Eco+Schools+USA

Through school-based action teams of students, administrators, educators and community volunteers, Eco-Schools combines effective "green" management of the school grounds, facilities and the curriculum. Schools that are certified in the program undergo a thorough application process and succeed in organizing and implementing a comprehensive assessment of their school. The Eco-Schools USA program is made up of [|seven steps], incorporating [|a variety of environmental pathways]. Once a school has registered and implemented these seven steps, it can apply for an [|Eco-Schools award]. There are three levels of the award system. The first two levels are the [|Bronze] and [|Silver] awards which are self-assessed. The top level is the [|Green Flag award], which must be assessed by an Eco-Schools USA assessor and renewed every two years. A school is considered to be a permanent Eco-School once it has gained its fourth Green Flag. A school can apply for any one of these levels depending on the level of criteria it has met under each of the seven steps. The [|Bronze Award Criteria], [|Silver Award Criteria] and [|Green Flag Award Criteria] , will help to give schools an idea of what stage they have reached and what level of award they could apply for.  [|What are the Seven Steps?]  [|What are the Pathways to Becoming an Eco-School?] NWF has identified a variety of areas of primary focus or "pathways" to help schools become an Eco-School:
 * 1)  [|Establish an Eco-Action Team]
 * 2)  [|Perform an Environmental Review / Audit]
 * 3)  [|Develop an Eco-Action Plan]
 * 4)  [|Monitor and Evaluate Progress]
 * 5)  [|Link to Educational Curriculum]
 * 6)  [|Involve the Entire School and Larger Community]
 * 7)  [|Create an "Eco-Code," or a Mission Statement]
 * [|Energy Pathway] || [|Water Pathway] ||
 * [|Climate Change Pathway] || [|Global Dimensions Pathway] ||
 * [|Transportation Pathway] || [|School Grounds Pathway] ||
 * [|Consumption and Waste Pathway] || [|Healthy Living Pathway] ||
 * [|Healthy Schools Pathway] || Biodiversity Pathway ||
 * [|Sustainable Food Pathway] ||  ||