The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced several top schools, school districts, lawmakers, and others as recipients of the 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards, an annual recognition in collaboration with the Green Schools National Network. Among this year’s recipients are Boston Public Schools and Amanda Talantis, a school teacher in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The awards, announced at the 2024 Green Schools Conference in Santa Fe, N.M., honor and recognize individuals, schools, campuses, and organizations active in advancing green schools nationwide. The Green Schools Conference brings together everyone involved in creating and advocating for green schools. The three-day event provides a platform for the green schools community that inspires and facilitates the progress of the green schools movement.
Anisa Heming, director at the Center for Green Schools, says, “The individuals and organizations we honor and recognize today have made outstanding progress in advancing green schools. They have empowered and inspired students, teachers, and communities to create and foster greener, more sustainable learning environments. Whether it’s a reduction in emissions or waste, the installation of a new garden or solar panels, or drastic improvements in air quality, the accomplishments made in our schools would not be possible without the steadfast dedication and collective action of those we celebrate today.”
Jennifer Seydel, executive director at the Green Schools National Network, says, “This year’s awardees represent thought leaders and practitioners who are at the forefront of creating sustainable learning environments and opportunities for children across this nation. Their commitment to educating for sustainability is reflected in their commitment to what children learn, where children learn, and how children learn matters in our efforts to create a sustainable and just future for all.”
The awards were presented to organizations or individuals that have worked to move green schools forward in ten categories. Recipients include:
- K–12 School: St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass., adopted a sustainability strategic plan in 2015 and has boldly progressed towards those commitments. The school’s efforts include reducing waste and water consumption by a significant margin, eliminating its carbon emissions from electricity consumption by entering into a green power contract and divesting from fossil fuels. In 2020, St. Mark’s created a climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions even further by 2025 and achieved those goals two years early.
- School System: Boston Public Schools has invested in numerous sustainability practices and programs that have created healthier learning environments and equipped its students with the knowledge and tools to create more sustainable, environmentally conscious communities. The district is led by the sustainability, energy, and environment program and has improved numerous areas, including indoor air quality, drinking water access and significant efficiency upgrades.
- School District Champion: Lisa Randall served as sustainability program coordinator for Santa Fe Public Schools for 13 years and was the founding coordinator of the school district’s sustainability program. She led the district to generate 22 percent of its electricity from solar power and reduce water use by 52 percent, electricity use by 11 percent and natural gas use by 15 percent. Though now retired, Lisa’s work continues to have a significant impact on students, teachers and the district as a whole.
Visit USGBC’s website to view a full list of 2024 Best of Green Schools Award winners.
