ECO-GECKOS

Growing Environmentally Conscious Kids On-Site

To establish an Eco-Action team consisting of students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members to create a sustainable, eco-friendly school environment that continues to promote the reduction of carbon footprints at EARTHS Magnet School through education and integration of factual and valid information into the curriculum.

EARTHS Magnet School Awarded Eco-Schools USA Green Flag
for Exceptional ‘Green’ Achievement

Vienna, VA  (June 11, 2014) – Earths Magnet School was recognized with the Green Flag by National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program for conserving natural resources and integrating environmental education into the curriculum. Earths Magnet School is the 28^th school in the country, to achieve “Green Flag” status.

“We at National Wildlife Federation and Eco-Schools USA are proud of the example set by Earth’s Magnet School for Ventura County, California, other schools, and the country at large,” said Laura Hickey, senior director of Eco-Schools USA. “This award demonstrates not only a commitment to sustainability and environmental literacy for students and faculty, but an appreciation that the best, most effective education transcends the classroom and offers a hands-on approach to learning.”

To be awarded the Green Flag, Earth’s Magnet students and faculty tackled a host of sustainability initiatives that began with forming an Eco-Action team; auditing facility energy efficiency, developing outdoor learning classrooms and certifying as an NWF Schoolyard Habitat™ and addressing biodiversity.  These steps led to a number of projects including a native plant garden, a regional garden that focuses on the four regions of California (coast, mountain, desert, and valley), a pollinator garden, a vegetable and herb garden, and a Rainbow Peace garden.  Earths Magnet is a science magnet school and their focus on science extends to their gardens. Garden lessons have been incorporated into all areas of study. They report that “Students who are involved in the Eco-Schools USA program increase their understanding of the importance of the environment to the preservation of species. They are more articulate about the needs of animals and habitat, they have a greater understanding of the use of energy and the importance of conservation.”  In addition, Earth’s Magnet was one of the first schools engaged in Ventura County through a generous grant made possible by the Amgen Corporation.

National Wildlife Federation was named the US host for the international Eco-Schools program in 2008. The original Eco-Schools (http://www.eco-schools.org/) program is an international network of 50,000 K-12 schools in 60 countries, with 18 million students and 900,000 educators, started in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with support by the European Commission. It was named by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as a model initiative for Education for Sustainable Development in 2003. To learn more about Eco-Schools USA, visit: http://www.nwf.org/eco-schools-usa.aspx.

About Eco-Schools USA:

Eco-Schools USA is a holistic program. It strives to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and culture of a school, including students, teachers, administrative staff, non-teaching staff and parents, as well as the local community. Eco-Schools USA works to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible environmental attitudes and commitments, both at home and in the wider community. Whether you are a teacher, student, administrator or facilities manager, the Eco-Schools USA program can benefit your school and local communities.

About National Wildlife Federation:

National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization inspiring people to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF focuses its education and policy work on connecting children to nature for a nation of happier, healthier kids. For more information: www.nwf.org.