FCPS Get2Green

About FCPS Get2Green

FCPS Get2Green is a set of internal and external partnerships and resources aimed at producing a cadre of environmental stewards as mandated by School Achievement Goal 3.

Get2Green will promote environmental education and environmental action across disciplines K-12 through three main foci:

Professional development of teachers
Technical support for schools that wish to participate in a project or become an Eco-school
Building relationships around environmental stewardship that will help pyramids and clusters develop successful, student driven programs

FCPS has formally partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Eco-Schools USA program to assist with these endeavors.

students working in garden student working in garden

About Eco-School USA

The Eco-Schools USA program is based upon student driven action teams that work on issues such as schoolyard wildlife habitat, recycling, composting, energy conservation, and other environment and health related topics. In a effort to promote environmental action among our students, FCPS sees the Eco-Schools USA program as an excellent framework to facilitate this at any school. Eco-Schools USA provides sample action materials, curriculum and background information on its website and personnel are available to lend expertise to FCPS teacher trainings and meetings. NWF has generously had FCPS use its Reston facilities to house our Kid’s Inquiry Conference and has had us there for several other events. NWF is keeping us connected with other school districts across the country that are attempting similar projects and will assist us with cutting edge ideas in areas such as the assessment of environmental education activities.

Eco-Schools in FCPS

How many schools are involved?

FCPS has approximately 50 schools that are in some stage of the Eco-School process, and another 30-40 schools asking for technical assistance to get involved.

What are these schools doing?

Building wildlife habitat and edible gardens
Energy audits in their schools
Promoting energy conservation methods to reduce their school’s energy bills and carbon footprint
Creating composting programs to reduce cafeteria waste streams
Setting up whole school recycling programs
Langley High School is initiating a pilot program for all high schools to recycle on the playing fields