 2008). The SSC is the student arm of the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...

, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots environmental organization. Like the Sierra Club, the SSC is run by volunteers who work on national and local campaigns that promote smart energy solutions and protect the environment. They develop environmental leaders through their award winning grassroots trainings programs and work to maximize their campus-based effectiveness through the creation and maintenance of state and national networks of high school and college students. A small staff supports the work of the Sierra Student Coalition’s volunteer-run activities.

Sierra Youth Coalition

The Sierra Youth Coalition (http://www.syc-cjs.org), in each of their program areas, strives to achieve the following objectives:
Involve: empower youth in Canada to become active members of their community;
Educate: create a widespread understanding that all things are connected;
Change: challenge unjust and unsustainable systems by using a solutions based approach; and to
Invoke Seven Generations: ensure that the voices of future generations are clearly heard by decision-makers
Envisioned as a place to learn and grow, SYC aims to provide volunteers and employees with satisfying and meaningful work. This is achieved through a non-hierarchical and consensus based decision making model that allows equal access to information and a fair distribution of responsibility.

Student Environmental Action Coalition

Student Environmental Action Coalition
Student Environmental Action Coalition
The Student Environmental Action Coalition or SEAC is a student and youth run national network of progressive organizations and individuals based in the United States....

 is a grassroots coalition of student and youth environmental groups working together to protect our planet and our future. Through this united effort, thousands of youth have translated their concern into action by sharing resources, building coalitions, and challenging the limited mainstream definition of environmental issues. Since 1988, through campaigns, conferences, and a lot of hard work, SEAC has grown to hundreds of junior high school, high school college, and community groups throughout the United States and Canada.

Groups with a focus on specific areas of interest

  • Farm to School
    Farm to School
    Farm to School is a program in the United States through which schools buy and feature locally produced, farm-fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans on their menus. Schools also incorporate nutrition-based curriculum and provide students with experiential learning...

     organizations exist at national, state, and local levels, and, in general, they help to develop and implement program through which schools buy and feature locally produced, farm fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans on their menus.

  • Green fundraising programs, such as Trees for a Change, (http://www.treesforachange.com) allow school groups to raise funds while helping the planet. These programs teach students about wildfire, forest restoration, team building and responsibility.

United States government resources and legislation (112th Congress)

Details will be provided here as relevant legislation is introduced. As of October 22, 2011, no such legislation has been identified to document here.

United States government resources and legislation (111th Congress)

  • Green Schools Act, H.R. 58 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.58:), which would:
    • Direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program awarding matching grants to local educational agencies for green school construction and improvement projects that create healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.
    • Amend the Internal Revenue Code
      Internal Revenue Code
      The Internal Revenue Code is the domestic portion of Federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code...

       to extend, through 2013, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds
      Qualified Zone Academy Bonds
      Qualified Zone Academy Bonds are a U.S. debt instrument created by Section 226 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. QZABs allow certain qualified schools to borrow at nominal interest rates for costs incurred in connection with the establishment of special programs in partnership with the private...

       program (which provides tax credits to the holders of such bonds, which in turn finance low or no interest loans for the improvement of public schools serving low-income areas).
    • Require public school rehabilitation, repair, or equipment financed through such bonds to serve the green goals of creating healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.

  • School Building Enhancement Act, H.R. 579 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.579:), which would provide for grants from the Secretary of Education to state and local educational agencies for EnergySmart schools and Energy Star
    Energy Star
    Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...

     programs.

  • 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, H.R. 2187 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2187:), which would direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, and for other purposes.

  • Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, H.R. 3221 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3221:), which would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. Green school construction (Section 339) and establishing a green-related advisory council (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:4:./temp/~c1118tHmdu:e171814:Section 343) are included in the legislation.

  • Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act, S 268 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s.268:), which would provide funding for a Green Job Corps program, YouthBuild
    YouthBuild
    YouthBuild is a non-profit organization which provides education, counseling and job skills to unemployed young American adults , generally high school dropouts...

     Build Green Grants, and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants, and for other purposes.

  • School Building Fairness Act of 2009, S. 1121 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s.1121:), which would amend part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants for the repair, renovation, and construction of elementary and secondary schools, including early learning facilities at the elementary schools. Among the criteria for awarding grants is the category “Green Schools”, which is described as follows: The extent to which a local educational agency will make use, in the repair, renovation, or construction to be undertaken, of green practices that are certified, verified, or consistent with any applicable provisions of any of the following
    • The LEED
      Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
      Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....

       Green Building Rating System
    • Energy Star
      Energy Star
      Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...

    • The CHPS Criteria
    • Green Globes
      Green Globes
      Green Globes is an environmental assessment, education and rating system that is promoted in the United States by the Green Building Initiative, a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit....

    • An equivalent program adopted by the State or another jurisdiction with authority over the local educational agency

United States government resources and legislation (110th Congress)

  • Green Schools Improvement Act, HR 5401 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.05401:), which would authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities, and for other purposes.

  • Renewable Schools Energy Act of 2007, HR 2441 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02441:), which would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow public school districts to receive no interest loans for the purchase of renewable energy systems, and for other purposes.

  • School Building Enhancement Act, HR 3197 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03197:), which would provide for grants from the Secretary of Education to state and local educational agencies for EnergySmart schools and Energy Star
    Energy Star
    Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...

    programs.

External links

  • Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits, October 1996 (http://www.cap-e.com/spotlight/index.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=34196) is a report that was sponsored by the following:
    • American Federation of Teachers
    • American Institute of Architects
    • American Lung Association
    • Federation of American Scientists
    • U.S. Green Building Council
and is intended to answer the fundamental questions: How much more do green schools cost, and is greening schools cost effective?
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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