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Health & Fitness

Top Ten Reasons to Make Your School an Eco-School This Earth Day

NWF’s Eco-Schools USA is a holistic program that provides resources and support to help schools take steps towards sustainability on school grounds and within the curriculum.  It is an international program that is run by National Wildlife Federation nationally and coordinated by New Jersey Audubon in New Jersey.  There are more than 100 Eco-Schools registered throughout New Jersey.  Learn why new schools are joining the program every day and why your neighborhood school should be next!

  1.  It’s free!
    Even better than free, Eco-Schools may save your school money! Actions undertaken throughout the program may lead to savings in the school's energy bills and water consumption. The nation's school districts spend more than $6 billion a year on energy. As much as 30 percent of that energy is used either inefficiently or unnecessarily. Just think of the money that your school could save!

  2. It’s voluntary.

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No pressure.  Every school starts where they are and proceeds at their own pace.  Schools network and gain inspiration from each other!

  • It’s a gift.
    Teachers work hard for our kids and put in a lot of hours before and after that school bell rings. Whether they are looking for lesson plans or trying to find new ways to teach old concepts, the Eco-Schools website is the place to go.  Loaded with easily accessible and may I remind you FREE resources for teachers, it is a true gift.   New Jersey has the added benefit of an on the ground staff person through New Jersey Audubon available to help teachers work through Eco-Schools pathways and provide professional learning opportunities.

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  • Students love it.
    Eco-Schools projects get kids out of their seats and into the fresh air for real hands on work that they can take ownership of.  It may be working in the school garden, painting at a nearby pond, or calculating the water conserved by rain barrels, Eco-Schools makes learning fun and lets students direct much of the work. 

  • It Improves Academic Performance
    Research has shown that students of all backgrounds that are engaged in hands-on and real world aspects of environmental education have an increased desire to learn and perform better on most measures of student success. Eco-Schools USA curriculum and activities can help educators to engage students in mathematics, reading, science, and critical thinking. Learn more about the academic benefits of Eco-Schools, and click here for a graphic describing the connection between STEM and our Planet. Environmental education can even be a strategy to prevent students from dropping out of school; click here to read a report about how National Wildlife Federation's environmental education programs can keep students engaged and enrolled.

  • It’s Green.
    Green is the new black right? Everyone is looking for more ways to go green in their homes, their cars, and their diets, why not in our schools and communities? Students (as well as teachers and other school staff) are encouraged to use their new environmental knowledge every day in school and at home. This helps students to see the relevance of what they learn in the classroom and apply it in real life or authentic learning experiences. Eco-Schools engages students in active citizenship, creating environmental stewards for life.

  • It’s lasting.

  • Sustainability is all about endurance and resilience.  Taking steps towards sustainability today will last long into the future, as schools conserve energy, and water, promote healthy sustainable food choices, and instill conservation awareness in students, parents, and staff.

  • It Boosts School Pride.

    We take pride in our schools sports teams, our mascots, our school history.  Eco-Schools gives your school one more thing to be proud of.  Schools can also earn points towards awards that recognize their progress towards sustainability pathways laid out by the program such as energy conservation, water conservation, reducing consumption and waste and climate change education.  The prestigious Green Flag award is the highest award given and can be claimed by less than 20 schools in the nation with three of them in NJ.

  • Did I Mention that Students Love It?

    This deserves a second mention.  What’s not to love? I can’t emphasize this point enough.  Eco-Schools USA makes lessons come to life when students put down the text book and pick up the reins.  Science and math become exciting again when students begin using them to create solutions to real world problems right in their own backyard.  

  • It’s Our Future.  
    After all, these kids are going to inherit the planet right?  Why not begin teaching them now how to appreciate it, take care of it, and enjoy its bounties responsibly.  We are creating the next generation of engineers, politicians, executives, and farmers.  Let’s give them the tools they’ll need to succeed!


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