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Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Record Number of Maryland Schools Certified “Green”
68 Maryland schools recognized for environmental education and practices
CATONSVILLE, Md. — A record three dozen Maryland schools from across the state have earned certification as Maryland Green Schools this year, and were honored today for incorporating environmental education into their curriculum and using model best management practices on their campuses. An additional 32 schools who earned re-certification this year were also recognized.

“I want to congratulate all of the schools across the state that have been certified as a Maryland Green School,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This phenomenally successful program is putting Maryland students on the path to environmental stewardship at an early age. As each child develops skills and learns how to manage environmental challenges, it brings the State one step closer to becoming a leader in the fight against global climate change.”

The Maryland Green Schools Award Program was created in 1999. Since then, 201 schools in most of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions have earned the right to hoist the distinctive Green School flag – a map of the state superimposed against a field of green.

To qualify for the Green School Award, a school must meet rigorous criteria through which students develop the knowledge and skills needed to act on current and future environmental challenges. The program uses the environment as a framework for integrating mathematics, the sciences, reading, writing, social studies and the arts.

Maryland Green Schools practice model environmental management techniques such as planting trees to control erosion on school grounds, establishing natural habitats on campus, or conserving water by installing low-flow devices on school sinks. In addition, Green School students get involved in environmental projects in their communities.

While many states have green school programs, most focus on energy conservation.

“Maryland’s holistic program is unique in its attention to changing the curriculum, encouraging staff development, modeling best conservation practices inside and outside the school building, and involving students in conservation projects in their communities,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, one of the special guests at the ceremony, along with Deputy State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Skipp Sanders, and Ed Davis, of Constellation Energy.

The program is managed by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies.

To ensure all Maryland children have an opportunity to experience and connect with their natural world, Governor O’Malley recently signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. This coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners is charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning, connecting communities to parks and public lands and expanding opportunities for structured and unstructured outdoor time in nature for both play and learning.

See the list of Maryland Green Schools below.
 
For more information on the program, visit DNR’s Web site: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/education/greenschools.html
Or, MAEOE: http://www.maeoe.org

Award Recognition – First time certification:

Recertification:

Second time recertification:
May 29, 20088

Contact: Wiley Hall
410-260-8002 office  I  410-507-7526 cell
whall@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov