Educator+organizations+and+Networks

=Eco-Schools USA= Eco-Schools is an internationally acclaimed program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainable principles throughout their schools and curriculum. The Eco-Schools program was started in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with support by the European Commission. It was identified by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as a model initiative for Education for Sustainable Development in 2003. The Eco-Schools program strives to model environmentally sound practices, provide support for greening the curriculum and enhance science and academic achievement. Additionally, it works to foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship among youth.

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As of October, 2009, Eco-Schools is currently being implemented by 46 delegations in 47 countries around the world, involving 30,000 schools, 8 million students, 400,000 teachers and 4,000 local authorities. In December 2008, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) was granted Eco-School host status for K-12 schools in the United States. This honor — and charge — fits seamlessly with NWF's work to promote environmental education, connect people with nature and raise awareness about the threat to people and wildlife from global warming. Through school-based action teams of students, administrators, educators and community volunteers, Eco-Schools USA combines effective "green" management of the school grounds, the facilities and the curriculum. The Eco-Schools program is designed in a way that: > [|More benefits of being an Eco-School]
 * [|Eco-School Benefits]
 * Eco-Schools USA Blog
 * Ecoacademics Blog
 * NWF to Lead U.S. Eco-Schools Program**
 * Benefits of the Eco-Schools Program:**
 * Improves [|academic performance], especially in science and math
 * Leads to [|financial savings]for schools
 * Decreases the school's carbon footprint through practical solutions that reduce energy and water consumption
 * Reduces school waste and conserves natural resources
 * Encourages student environmental awareness and stewardship
 * Increases parental involvement
 * Helps students and teachers develop stronger relationships with their communities
 * Develops national and international links
 * For questions about Eco-Schools, email eco-schoolsusa@nwf.org**

=**About PLT //GreenSchools!//**=

**PLT’s //GreenSchools!// program has three components:**[[image:http://www2.plt.org/GreenSchools!/Outdoor_classroom.jpg width="300" caption="Outdoor Classroom"]]

 * 1) **Professional Development:** Teachers (and in some cases, student teams) receive training in environmental education and PLT
 * 2) **//GreenSchools!// Investigations:** Students examine their school’s energy use, waste and recycling, water, school site, and environmental quality (such as indoor air quality, school transportation, and use of chemicals)
 * 3) **Service-Learning Projects:** Students design and implement an action project and measure its impact

**Want to Become a PLT GreenSchool?**

 * [|Register to participate in PLT’s //GreenSchools!// program]. You’ll learn more about the program, how to organize a training for your school, and get free access to PLT’s //GreenSchools!// Investigations online
 * Learn about model PLT //GreenSchools!// around the country.

[|Register to Get Started] or [|Login]

 * Welcome to the worldwide movement to re-connect children with nature,** inspired in part by Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Nature is a powerful learning tool that can ignite curiosity.

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Earth’s Birthday Project educates children about the Earth—its beauty, resources and conservation. Our programs engage children in scientific inquiry and empower them to act as informed and responsible citizens. Since Earth’s Birthday Project’s founding in 1989, more than 15 million children have participated in Hands-on Classroom activities and the Big Gift to the Earth. The key to our success is the tens of thousands of teachers who volunteer their resources and time to make EBP activities available to their students.

====The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our people, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in more than 120 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe. ====

http://www.rootsandshoots.org/aboutus
====

==== [|Core Fields of Emphasis »] [|General Programs and Activities »] [|Spotlight on Key Programs »] || =About NGA= For more than 35 years, the National Gardening Association (NGA) has been working to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. As a nonprofit leader in plant-based education, our vision is to make available free educational plant-based materials, grants, and resources that speak to young minds, educators, youth and community organizations, and the general gardening public in five core areas; education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, community development, and home gardening. For more information, visit [|www.garden.org] or [|www.kidsgardening.org].
 * [[image:http://assoc.garden.org/images/about/wheelbarrow-sm.jpg width="158" height="150" caption="About NGA"]]