Green Schools

“By fostering the value and the necessity of sustainability to the youth, we are not only teaching sustainable solutions but are also building more mindful citizens for our future.”

The Green Schools program is committed to introducing sustainability education principles to students and educational institutions across our region, catering to various age groups. This mission is accomplished through workshops, volunteer initiatives, and micro-grants aimed at addressing the sustainability needs of school campuses.

Our Sustainability Fundamentals education sessions provide a comprehensive introduction to sustainability concepts for elementary and secondary school students. These 90-minute workshops are facilitated by experts from our network of sustainability professionals. They familiarize students with the goals, principles, and practical aspects of sustainability, covering a diverse range of topics. You can access a detailed curriculum overview here.

Subsequent to these workshops, each teacher receives an email containing an array of resources to support ongoing sustainability education in their classrooms. These resources include complimentary USGBC California memberships for students, teachers, and school staff, as well as free access to the USGBC Learning Lab. The Learning Lab offers more than 580 sustainability lessons suitable for all K-12 grade levels, spanning various subjects, and is available in both English and Spanish.

Since 2021, USGBC California has been actively conducting Sustainability Fundamentals workshops in schools across the greater Los Angeles region, positively impacting over 2,200 K-12 students.

We also encourage you to explore the USGBC Learning Lab Website, where you’ll find valuable resources that are completely FREE for students, educators, and parents. These resources can be utilized for distance learning.

Our Green Schools Program has introduced engaging and interactive hands-on kits that facilitate experiential learning, building upon the concepts covered in our sustainability fundamentals workshop.

These project kits are crafted to encourage student-centered activities. Students are prompted to apply their creativity and the insights gained from the workshops to envision ecosystems, craft art using upcycled materials, and devise urban design plans. For more details about these kits, please continue reading below!

TK through Elementary

Climate Heroes

Climate Heroes Flashcards is a deck of 44 engaging and interactive flashcards, designed to help children learn and retain information about climate change in an enjoyable and memorable way. Setting clear goals for evaluating the success of your climate change training for children is important.

Encouraging eco-friendly actions will provide a solid foundation for children to become responsible and environmentally conscious individuals who actively contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

Building confidence and leadership skills in children during and after climate change training is essential for empowering them to take active roles in environmental advocacy. By implementing these strategies, you can help children not only gain knowledge about climate change but also build the self-assurance and leadership skills needed to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.

1. Sustaining Knowledge
2. Behavioral Change
3. Inspiration and Motivation
4. Mentoring and Role Modeling

This hands-on kit includes resources for teachers on how to incorporate lesson plans, reflections, and meaningful conversations around climate. Teachers will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to USGBC-CA.

Middle and High School

Climate Cooldown

In Climate Cooldown, you and your fellow players are working together to save the planet from ecological destruction. Together you will be faced up against disasters, invest in sustainable power, divest from unsustainable power, heal the land and ocean with climate solutions, and bring down the overall impact of global emissions to ensure that humanity has a livable planet in the future.

While playing students learn to foster a climate mindset. They develop a deep knowledge of climate solutions. Students cultivate individual agency and strengthen community resilience leading to action that has meaningful impact. Social and emotional learning is key to understanding climate solutions, taking autonomy, and staying relatable.

This hands-on kit includes resources for teachers on how to incorporate lesson plans, reflections, and meaningful conversations around climate. Teachers will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to USGBC-CA.

For more information, check out the Climate Cooldown Website.

Interested in contributing to the sustainability of your child’s school? Consider applying for a $2,000 Micro Grant!

Each year, the USGBC California Green Schools Committee invites applications for micro-grants to support green school projects during the school year. Past successful projects have encompassed a range of initiatives, including:

• Planting trees
• Expanding or creating gardens
• Installing green walls
• Painting murals
• Implementing dishwashers to reduce disposable dishware usage
• Providing in-classroom education
• Conducting air quality testing
• Carrying out audits on energy, water, and waste

Your school could be the next beneficiary of these grants! Green Schools Mini Grant Applications will open October 15th for 2025 projects. Starting October 15th,
Submit your application here!

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This year’s Mini Grant recipient is Dorris Place Elementary School Pollinator Garden! Dorris Place will be converting an area adjacent to their playground into a California Native pollinator garden. Students will enjoy the garden during play time and interact with the garden during science classes. Contact our Education Programs Manager, Elizabeth Christy for volunteer opportunities.