Clark County Green Schools

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Clark County is number one in the state for certified green schools with 83 out of 136 public schools (61%) participating in the Green School Program. This represents 19% of the total 439 schools participating in the program state-wide. Schools in this program have the opportunity to focus on one or all six environmental categories: waste, water, grounds, energy, transportation and healthy buildings. Of the 83 participating Clark County schools, 48 are certified as either: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. To create a financial incentive Clark County linked its stormwater fee reduction program to participation in the Green Schools program. Vancouver School District, the county’s biggest partner, realized a total fee reduction for 2014-2015 of $90,851. This represents 13 of 16 schools Vancouver schools qualifying for a fee reduction. In order to qualify schools must: receive a water certification from the Washington Green Schools program, annually train their staff regarding stormwater maintenance and management, pass an annual stormwater facilities inspection, attend the Clark County Green Schools Summit, and send out a district wide information piece produced by the County. Clark County provides education and technical support to all schools in the county to foster sustainable and environmentally friendly habits in our school communities. Annually the County convenes a green schools summit. Students and teachers gather to learn how they can step up their earth-friendly activities. In addition Clark County hosts two educator sessions to provide educators with an opportunity to and to stay on track to certify. The Green Schools program works to create a cohesive system of environmentally active schools that promote sustainable living and earth-friendly practices to students, teachers and parents. The goal is to train our future environmental leaders to become better environmental stewards and for the schools become more sustainable