About Us
Numerous partners have worked together to develop the Washington Green Schools program. In October 2005, an informal organization of solid waste agency educators formed a Steering Team which has met for three years to create the program content and requirements. Advisors and representatives from other agencies have contributed expertise from their specialized fields. A consultant team was hired in 2007 to implement the Washington Green Schools Pilot.
To focus the direction of Washington Green Schools, the Steering Team crafted a Mission and Vision:
Mission
Provide Washington schools with the tools and support needed to:
- Operate environmentally efficient and responsible facilities
- Integrate an environmental focus both inside and outside the classroom
Vision
All Washington schools:
- Practice resource conservation and protection, and toxics reduction; and,
- Provide a climate where students are engaged to become environmental stewards.
The Steering Team also researched six established programs to find the best features for Washington Green Schools. The Steering Team thanks the programs listed below for providing inspiration, ideas, and content:
• Oregon Green Schools
• Eco-Schools of Scotland
• Go Green Initiative
• King County Green Schools
• Ontario EcoSchools (Canada)
• Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools
Current Status
The Washington State Department of Ecology awarded the Steering Team a 2007-2008 Coordinated Prevention Grant to develop and pilot this program. The Washington Green Schools Phase I pilot started in the spring of 2007 and Phase II begins in the fall of 2008. See the list of participating pilot schools.
The Washington Green Schools program will become available in 2009 for all schools in Washington state. Anticipated additions to the program include an enhanced website, a Summit conference for representatives of participating schools, and connections with schools in other countries.
Partners
The Steering Team currently includes:
- Marcia Rutan, Seattle Public Utilities (Team Lead, Co-coordinator)
- Erin Rowland, Clark County Solid Waste (Consultant Contract Manager, Co-coordinator)
- Amber Wells, Thurston County Solid Waste (Website Design Lead)
- Shannon McClelland, WA State Department of Ecology (Program Content Lead)
- Marty Fortin, Association of Washington School Principals, Cispus Learning Center (Liaison with environmental and formal educators)
- Colleen Uuereb, Thurston County Solid Waste (Educational Specialist)
- Ann Murphy, Spokane Regional Solid Waste System (Eastern Washington Lead)
Advisors to the Steering Team include:
- Dale Alekel, King County Solid Waste (King County Green Schools Program Manager)
- Mary Joe de Beck, City of Issaquah (Resource Conservation Specialist)
- Peter Hubbard, Seattle School District teacher (Seattle Green Schools lead, elementary school teacher)
- Karen Messmer, WSU Extension (Resource Conservation Managers Lead)
- Gilda Wheeler, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (K-12 Sustainability Curriculum Design Lead, Curriculum Specialist)
Other agencies and organizations that have provided technical information or support include:
- Kitsap County Public Works
- Northwest, Puget Sound, and Southwest Clean Air Agencies
- Puget Sound Energy
- Seattle School District
- King County Hazardous Waste
- City of Bellingham
- Snohomish County Public Works
- City of Vancouver
- Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
- Tacoma Public Utilities
The consultant team, O’Brien & Company, is responsible for implementing the pilot phase of Washington Green Schools, including school coordination and website design and support.
Contact Us
For more information about this program, please contact:
Kelly Kirkland
Pilot Coordinator
Washington Green Schools
Email: kelly.kirkland(at)wagreenschools.org
Tel: 206-621-8626 (O’Brien & Company)
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