U.S. Dept. Of Education Recognizes Spring-Ford School District, Shippensburg University As Green Ribbon Schools

On April 22, the Wolf Administration announced that Spring-Ford Area School District in Montgomery County and Shippensburg University in Cumberland County have been named Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education in recognition of their environmental sustainability efforts.

“Pennsylvania’s schools play a critical role in helping to preserve and protect the world around us by encouraging students to learn and actively engage in environmental sustainability practices,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega. “Green Ribbon Schools exemplify the importance of this mission and demonstrate a commitment to promoting environmental awareness in the classroom.”

Spring-Ford Area School District was awarded the School District Sustainability Award and Shippensburg University was awarded the Postsecondary Sustainability Award. 

Nationally, 27 schools, five districts, and four postsecondary institutions were honored. The full list of honorees can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.

Both schools will also receive recognition through the Commonwealth’s Pathways to Green Schools Program.

“Our future depends on understanding and protecting our environment, and these schools exemplify a stellar commitment,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “The efforts of these schools prove that reducing our environmental impacts, educating the next generation to be good stewards of our natural resources, and saving money are all interconnected.”

Since 2011, the Green Ribbon Schools Program has nominated schools, districts, and institutions of higher education across the country for their dedication to reducing environmental impact and cost, improving health and wellness of schools, and providing environmental education to students.

“We applaud these schools for their commitment to sustainability and positive environmental stewardship,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Schools are where our young people – the next generation of conservationists – learn and grow, which is why it is so important to have green schools like these leading by example here in Pennsylvania.”

PDE and the U.S. Department of Education select and announce awardees in the spring of each year. 

Awardees show progress in the following areas: reducing environmental impacts, such as waste, water, greenhouse gases, and transportation; improving health and wellness with consideration to air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, school nutrition, and outdoor physical activity; and offering effective environmental and sustainability education that emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning, civic engagement, STEM connections, and green career preparation.

For more information on U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools webpage and Pennsylvania’s Pathways to Green Schools Program webpage.

Related Article:

-- DEP Announces Award Of $632,897 In Environmental Education Grants To Support 63 Projects Across The State 

[Posted: April 22, 2022]  PA Environment Digest