Partnering to Promote Environmental Stewardship within Schools

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Broward County’s Natural Resources Planning and Management Division and the School Board of Broward County have partnered for over 4 years to provide a wide range of initiatives to improve environmental stewardship and sustainability. This partnership includes the development of school campus learning gardens, evaluations of indoor and outdoor water usage; classroom lessons on natural resources, environmental issues, and stewardship; and, teacher and staff trainings to the nation’s sixth largest school district. Through the partnership’s efforts, the Broward County School District achieved certification as the first and largest certified School District Wildlife Habitat in the nation by the National Wildlife Federation in July 2012. The partnership has greatly increased the connection between schools and many local environmental resources and has fostered a new appreciation for the natural environment in a predominantly urban setting. Overall, the partnership’s activities have resulted in a stronger commitment to an environmental stewardship ethic among Broward’s students, teachers, staff, and community members. Over 30,000 students and 600 school staff have received indoor/outdoor lessons and trainings. Over 250 irrigation system evaluations have resulted in the savings of over 212 million gallons of water per year, translating into year-round decreased operational costs and energy savings.