Illinois Green Schools Project

• Gain access to tools and support to navigate your green schools journey, no matter where your school is starting from.
• Students, teachers, and staff work together to create healthier, sustainable learning environments.
• Receive support and guidance from a virtual Green Schools Mentor and connect students to green building careers.
• Connect with a network of Green Schools Champions that are sharing resources, best practices, and challenges in undertaking school sustainability initiatives.
• Earn recognition for green schools work through an annual celebration and create a pathway for recognition in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program.

The Illinois Green Schools Project is open to K-12 schools in Illinois. Schools can participate no matter where they are on their sustainability journey, whether they are just getting started or already have green initiatives in place.

• To participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project your school will complete the registration form (Registration is currently closed and will reopen in the late summer). Each school that registers will need approval to participate from the head of school or principal prior to completing the registration.
• Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as the Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.

• Illinois Green Schools Project participating schools submit a short written report, impact stats, along with a visual representation to share results of the project, not limited to photos, drawings, videos or other media. Photo releases are also required along with the submission. Additional guidelines and resources for the submission process will be updated for the 2021-22 school year.
• These materials will help us celebrate and highlight your school’s accomplishments during the Illinois Green Schools Project Celebration Event in April 2022.

• The Green Team can be existing or new to your school. Student involvement is essential and should include a class or club of students. Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
• The Green Team can include and get support from other Green Schools Champions like school administration, teachers, school nurses, facility managers, custodians, food services, educational support staff, student organizations, parents, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations engaged in the school.