• Hundreds of students from Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties will gather for the Green Schools Tri-County Event at the Detroit Zoo Tuesday, April 23 where they will be recognized for their contributions to sustainability at schools.
• Students from more than 90 Oakland County schools are being honored.
• Some initiatives undertaken by participating schools, including collaborations with companies to produce environmentally friendly yearbooks, collections of old school supplies for reuse, and the creation of pollinator gardens.

Pontiac, Mich. – Students from more than 90 Oakland County schools have been invited to the Detroit Zoo April 23 for the Green Schools Tri-County Event, which will host more than 1,000 students, teachers, and administrators from Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

This event serves as an opportunity for students to celebrate the contributions and participation of their peers, teachers, and administrators in the Michigan Green Schools program, run by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE).

“It’s never too early to encourage people to become champions for the planet through environmental stewardship and sustainable practices,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Getting students involved in Green Schools will lead to a cleaner environment for future generations.”

To attain official designation as a Michigan Green School, students, teachers and administrators from individual school buildings must actively engage in a minimum of 10 activities spanning four categories - recycling, energy, environmental protection, and miscellaneous. Schools undergo an annual re-application process for certification, with designations categorized into Green, Emerald, and Evergreen levels based on the number of activities completed.

Administered each school year by Oakland County's Department of Economic Development and Oakland Schools with support from the Board of Commissioners, the program highlights the unique projects in each school building.

“Oakland County students are stepping up to address climate change and create more resilient communities,” said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair David T. Woodward. “Our green schools are made possible by our students who are all becoming the leaders on sustainability and environmental protection that are critical to our future.”

"This event underscores our collective dedication to fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and responsibility within our educational community," said Oakland Schools' Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson. "By prioritizing sustainability initiatives, our schools enhance the learning environment and empower our students to become conscientious global citizens. I commend every school community member for their dedication to preserving our planet for future generations."

This year's projects and events showcase the diversity of initiatives undertaken by participating schools, including collaborations with companies to produce environmentally friendly yearbooks, collections of old school supplies for reuse, creation of pollinator gardens, river testing, recycling drives for items like socks and sneakers, and crafting graduation honor cords from recycled materials.

“Projects are often unique to each school building,” said Whitney Calio, principal planner for Oakland County Planning and Local Business Development Division.  “The program’s goal is to encourage school-aged children to learn about and adopt good ecological practices, sustainability, and environmental stewardship, making this a part of their everyday lives.”

The Green Schools Tri-County Event underscores the collective commitment of students, educators, and administrators to fostering environmental consciousness and sustainable practices within educational institutions across the region. For more information about the Michigan Green Schools program, click here.