The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, will be selected to receive this award. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers this award to honor, support and encourage educators who incorporate environmental education in their classrooms and teaching methods.

Buildings account for nearly 40% of the energy consumed in the United States (EIA n.d.), and reducing that energy use offers many benefits to owners, occupants, and communities. The number of zero energy (ZE) buildings—which are so energy efficient that on-site renewable energy (usually solar photovoltaics [PV]) can meet or exceed their annual energy needs—is growing steadily as the hurdles of getting to ZE are better understood and more easily overcome. Thanks to the focus on energy efficiency during planning, design, construction, and operation, these buildings cost less to operate; provide healthy, comfortable, attractive indoor environments; and can be designed and built on conventional building budgets. The number of ZE buildings in the United States continues to grow. Globally, the ZE buildings market is projected to grow to $78.79 billion by 2025 (Grand View Research 2017a), up from $8.04 billion in 2016 (Grand View Research 2017b).

Interest in getting to ZE is particularly keen among U.S. school districts (Torcellini and Pless 2018a; Torcellini and Pless 2018b). In addition to saving money on energy, a significant benefit for many cash-strapped school districts, ZE schools are living laboratories for students, supporting districts’ highest priority—creating robust learning environments. Schools are generally high-profile buildings in communities and tend to be one to three stories, which helps make ZE an achievable goal with on-site renewables (Griffith et al. 2007).

Green Schools National Network (GSNN) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with educators to develop and implement broad-based initiatives and successful strategies designed to foster healthy, sustainable K-12 schools across the United States. Founded in 2008 by principals, superintendents, and teachers, GSNN is devoted to accelerating student achievement through the implementation of green, healthy, and sustainable practices as outlined in our GreenPrint® for Green, Healthy, and Sustainable Schools. GSNN provides K-12 teachers, administrators, leaders, and professionals with evidence-based resources, including publications, a resource library, full-service professional services, and a 12-month calendar of professional development opportunities.

GSNN’s work is grounded in these five core values: 1) Educational innovation is driven by sustainability; 2) Leadership is the key to creating sustainable schools; 3) Student voices and perspectives are part of the solution for a sustainable future; 4) High-quality professional learning opportunities inspire educators to transform their classrooms AND our entire educational system; and 5) Innovation is fostered through collaboration with sustainability change makers.

In light of BP 3514 and AR 3514, and in light of the harmful health impacts associated with exposures to chemicals found in commonly used consumer products, these guidelines are developed to provide fundamental action steps to ensure the: Enhancement of student learning by providing a healthy school environment; Reduction in the amount of hazardous materials and chemicals used, released, and exposed to students and staff; Improvement of Indoor Air Quality in classrooms and other rooms district wide; and Reduction of occupational exposures to chemicals of concern.

Climate Parents is a diverse national movement of parents, grandparents and families mobilizing for clean energy and climate solutions. We work to influence public policy makers and energy providers to take bold steps to protect kids and communities from the health and climate impacts of burning fossil fuels---and to move toward 100% clean energy. Motivated by love for our kids, we’re striving to harness the moral and political force of millions of families for the healthy, equitable and just world all children deserve.

The Advanced Energy Design Guide—Achieving Zero Energy series provides a cost effective approach to achieve advanced levels of energy savings. The four-color Guides offer contractors and designers the tools, including recommendations for practical products and off-the-shelf technology, needed for achieving a zero energy building which is defined as a building that, on an annual basis, draws from outside resources equal or less energy than it provides using on-site renewable energy sources.

Website with toolkits and resources to help schools achieve solar

LAUSD aims to be the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly large urban school district in the Country. In 2007, the Board of Education passed a resolution titled Green LAUSD, which directed the superintendent to establish a "green" accountability system outlining measurable outcomes for sustainability. In response, the Sustainability Initiatives Unit (SIU) was developed in 2008 as a part of the Facilities Services Division

BPS believes that every child deserves access to a great education, and every day we work to design, build and operate our school sites as high-performance spaces where every child can succeed. Vision: every Boston Public Schools student will attend a healthy and sustainable school. Priorities: Zero Waste; Water; Healthy School Environment; Outdoor Classrooms; Climate & Energy

Austin ISD recognizes that it is uniquely poised to balance the needs of the environment, the diverse community we serve, and available financial resources through sustainable practices. The district’s first sustainability staff was hired in 2014 and has since worked with the Austin ISD Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee (ESAC) to develop the Austin ISD Sustainability Plan to achieve the Board’s commitment to: Ensure responsible stewardship of energy, water, and other natural resources; Create healthy environments for teaching and learning; Support sustainability as an economic, environmental, and social priority to be taught and practiced throughout the District.

GreenFutures is a five­-year sustainability plan that was created by District staff and stakeholders with a common goal: to make public schools great. This plan is an offshoot of Action Plan 3.0 and it aims to make every school a green school that will better serve our students and communities.

The Annual Report is an overview of the New York City Department of Education’s (DOE) sustainability programs and partnerships in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17), spanning July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. This report includes information pertaining to energy and climate, waste, water, green infrastructure, and environmental education as well as compliance with local laws and Chancellor’s Regulations.

The Sustainable Gardening Library is an online, easy-to-use, curated collection of resources on how to grow flowers and food in Earth-friendly ways. The documents, images, illustrations, maps, and videos you’ll find here are provided by public gardens, arboreta, and other nonprofit educational organizations; colleges and universities; and government agencies.

The EPA Green Interns Program is an entry-level program for individuals interested in opportunities at EPA Headquarters offices in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as in our Regional offices in major cities throughout the U.S. EPA Green Interns will be part of a one-year program and will join the agency at the GS-7 level. After the one-year program ends, Green Interns are eligible for a seamless conversion into a career-conditional appointment with EPA.

Energize Colleges is an award-winning program that helps build a highly qualified energy and sustainability workforce through paid, hands-on internships and industry-aligned academic learning experiences. SEI partners with colleges and universities to provide opportunities for student sustainability career exploration, and resume and skills development. Through the Energize Colleges program, current college students are empowered to lead meaningful sustainability projects on campus and in the community, both through coursework and paid internships.

Engaging, inspiring, and empowering K-12 students to become environmental leaders in their communities, green their facilities, and conserve resources through hands-on learning.

Delaware Pathways to Green Schools program provides grants, one-on-one support, and expert resources to K-12 schools in Delaware that are committed to becoming healthier, more sustainable, and more energy efficient.

Participating schools work toward achieving certification and national recognition through Eco-Schools USA and the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools award.

Benefits to participating schools include: networking with like-minded educators, opportunities to attend roundtables and workshops, free building energy assessments (for qualifying schools), access to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to help with energy benchmarking, eligibility to apply for an annual mini-grant program, and access to support while implementing sustainability initiatives.

The SMART Schools Challenge is a friendly competition to help Montana's K-12 public schools save money and resources. Schools across Montana compete to see who can save the most money and resources by conserving energy, recycling waste, and implementing green practices that benefit student health. At the Challenge’s conclusion, the top twelve performing schools are rewarded. Four champion schools are selected in each of the three sub-challenges. These winners become certified Montana SMART Schools, receive a $1,000 prize, and statewide recognition from the Lieutenant Governor.

Youth can make a positive difference to prevent food waste, from small initiatives at home to more ambitious efforts that involve the whole community, by using the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s (CEC) new Food Matters Action Kit. Preventing food waste is one of the easiest ways we can all protect our environment every day, fight climate change, and help save our planet. Download the Food Matters Action Kit in English, French, or Spanish.

Schools for Climate Action is a non-partisan, grassroots, youth-adult campaign with a mission to empower schools to speak up for climate action in order to protect current and future generations.

Schools for Climate Action helps school boards, student councils, PTA's, teachers' unions, and school support organizations to pass resolutions that do three things:

Drive a paradigm shift so people recognize climate change as a generational justice issue.
Clearly articulate the political will for all elected leaders, especially Members of Congress, to support or enact common-sense climate policies (such as national carbon pricing, 100 percent clean energy policies, green infrastructure investments, and just transition plans).
Celebrate and expand school district responses to climate change.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) was founded in 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute to complement the Stockholm Water Prize. The SJWP is considered the world’s most prestigious award presented to a high school student for a water-research project. Any high school student in grades 9 through 12, who has reached the age of 15 by August 1 of the competition year and has conducted a water-related science project, is eligible to participate in the competition.

Teams of up to three students may enter. Projects should be aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, or water and wastewater treatment. Projects can explore water issues on local, regional, national, or global issues. It is essential that all projects use a research-oriented approach, which means they must use scientifically accepted methodologies for experimentation, monitoring, and reporting, including statistical analysis. Entries into the SJWP competition will be judged based on six criteria: relevance, creativity, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, and report and presentation.

Note: All students must enter the State SJWP Competition first. National competition entries are open to State winners only.

The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth. The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize young people for protecting our nation’s air, water, land, and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation’s youth.

Each year the PEYA program honors a wide variety of projects developed by young individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school), summer camps, public interest groups, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness. Thousands of young people from all 50 states and the U.S. territories have submitted projects to EPA for consideration. Winning projects in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas, including:

• restoring native habitats
• recycling in schools and communities
• construction of nature preserves
• tree planting
• installing renewable energy projects
• creating videos, skits, and newsletters that focused on environmental issues
• participating in many other creative sustainability efforts

PEYA has two parts — a regional award for Grades K-5 and a regional award for Grades 6-12. Each award-winning project will receive a Presidential plaque. All qualified applicants will receive a certificate honoring them for their efforts to protect human health and the environment.

Originally developed in partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and with ongoing support from Voya Financial, ecoTech Grants are specifically offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities. ecoTech Grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between “the screen” or “the green” and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. ecoTECH grant projects must: •Be based in the U.S. •Integrate the use of technology to address environmental problems (not iPads or other tablets) •Be project-based •Be youth-led •Result in real, demonstrable environmental outcomes ecoTECH grants are available as cash grants of up to $2,500 and support the purchase of materials and other project implementation expenses.

The Captain Planet Foundation’s ecoSolution Grants (previously called “Small Grants”) have been the defining basis of the organization’s work over the last 25 years. The Foundation has funded over 2,100 projects that have impacted 1.2 million youth around the world – actively fulfilling its mission to build the next generation of environmental stewards and change agents. ecoSolution Grants range from $500 – $2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. Visit the website to learn more about eligibility and restrictions and to fill out an application.

Founded in 1986, Youth Service America (YSA) supports a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of meaningful service, learning, and leadership. With half the world’s population under age 25, YSA’s mission is to help all young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues. In 2016, YSA began to focus its assets and outcomes on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Through YSA’s programs, youth lead community change through:

• Awareness – educating others to change behaviors
• Service – using their passion, creativity, and idealism to solve problems through volunteerism
• Advocacy – to change policies and laws
• Philanthropy – generating and donating financial and in-kind support

YSA’s Learning Center has resources and trainings for educators, and the website’s Take Action tab provides ideas for service broken out by cause, audience, and YSA Programs.

NatureBridge provides hands-on, inquiry-based programs for children and teens at national park locations across the country. The organization’s website includes an educators webpage that offers classroom resources organized around five areas of study; tips and resources for incorporating nature into classroom lessons; and professional development workshops that provide skills to create hands-on science and environmental education curricula for students.

Creative Change is a national educational consulting firm based in southeast Michigan. Districts and universities turn to us when their curriculum isn’t working – when achievement is low, inequalities persist, or it’s time for fresh thinking. We provide professional development, curriculum, and consulting to help educators across grades and disciplines reframe instruction around sustainability and social justice.

Our work integrates project- and place-based learning and culturally responsive instruction. Topics include food systems, ecological economics, and multiculturalism. Evaluations show consistent gains in student achievement, especially in underserved communities. Grounded in scholarship, our approach was published by Routledge in August 2018.

Creative Change offers:

• On-site and hybrid professional development combining interdisciplinary content and effective pedagogy.
• Ongoing support and one-on-one coaching for educators.
• A curriculum library featuring exemplary lessons, frameworks, and complete course modules.

Free Online Course

Introduction to Sustainability

Learning about sustainability is easier than ever thanks to “Introduction to Sustainability,” a free online course developed by Kappa Delta Pi in partnership with Creative Change Educational Solutions. The self-paced course introduces sustainability as a context for learning, highlights connections across grades and disciplines, and provides strategies for reframing curriculum to emphasize these connections. With activities, videos, discussions, off-line projects, and guided curriculum design, the course engages adult learners in an integrative and reflective learning experience that emphasizes practical applications. The course is based upon (and