Author Archives: Andrea Falken
Local School Communities Get Outdoors at Urban Waters Sites
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a 13 agency initiative, aims to stimulate local economies, create jobs, improve quality of life, and protect health by revitalizing urban waterways and the communities around them, focusing on under-served urban communities. At Partnership sites … Continue reading
Colleges and Universities Lead the Way in Sustainability
Over the past year, ED has highlighted the exemplary efforts of K-12 schools to reduce environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental and sustainability education. However, healthy, safe, cost-efficient facilities, practices and learning are not … Continue reading
School Lighting Upgrades Save Money, Allowing Schools to Make Health and Achievement Promoting Repairs
America’s schools spend more than $8 billion each year on energy – more than is spent on textbooks and computers combined. About 26 percent of electricity consumed by a typical school is for lighting alone. Often, even more is spent … Continue reading
ED-Green Ribbon Schools Gets a Facelift for 2012-2013
Now that the 2012 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are recognized, the Department has refined the selection guidance it provides to state nominating authorities to make for a smoother competition for states and schools in the second year. … Continue reading
ED-Green Ribbon Schools Prove that Every Month is Right for Getting Outdoors
President Obama designated June Great Outdoors Month to encourage Americans to take advantage of our rich, natural and cultural outdoor resources while being active outdoors. Fortunately, the first group of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools provides us many … Continue reading
First U.S Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Recognized
Today marked another historic milestone for the green schools movement, as the 78 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools announced during Earth Week were recognized at a national ceremony in Washington, DC. Secretary Arne Duncan joined EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, White House … Continue reading
A Green Revolution for All
Two weeks from today, Secretary Duncan will take the stage at the Green Schools National Conference in Denver, providing a high note at what is fast becoming the largest annual meeting of the green schools movement. The Secretary and other … Continue reading
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools: For an Education Built to Last
Last week President Obama asked us to work together to create an America built to last — one that thrives on innovation, collaboration, affordable education and spending within our means. As part of this effort, the U.S. Department of Education … Continue reading
An Open Letter to Potential Applicants to the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program
Dear School, Thank you for your enthusiasm regarding the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. The intent of this new award is to encourage as many schools as possible to look at environmental impact, health and education in new … Continue reading
Schools Go Green – and Save Green – with Help from Private, Foundation and Nonprofit Sectors
Since Secretary Arne Duncan announced the Green Ribbon Schools effort this past September, program staff have learned about a wide range of free resources available to help schools go green and to save green, too. Green schools are taking advantage … Continue reading