Published: October 18, 2011
Green Ribbon Schools Program: Environmental Organizations Honored
Campaign for Environmental Literacy, Earth Day Network, National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Green Building Council recognized for efforts on Green Ribbon Schools program
A partnership of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy (CEL), Earth Day Network, National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has received an award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education (EE) by an Organization at the Regional Level from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
The award, which is given each year, was accepted on Saturday, 15th of October by Sean Miller of Earth Day Network, Jim Elder of Campaign for Environmental Literacy and Danielle Moodie of National Wildlife Federation at the 40th NAAEE annual conference in Raleigh, NC.
The award is presented to organizations to recognize their efforts in promoting and providing environmental education leadership at the local, regional and global levels. Recipients have made significant contributions in the area of environmental education, and have shown dedicated service in the field, along with outstanding environmental action and contribution. The four organizations are recognized for their work on the Green Ribbon Schools program, a new initiative launched by the Department of Education.
"National Wildlife Federation understands that providing America's youth with a solid understanding of the environment is key to creating a sustainable future for them and their children," said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
"This award recognizes the importance of developing programs that give students the understanding and tools they need to make that sustainable future a reality."
The effort to get the Green Ribbon program adopted by the Department and working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, has been strongly supported by the four organizations accepting the award. These organizations, along with the greater NGO community, applaud the Department of Education for the speed and efficiency with which it was able to develop and launch this program, and commend all parties involved for making green schools a national priority.
The Green Ribbon Schools program provides a benchmark for schools across the nation trying to achieve environmental sustainability, and creates a consistent standard for schools to be held to. The award will recognize schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.
Jim Elder, director of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, said: "We are all greatly honored by this prestigious award which is recognizing Green Ribbon as an important milestone in the history of environmental education. I am also delighted that, through the Green Ribbon Schools award, the Department of Education has now set a clear expectation: every student who graduates from a green school should be environmentally literate."
Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the U.S. Department of Education has existing authority to "identify and recognize exemplary schools and programs," which they have done quite successfully over the past 30 years with the Blue Ribbon Schools award for academic excellence. The Green Ribbon program will make clear the depth and breadth of change needed to truly become a green school and help organizations and states work towards a common goal of supporting sustainability in schools nationwide.
"This award signifies all of the efforts USGBC and our partner organizations have put in to helping schools save money and improve learning conditions, while advancing the goal of creating green schools for everyone within this generation," says Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. "USGBC is honored to be recognized for our work, and thanks NAAEE for highlighting the importance of the Green Ribbon Schools program."
"Kudos to NAAEE for recognizing our collective efforts to help create such a groundbreaking initiative at the U.S. Department of Education," said Sean Miller, director of education at Earth Day Network. "The Green Ribbon Schools program is a win-win scenario for schools looking to save money, improve health and spur 21st century innovation in learning environments nationwide."
Green Ribbon Schools is the first comprehensive and coordinated federal initiative to focus on the intersection of environment, health and education. Unlike other environment-focused programs in the Federal arena, the award acknowledges the work of schools that have reached the highest levels of achievement. This award will drive demand for green school programs and practices as schools across the country seek to become competitive for this award. .
The four organizations and previous award recipients are highlighted on the NAAEE website, http://www.naaee.net/programs/awards.
About North American Association for Environmental Education
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is an international network of environmental educators who infuse communities with high-quality teaching methods to show the positive, non-confrontational ways that people can bring about solutions to environmental challenges. Find out more information about the organization and the conference at www.naaee.net
About Campaign for Environmental Literacy
The Campaign for Environmental Literacy (CEL) is a network of national education and environmental organizations that work to engage the federal government in helping to close the nation's growing environmental literacy gap. CEL has led successful efforts with its lead partners (National Wildlife Federation, Second Nature, Earth Day Network, and U.S. Green Building Council) to restore and grow environmental education funding; authorize the University Sustainability Program at the Department of Education; and introduce the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act and the No Child Left Inside Act ( www.fundee.org).
About Earth Day Network
Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network mobilizes over one billion people worldwide year-round with over 25,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement, through advocacy, education, public policy and consumer campaigns. More than one billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world (www.earthday.org).
About National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is America's largest conservation organization, inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future (www.nwf.org). Over the past 15 years, NWF education programs have helped over 4,000 schools to become greener through NWF's Certified Schoolyard Habitats program and Eco-Schools USA. NWF is the sole U.S. host for the international Eco-Schools program, the largest green school program globally, that is now in 51 nations, reaching 38,000 K-12 schools and over 11 million students. NWF's Eco-Schools USA program launched in November 2009 and is one of America's largest green school programs, currently reaching over 480 schools in 42 states, in an effort to green school buildings, grounds, curricula, and student experiences ( www.ecoschoolsusa.org).
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 79 local affiliates, nearly 16,000 member organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. GDP from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
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