Published: October 24, 2008
Bloom High School in Chicago Heights Goes Green
Wal-Mart Foundation Partners with Earth Day Network to "Green" Bloom High School
Greening will include solar panels, living wall, a greenhouse, and other sustainable initiatives
The Wal-Mart Foundation and Earth Day Network today announced the greening of Bloom High School. The "green makeover" is part of Earth Day Network's "Green Schools Campaign," which aims to create healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable learning environments - both indoors and outdoors - at schools across the nation. The work includes retrofitting the school with energy-saving products, constructing a greenhouse and living green wall, and installing solar panels.
Wal-Mart and Earth Day Network worked together to identify schools in urban communities that would benefit greatly from the donations and have already taken steps to become more sustainable. The retrofits and installations began in September and were showcased today at Bloom High School's Earth Fair. Students had the opportunity to learn about conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy issues through presentations by representatives of Earth Day Network and the companies that donated equipment and environmental systems.
"Green schools reduce greenhouse gas emissions and toxins while increasing attendance, lowering illness rates and raising grade levels," said Sean Miller, director of Earth Day Network's Education Program. "Students fare much better with green schools and so does the planet. We are honored to be working with Wal-Mart on these forward-thinking projects."
With the support from the Wal-Mart Foundation, Earth Day Network was able to install energy-saving products, such as compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs), power strips, automatic light sensors, and a greenhouse. Pre and post-project air quality tests and energy audits also will be conducted. One of the more innovative elements is the addition of a living wall, which is a vertical wall of plants that filters air and water throughout the building and provides energy savings to the school.
"Our students learned firsthand how these products will help not only our school but our environment," said Barry Latham, Bloom High School physics and chemistry teacher. "This donation allowed them to participate in our sustainable efforts and engage with the professionals who are leaders in the field."
Around the campus, Bloom High School students, Wal-Mart volunteers and Earth Day Network staff will carry out beautification projects, including the use of native plants in the creation of water-saving landscapes (xeriscaping). The project will culminate with the installation of a 36-panel photovoltaic system on the school's roof, providing an educational setting for students and reducing energy costs for the school. The solar installation will save roughly 38,600 lbs of CO2 every year, or the equivalent to planting 6.71 acres of trees per year.
"At Wal-Mart, we believe sustainability can live within every corner of our lives, including the places where we shop, live and learn," said Matt Kistler, senior vice president of sustainability at Wal-Mart. "We are excited to partner with Earth Day Network on this project, which will help Bloom High School save money on energy and teach future generations to live more sustainably. This also helps Wal-Mart take its goal to help people save money and live better one step further."
About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability and health. In 2007, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
About Earth Day Network
Earth Day Network, www.earthday.net, seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. It pursues these goals through education, politics, and consumer activism. Earth Day Network has a global reach with a network of more than 17,000 partners and organizations in 174 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world. Launched in 2007 with the U.S. Green Building Council and the William J. Clinton Foundation, Earth Day Network's "Green Schools Campaign" aims to green all of America's schools within a generation.
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