by Rebecca Walker — May 18, 2011—The federal government has launched the Green Ribbon Schools program, a voluntary award program recognizing school efforts toward sustainability.
The program’s creation was announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley.
Modeled after the Blue Ribbon Schools program, which recognizes academic distinction, the Green Ribbon Schools program will be a voluntary award, recognizing schools that are demonstrating excellence — or making notable improvement — toward sustainability. Though still in development, the program will evaluate schools across four categories: environmental education; energy efficiency and resource conservation; healthy operations and maintenance; and community engagement and service learning.
The program is a milestone in collaboration among the Department of Education, EPA and White House CEQ, and will undoubtedly raise the profile of green schools.
For more information, see the Web site.
