US Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter Promotes the
International Green Apple Day of Service
On Sept. 29, 2012, participants from all over the world will volunteer to make the schools
and campuses in their communities healthier and more sustainable
Morristown, NJ (September 12, 2012) The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC NJ) is pleased to support the USGBC’s first ever Green Apple Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. For one day, advocates from around the world, including students, teachers, parents, community leaders, elected officials, and green building professionals will come together in support of healthy, sustainable schools by taking action in their communities.
“The Green Apple Day of Service is a perfect platform for empowering communities around the world to take real, measurable steps to improve learning environments,” said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC.
More than 700 million children are enrolled in primary education worldwide, with a rising rate of 90% of school-aged children enrolled in either primary or secondary education. The Center for Green Schools is anticipating at least 2,500 service projects taking place with more than 20,000 volunteers around the world.
This event is about transforming our existing schools. When you look at our educational spaces, you might see outdated buildings in need of repairs, burdened with unsafe toxins, dwindling budgets and outdated resources - in place of opportunity and progress. The Center for Green Schools was established to drive the transformation of all learning environments into safe, engaging and comfortable facilities that enhance kid’s ability to learn and teacher’s ability to teach.
The
www.mygreenapple.org site has
a wide variety of resources, ideas, and how-to information in the form of “activity cards.”
Projects ideas include: creating a raingarden; painting rainbarrels; conducting an energy audit; hosting a recycling drive; or holding a tour of a green school.
You can also sign up to participate, whether starting a project or joining an existing project (searchable by zip code). Remember to mention USGBC New Jersey when you register.
USGBC New Jersey is also a core partner in the groundbreaking
NJ Sustainable Schools Consortium. The goal of the Consortium is “creating healthier schools at lower costs.” The Consortium dovetails perfectly with USGBC National’s Center for Green Schools. In fact, the Consortium helps puts New Jersey at the forefront of greening our schools in the US. The NJ Chapter is also working closely with the Consortium to bring green building training to key school staff. For more info on the NJ Sustainable Schools Consortium:
http://www.eirc.org/website/programs-services/nj-sustainable-schools-consortium/
There will be more details to come on Green Apple Day of Service events sprouting up in New Jersey- but these events rely on you. This is a grassroots campaign, and you decide what will work for your school and your project. Please join us in taking one day- September 29, 2012- to come together in greening New Jersey’s schools.
For more information:
• Visit
www.mygreenapple.org to pledge your support, connect with others who are already taking action and find or start a project near you. Please mention USGBC NJ Chapter in your project description.
• Info and ideas, and a letter from USGBC NJ Executive Director Florence Block can be found
here.
• For more information or to learn how to fund a service project, contact Emily Davis, Capacity Organizer, Green Apple Day of Service, Center for Green Schools at
edavis@usgbc.org
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About the U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
USGBC is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group formed in 1993. New Jersey membership exceeds 1400 Corporations inclusive of USGBC National and the USGBC New Jersey Chapter. There are over 3,000 LEED® accredited professionals in NJ and over 400 LEED® registered and 100 certified projects in New Jersey,
plus over 900 certified LEED Homes.
About The Center for Green Schools at USGBC
The Center for Green Schools at USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From the kindergartner entering the classroom, to the Ph.D. student researching in a lab, the Center provides the resources and support to elevate dialogue, accelerate policy and institute innovation toward green schools and campuses. High-performing schools result in high-performing students, and the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. centerforgreenschools.org
About the U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter
USGBC NJ is a non-profit organization focused solely on advancing green building and sustainable communities. The mission of USGBC-NJ is to transform NJ’s built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable, and healthy. We accomplish our mission through education, advocacy, and collaboration. As New Jersey’s green building advocate and education resource, USGBC NJ provides over 150 educational programs, events, green building tours, research studies, and advocacy initiatives each year, through its three-branch, state-wide network. Currently, USGBC NJ is providing grant-funded green building education to NJ’s veterans and unemployed.
For 10 years USGBC NJ has served as the meeting ground, catalyst, and propeller for sustainability-minded individuals in building-related professions. Through the NJ Chapter, LEED and green building in general, have found fertile ground in New Jersey. The New Jersey Chapter’s 1,100 individual members represent the entire spectrum of New Jersey’s green building community.
