Michigan Green Schools Program

Start them young. That's the thought here, at least, with the Michigan Green Schools Initiative, an environmental education initiative. With a push toward more energy saving, environmentally-friendly, and green living ideas and practices, well, it just makes sense to get the kiddies involved early. After all, they are the future, as Whitney Houston so aptly sang in 1986.

The program began as a grassroots initiative at Hartland High School in Livingston County in 2005. It eventually grew into a state wide program signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm in May of 2006. Since then and as of the 2007-2008 school year the program has grown to encompass 11 counties with 124 schools participating.

And here, in Oakland County, Michigan Green Schools has been something of a hit. Out of all the counties in the state the OC has had far and away the most designated "green" schools with 45 in the last school year. In March, when all the applications are submitted, the county is expecting to lead the pack again with somewhere between 50 and 60 schools, says Whitney Calio, the environmental program coordinator for the Oakland County Waste Resource Management department.

Oakland County got involved with this program last school year with those inaugural 45 schools. A recognition ceremony was held where each Green School was presented with a certificate and official green school flag.

For designation a public or private school must participate in at least 10 of a 20 point list of environmental and energy saving activities. The school can go one step further, however, participating in 15 or more to apply for the Michigan Emerald School designation. In addition to the certificate signed by Granholm and a green school flag, Calio says that the schools have also seen a savings in cost due to their energy conserving efforts.

Within Oakland County, the Waste Resource Management (WRM) has been the agency managing the program, reviewing and approving the applications and WRM and Calio are again working with Oakland Schools to promote the program this year.

Some of the 20 points include basic recycling of paper and plastic, as well as batteries, cell phones, and printer cartridges, or reusing old magazines for projects. Some more advanced points are participating in energy saving activities such as learning about solar energy and learning about home energy conservation methods. A full list of the 20 points can be found here.

Schools from kindergarten to seniors can participate in the program. However, Calio says that there are more elementary schools involved but only because there are so many. In high schools the kids take more of a lead effort through ecology clubs whereas the elementary and some of the middle schoolers are lead by teachers and faculty. Regardless of the school or the age of the student, the program has been a success, Calio says.

"The students and teachers are very enthusiastic about program," she says. "It's been really positive for everybody. And the good thing is that the students take these practices home and do them there."

The applications for this school year are due to Oakland County Waste Resource Management by March 17, 2009.  Schools working toward green school designation are asked to contact the Waste Resource Management office at wrmd@oakgov.com.  For more information, visit the Web site at www.oakgov.com/waste/green_schools.  There is also a new statewide Web site at www.michigangreenschools.us.