More than $130,000 in prizes were awarded to the winners of the Ultimate Green School Makeover competition, sponsored by Global Green USA, a nonprofit environmental group on the Westside. The competition is an attempt to get parents, students and school staff to “green” their schools.
Earlier this week, the 501(c)(3) organization announced that winning schools across the country were given more than $130,000 worth of renovations and technical assistance. Its hope is that other schools, including those here in Southern California, will be inspired by the renovations and take action to green their own space.
The Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas, was named the grand-prize winner. It and the other finalists in the competition came up with simple and creative ideas that could be replicable in other schools.
A proposed project included the retrofitting of light fixtures to allow for energy-efficient bulbs and motion-activated lights to conserve energy. Cost savings from the energy-efficient upgrades would be reinvested back into the education programs.
One school discovered that the district was spending $20,000 in bottled water every year. They suggested switching to reusable bottles and installing a tap filtration system, which would save money.
Another school proposed redirecting storm water into rain gardens filled with native plants to provide educational opportunities in the fields of math, biology, ecology and physics.
“We believe every child deserves a healthy learning environment,” said Matt Petersen, president and CEO of Global Green, which has been involved in establishing environmental sustainability in schools for more than a decade.
“Green schools improve student performance, increase average daily attendance and reduce operating costs, energy and water consumption.”
For more information on the competition or for tips on how to green your school, visit globalgreen.org.
