Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the May 2008 issue
Statewide Green Schools Challenge Encourages Students to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
To mark Earth Day 2008, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Education announced a new Green Schools Challenge to bolster recycling in every school across the state. The year-long competition will determine what schools can do to:
- Recycle paper, metal, glass and other materials
- Buy and promote recycled products and reuse packaging
- Reduce waste and toxics
- Conserve water and energy
- Jump start composting programs
All public and private elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools that comply with their local recycling laws or are in compliance by Feb. 1, 2009 are eligible to apply. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including some based on school size. The tentative goal is to announce winners on Earth Day 2009.
No Child Left Inside
Children are encouraged to connect to the outdoors as part of DEC's "No Child Left Inside" campaign
The Green Schools Challenge is just the latest in DEC's "No Child Left Inside" campaign, including the recent launch of Conservationist for Kids, a magazine specially designed for fourth-grade-level students to connect to the outdoors. "Young people have often led the way for environmental change in America," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "It's crucial to connect them to the natural world and issues surrounding it because they are the environmental stewards of the future. This contest is one way to do that. We look forward to hearing about innovative ideas from New York schools."
For more information about the competition and for an application, go to the "Green Schools" page on DEC's website.
