Paul WojoskiPaul WojoskiSC DHEC – Bureau of Air QualitySC DHEC – Bureau of Air Quality

Take Action Today WorkshopTake Action Today WorkshopJune 24, 2009June 24, 2009

Starting a Green TeamGreen TeamAt School

Why focus on schools?

• “One in five people who live in this country—55 million children, teachers, administrators, nurses and janitors—spend their days in K–12 schools.” 1

• 85% of U.S. adults have completed high school.2

• What are we teaching future generations?

• What do we want to teach them?

1. The Little Green Schoolhouse: Thinking Big About Ecological Sustainability, Children’s Environmental Health, and K-12 Education in the USA. ( www.greenschools.net )

2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 ( www.census.gov )

What is a Green Team?

• A group or committee of interested participants that work toward more sustainable operating practice.

How do we start a Green Team at our school?

Step 1: Create “Buy-In”

• Encourage School Administrators to make “going green” a priority

• Meet with principals, administrators, PTSO, district representatives

• Create a policy statement

The Timing is Right

• Climate Change• Budget Issues• State Legislation• Federal Stimulus Money

48-52-620SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST PREPARE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLANS IN ORDER TO MEET AN ENERGY CONSUMPTION REDUCTION GOAL OF 1 PERCENT PER YEAR TO ACHIEVE 20 PERCENT BY 2020, USING 2000 AS A BASELINE YEAR.

Step 2: Advertise your Team

• Set First Meeting – Have the principal/administrator make an announcement.

• Let everyone know how they can get involved

• Kick-off Party

Step 3: First Meeting• Form your team• Include participants

for many areas:– Parents, custodial

staff, students, administrators, teachers…

• Have Fun: “Brand” your team

Step 4: First Meeting • Assess and Baseline: What is your

school already doing?• Brainstorm: Where are there

opportunities to improve at your school?– Building Modifications– Behavioral Changes– Policy Changes

• Make a list

So many ideas!• Collect recyclables at school, etc.• Green your cleaning• Plant edible gardens, native plants, xeroscape• B2 – Anti-idling policies• Compost lunch scraps• Reduce waste streams• Light and computer policies to save energy• Double-sided printing; paper reuse• Green Tips in school newsletters• Water conservation reminders in restrooms

Get Students Involved!• Integrate projects into

curriculum:– Art projects with recycled

materials– Science/Math projects on

energy consumption– Social Studies projects on

environmental issues– Field Trips

Step 5: Set Some Easy Goals

• High likelihood of success

• Momentum will help the new team succeed

Step 6: Celebrate Success!• Advertise your success

– Websites, newsletters, PTSO meetings, bulletin boards, press releases

• Reward best/most creative ideas• Join Green Steps Schools!

Green Team Resources for Schools• Green Steps

– www.greenstepschools.com • EPA’s ENERGY STAR

– www.energystar.gov – Become a partner!• SC Energy Office

– www.energy.sc.gov• Green Schools Initiative

– www.greenschools.net

Green Teams at Schools

Questions?

Comments?

Paul WojoskiSC DHEC – Air Qualitywojoskpa@dhec.sc.gov

803-898-4087Rosewood Community Garden “Green Team” at work!