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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 and launch the program in 2009.
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:
- Integrate a focus on environmental sustainability both inside and outside the classroom
- Take action that results in environmentally responsible facilities
Vision
All Washington schools:
- Practice resource conservation and protection, and toxics reduction.
- Provide a climate where students are engaged as environmental stewards.
Download a Power Point presentation about the program.
Current Status
Fall 2009, Washington Green Schools is open to all schools in Washington state. Over the summer of 2009, the Steering Team worked hard to incorporate Pilot School feedback to restructure the program and add new website features to make the program easier to use for participating schools, and to get the program ready for state-wide participation. See the list of participating pilot schools.
The Steering Team will now focus on additional program enhancements and features. Anticipated new program components to be developed over the next two years include a district-wide program, a Washington Green Schools Summit event for representatives of participating schools, and connections with schools in other countries.
Inspiration
The Steering Team 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
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)
- 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
With the grant provided from Washington State Department of Ecology the Steering Team has gained additional support for the program development and implementation from these consulting firms:
Contact Us
For more information about this program, please contact:
Washington Green Schools Steering Team, Summer 2009
