BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education announced on Friday the 2019-20 Maryland Green School designees, which grows the Maryland Green School Program to 656 schools strong.

This year’s designees include an additional 46 new Maryland Green Schools, 86 schools with re-certified Maryland Green School status, as well as 18 schools that achieved “sustainable” Maryland Green Schools status for participation in the program for 14 years. The Green School Program award represents a school-wide commitment to environmental literacy that includes staff, students, and the community. Maryland Green Schools are part of a national and international community working to create a more sustainable future.

Maryland Green Schools, in 2019-20, achieved remarkable environmental accomplishments. They saved 648,415 gallons of water; reduced energy use by 2,157,757 kwh; recycled 1,729,076 pounds of material, preventing waste from going to a landfill; created 25,961 square feet of natural habitat; planted 3,203 native plants, including shrubs and trees; and cleaned 86,197 square feet of streambanks to protect the State’s water quality.

Maryland Green Schools students are encouraged to share their passion for the environment while spending time “safer at home.”

“Congratulations to Maryland Green Schools for your hard work protecting and conserving our environmental resources in school communities throughout the State,” said Karen B. Salmon, Ph.D., State Superintendent of Schools. “Even when not physically in school buildings, we can all continue to serve as role models in the community by conserving water and energy, recycling or reusing materials, and not littering.

MAEOE is recognizing awardees through a virtual celebration of videos and hopes to return to Sandy Point State Park for the 12th Annual Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit on May 20, 2021.

The following BCPS schools were recognized:

For “sustainable status,” which recognizes program participation for 14 years:
Jacksonville Elementary School
Norwood Elementary School
Pine Grove Middle School
Pot Spring Elementary School
Sparks Elementary School

For achieving Green School status:
The Chatsworth School
Overlea High School

For recertifying Green School status:
Bear Creek Elementary School
Catonsville Middle School
Fort Garrison Elementary School
Padonia International Elementary School
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School