The Center for Green Schools Higher Education Manager Jaime Van Mourik is featured in this month’s Facilities Manager Magazine, a publication from APPA-Leadership in Educational Facilities, the the gathering place for those of us engaged in the field of educational facilities management, and dedicated to the ongoing evolution of its professionals into influential leaders in education. Jaime’s article, "Green Schools for Everyone within This Generation” discusses how to design, construct and operate our schools and campus buildings to allow educational facilities to enhance student learning experiences.

Congratulations to the Center for Green Schools at USGBC Director Rachel Gutter, who was featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Magazine as one of the publication’s Eco-Award Winners!

Last week, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced his support of the USGBC-Georgia (GA) 'High Performance, Healthy Schools' Program during a press conference at the 7th Annual CEFGA Career Expo held at the Georgia International Convention Center. His announcement kicked off the 'Green YOUR School' Competition for High School, Career Academy and Technical College student teams, sponsored by USGBC-GA and CEFGA.

“In these challenging times, school systems across the state are embracing innovative ideas to reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn,” said Lt. Governor Cagle, “I’m proud to launch the Green YOUR School contest to provide ...

Innovation in Green Building Award Now Accepting Applications

New for 2011! The Innovation in Green Building Award is presented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. This award recognizes a leading college or university that is transforming the built environment and creating living laboratories for sustainability. The application must include at least one LEED certified building in its analysis and would ideally examine how the college or university is using LEED as a tool for campus greening. Special emphasis is placed on innovative ...

By Rachel Gutter

This month, I had the incredible honor of attending The Garrison Institute’s Climate, Mind and Behavior (CMB) Symposium. I was invited by one of our Center for Green Schools Advisory Board members, Jonathan Rose, who is the head of Jonathan Rose Companies, the co-founder of the Garrison Institute, and an inspiring human being. The Institute is an old monastery built by Capuchin monks right on the Hudson River. Though relatively simple in design, it is spectacularly beautiful, especially the sanctuary where they hosted many of the sessions. Every morning there was optional meditation and Thai Chi, ...

Charles Saylors

President, National PTA

I’m asking you to join the Coalition for Green Schools not just as the President of the National PTA, but also as a parent, school board trustee and construction professional. In each of these roles I continue to see all sides of the ongoing debate about the need for better school buildings. Our children deserve a safe, secure, healthy and technologically equal learning environment.

When the National PTA joined the Executive Committee of the Coalition for Green Schools, I was excited to join a forum with some of the leading national educational and environmental organizations ...

 Nathaniel Allen

Associate, Schools Advocacy

U.S. Green Building Council

Since the start of the new year, legislators at all levels of government from across the country have been busy attending and hosting big events to advance green schools. State legislators in the 50 for 50 Green Schools Caucus Initiative have been particularly active. Here are the highlights:

In South Carolina, State Senators John Courson and Phil Leventis worked with the Conservation Voters of South Carolina and their local USGBC Chapter to host a briefing titled “Creating Jobs through Conservation,” featuring testimony about the success of green school initiatives in ...