Opportunities to Get Involved with the EPA Green Ribbon Schools Program

Stay Tuned: 2012 ED-GRS Winners To Be Announced on April 23rd

U.S. Department of Education sent this bulletin at 03/14/2012 10:30 AM EDT

Green Schools News is Coming: 2012 ED-GRS Winners To Be Announced Monday, April 23^rd

On Monday, April 23^rd, following Earth Day, Secretary Duncan will announce winners of the inaugural U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award competition. Be sure to sign up for Green Ribbon Updates, if you haven’t already, to receive the exciting news!

School Days: A Coming of Age Moment for the Green Schools Movement

The Secretary’s address at the Green Schools National Conference to discuss the growing importance of green schools, health and educating students about environmental stewardship is featured in ED’s monthly video journal news round-up. Read the full text of his remarks here.

Investing In Innovation Grants

The U.S. Department of Education has opened the third year of the Investing in Innovation grant competition for districts, groups of schools, and non-profit organizations to improve student results through innovative practices. The deadline for a recommended Intent to Apply is March 15, 2012. This competition invites entities interested in grants of up to $3 million — termed “development grants” — to submit a simplified pre-application through an April 9^th deadline. View additional grants at ED related to ED-GRS here.

EPA Grant for Coordinated School Environmental Health Program Development

EPA announced grants which will provide funding for the implementation of draft voluntary K-12 School Environmental Health Program Guidelines for States, Tribes and Territories, which are also open for public comment. Eligibility for funding is limited to states, tribes and territories. Total funding available is expected to be $750,000 and applications for up to $150,000 will be accepted. The closing date is April 10. For more information or to provide comments on the draft guidelines, visit: www.epa.gov/schools.

White House Champions of Change: Greening Our Cities and Towns

The White House Council on Environmental Quality is accepting nominations for a last set of Champions of Change. This one is for “Greening our Cities and Towns.” These could be for green schools projects, urban parks, transportation initiatives, walkability and a host of other possibilities. The due date for nominations is Friday, March 16^th.

Comment on ED’s Environmental Justice Strategy

ED-GRS plays an important part in ED’s Environmental Justice Strategy, responding to a Presidential Executive Order, which explains how the Department’s policies, programs, and activities aim to increase access for all to healthy, safe and high-achievement promoting environments. The strategy is available for public comment through March 26^th and is one of several initiatives in which ED takes part, including America’s Great Outdoors and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, to make good on the President Obama’s commitment to healthy environments and sustainable economies for all Americans.

Consult Our Expanded Resource Pages with More Grant and Sponsor Listings

You’ll find enhanced grant and sponsor listings, in addition to programs, standards and volunteer resources to support your school greening efforts.

Don’t forget to connect with U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools on Facebook to follow all the latest spring events, including National Environmental Education Week, National Healthy Schools Day, National Bike to School Day and Asthma Awareness Month, in addition to highlights around Earth Day and World Environment Day!