What is the Illinois Green Schools Project?
The Illinois Green Schools Project is a year-long sustainability challenge designed for K-12 schools in Illinois. Participants can form a green team, identify their school's sustainability needs and goals, and reduce their school's impact by designing and implementing a personalized no-to low-cost sustainability project.
Join the Cohort
With the program in its fifth year, now is the time to join the cohort of schools who are implementing sustainability projects with educational tools and mentor guidance.
No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, we want to help you advance down the path to sustainability through projects that reduce your school’s impact and waste of energy, water, and materials.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1. Complete the IGSP Sustainability Workbook
Make your way through the IGSP Sustainability Workbook to discover your school's current footprint, brainstorm possible pathways to efficiency improvements, and create an outline for a low-cost schoolwide sustainability project focused on resource use reduction.
2. Execute a Sustainability Project
Using the data collected and project outline created during Stage One, execute a school-wide sustainability project that addresses multiple pillars of sustainability and engages the school community.
Learn More >>
3. Receive recognition for your work
Share your project outcomes with the IGSP Cohort during our Virtual Celebration Event. We'll recognize schools across each project stage, celebrate achievements with an awards ceremony, and help schools consider sustainability next steps.
2023–2024 Program Timeline
September 9 - November 11
September 9 - October 1
January 31
February 14
May 2
May 22
School Registration Period
Mentor Registration Period
IGSP Sustainability Workbook Due
Mini Grant Award Winners Announced
Project Report Due
End of Year Celebration Event
Mentors are here to help!
We have an amazing network of volunteers excited to help you and your school's green team benchmark your progress and identify the next steps on your path to a more sustainable future! Green School mentors are volunteers with a passion for decarbonizing existing buildings and sharing their professional expertise. Mentors are matched with schools participating in the Illinois Green Schools Project to help them investigate and plan for a sustainability initiative. Mentors play a particularly vital role in reviewing and completing the IGSP Sustainability Workbook in Stage One of the program. Sign up for the program today to get paired with a sustainability professional!
Benefits of joining the cohort
Discover how sustainability benefits all school stakeholders
- Administrators
- Students
- Teachers
- School Board
- Facility Director
- Grounds Supervisor
- Custodians
- Nutrition Staff
- Parents/Community Members
Check out previous projects!
We love to celebrate the work of our schools! All participating schools are featured in project profiles that detail the goals, outcomes, and achievements of their schools year-long endeavors. Read through to gather inspiration and discover how schools across Illinois are taking inspirational steps to make their communities more sustainable and healthier for all!
Earn national recognition for your sustainability work.
Interested in taking sustainability at your school to the next level?