Knowledge is Power
Actions are Forever
The National Wildlife Federation’s
Eco-Schools USA
THE FACTS
Schools are the largest energy consumers in many cities. What
percent energy use do you think is wasted by schools?
A. 15%
B. 30%
C. 45%
Schools can SIGNIFICANTLY cut energy use, resulting in financial
savings and a reduced environmental impact.
Basic water efficiency programs can reduce a school’s water use by
what percent?
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 30%
Eco-Schools can help schools improve irrigation methods, reduce
water runoff, consume fresh water more efficiently, and reuse water to
a greater extent.
THE FACTS
Schools are joining the movement to SOLVE this urgent environmental
issue. Not only are students reducing their _____________________,
A. lunch accounts
B. recess time
C. carbon footprints
but their learning math, science, and technology skills.
Did you know that what we use at school has its own life cycle?
Cutting back on what we consume, reducing packaging and transport
distance, and recycling all translate into smaller amounts of garbage
being hauled away.
To reduce packaging means…
A. buying snack packs of my favorite foods-each one in its own little
package.
B. finding long lasting containers to bring my lunch and drinks in
instead of single or one time use packages.
C. bringing a plastic bottle to school and throwing it away or recycling
it .
THE FACTS
Schools bring together a wide range of people and ideas. We can learn
so much from people who are from or who have lived in other places
around the world.
Together students learn while helping the planet, how their local
actions “ripple” out into the wider world.
Did you know you and your family have a TRAVEL FOOTPRINT?
Eco-Schools can help raise awareness and generate SUSTAINABLE
solutions that will…
A. reduce fuel consumption by vehicles.
B. reduce pollution by vehicles.
C. reduce how often you travel in your vehicle.
D. All of the above
THE FACTS
Think for a minute…
How long do I spend outside besides recess and PE, during the school
day?
If the answer is none then you’re missing out on health benefits.
And teachers listen up…
studies show that outdoor time during school hours leads to
higher test scores and higher overall achievement in the classroom!
Do you have a school garden?
Would you like to develop a school garden?
Did you know you can grow your brain filing cabinets by being a part of
an outdoor learning classroom?
In an outdoor garden I can learn…
A. the chemical makeup of the soil.
B. the life cycle of various insects.
C. how to measure perimeter and area of a plot.
YOU CAN LEARN ALL OF THAT AND MORE IN AN OUTDOOR GARDEN!
Live In The City…no Problem! Container And Raised Bed Gardens Are Just For
You – What About A Roof Top Garden?
Watch this school in Australia work toward
a sustainable campus and community!
Change the World!
So are you ready to be an Eco-School?
STEP 1
Have your teacher or green club
sponsor register the school at…
www.eco-schoolsusa.org
STEP 2
Follow the 7-step framework
1. Form an Eco-Action Team
2. Do one or more environmental
audits.
3. Create an Eco-Action Plan
4. Monitor and Evaluate
5. Link your work to what you are
learning in class.
6. Involve the community
7. Create an Eco-Action Code
STEP 3
BE RECOGNIZED!
Bronze Award – follow the Seven Steps
and complete one pathway.
Silver Award – keep up with your Seven
Steps and the awesome work you’ve
started and now work on the energy or
another pathway.
GREEN FLAG –
for the ultimate
award you must
keep up your
Seven Steps and
complete a total
of 3 pathways,
one of which must be energy.
No matter how BIG
No matter how small
SO
REMEMBER
YOU CAN make a difference
For One
For All