Green School Resources
RESOURCES
Department of Environmental Services, Opala Learning Center
Provides educational tools for school recycling projects and programs. Holds a Discover Recycling Event for teachers (next event is Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012) with a Tour de Trash of Oahu’s waste processors and H-Power followed by afternoon presentations. The event is free to Oahu educators.
Hawaii Environmental Education Alliance
Provides a searchable list of environmental resources, organizations and schools in Hawaii. Downloadable documents of the Hawaii Environmental Literacy Plan and an Environmental education standards alignment are available.
Kokua Hawaii Foundation
Kokua Hawaii Foundation supports schools’ environmental efforts through ‘AINA In Schools Program, 3R’s School Recycling, Environmental Education Mini Grants, Environmental Field Trips, Kokua Earth Action Projects and Plastic Free Schools. For nutrition and garden docent training contact Kelly Perry ([email: Kelly]).
The Green House
The Green House has workshops for keiki and adults including gardening and composting basics, solar power and making rain barrels. Keiki classes include building butterfly gardens, papermaking and working with worms.
US Green Building Council (USGBC) Hawaii Chapter Green Schools
The goals of the green schools committee are to build alliances that promote green schools, educate elected officials and educate the general public. Committee meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month.
The Kohala Center
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to environmental research, education and conservation. Located on the Big Island, the Kohala Center offers programs focused on energy self-reliance, food self-reliance and ecosystem health. They also support 63 school gardens on the island.
Waikiki Worm Company
Hawaii’s resource for garden and composting worms, vermicast and vermicast tea. Their new store is located at 742 Queen St. Waikiki Worms offers worm workshops for the community as well as schools. Funding for the workshops can be obtained from Opala or Kokua Hawaii Foundation.
Blue Planet Foundation
Kanu Hawaii
National organizations:
The Center for Green Schools
Supported by the US Green Building Council, the Center for Green Schools offers a Green Classroom Professional Certificate for educators, parents and students.
The Center for Ecoliteracy
The website offers a wealth of information to assist teachers as they implement sustainable curriculum, including books, discussion guides, lessons and professional development seminars.
Green Ribbon Schools
Not to be confused with the US DOE program of the same name, this organization offers a 6-step plan to becoming a green ribbon school, by posting activities that correspond to four cornerstones: Eco Campus, Nature Adventure, Health and Fitness and Natural Classroom. Schools can register, record their activities, and be inspired what other schools are doing.
Funding Sources:
Kokua Hawaii Foundation
Environmental Education mini grants of $200/ classroom or $1,000/ school are offered to help teachers advance their environmental education goals. Consider using KHF funds to start a small garden, raise composting worms or set up a classroom workshop. Kokua Hawaii Foundation also offers assistance for environmental field trips.
Opala Recycling Teaching Partners
Offers up to $500 to support schools that intend to establish and implement a sustainable recycling project on campus. Partners include The Green House, Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Waikiki Worms.
Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation
Grants for up to $3,000 are offered through the foundation’s Good Idea Grant Program designed to enhance innovation in the classroom and challenge teachers to think creatively and boldly.
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
Grants are offered to support any facility improvement or landscaping project. Building an outdoor classroom or garden would be appropriate. Grants are for between $2,000 and $5,000.




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