Illinois Green Schools Project
About the Program
EXPLORE THE IGSP PROGRAM TIMELINE
THROUGH THREE STAGES
STAGE ONE
IGSP Sustainability Workbook
Timeline: September 9 - January 31
The key to successful and impactful sustainability work is planning and design. Make your way through the School Sustainability Workbook to facilitate informed conversations with your green team and school stakeholders about your school's needs, goals, and priorities.
Your assigned Green Schools Mentor is here to help you complete the workbook and create your project outline.
Incentives for completing Stage One:
- Learn more about building sustainability and your school's infrastructure and operations.
- Receive personal assistance from your assigned Green Schools Mentor.
- Discover funding sources and apply for the IGSP Mini Grant.
- Develop a sustainability action plan for your school.
IGSP SUSTAINABILITY WORKBOOK
Chapter 1. Self-Assessment
Assemble a network of school stakeholders like teachers, facilities managers, administrators, and more to discuss sustainability goals and take stock of the school's current resources and infrastructure.
Chapter 2. Choose a Path
Narrow the focus of your sustainability project by execute one of our Walkthrough Audit Guides to learn more about your school's infrastructure and operations. You can choose from three options: Water, Waste, or Energy.
Chapter 3. Project Outline
Utilize IGSP's resources and Green Schools Mentorship to design a project outline. Projects should be low-cost, low-barrier, and target sustainability goals across the Three Pillars of Sustainability.
Gain full access to the Workbook by signing up as an IGSP school!
The IGSP Workbook is available to enrolled participants and is due 1/20/2025.
Once you've finished all three chapters, submit your completed resources to advance to Stage Two and begin implementing your project plan!
STAGE TWO
Execute a sustainability project
Timeline: January 31 - May 2
Bring your project to life! Utilizing the project outline developed in Stage 1, recruit volunteers, divvy up tasks, and execute your project deliverables. You'll receive regular check-ins from Illinois Green Staff and are welcome to schedule one-on-one meetings to assist with any challenges you might run into.
Incentives for completing Stage 2:
- Project Profile
- Receive a one-page case study describing your work and outcomes. See examples here.
- Certificate of Accomplishment
- A printed certificate mailed to your school to display your accomplishments with your community.
- Celebration Opportunity
- An invitation to our virtual end of year celebration and a chance to showcase your project. Winning schools receive sustainably crafted trophies!
- Marketing Kit
- A social media kit to help you promote your own work to your communities and local recognition outlets.
Submit an end of year project report by to advance to Stage 3 of the program.
DON'T SWEAT IT!
If you are unable to complete project work by the report deadline, that's okay! Share a quick project update and continue working. You can always extend project work into the next year.
STAGE THREE
Receive recognition for your work
Timeline: May 2 - May 22
CELEBRATE & PROMOTE!
Schools that submit a project report at the end of the year will be invited to celebrate their hard work with the IGSP Cohort during our Celebration Event and will receive a one-page project profile created by Illinois Green to highlight and promote their accomplishments. Submitted project reports will also be reviewed by a panel of judges for the opportunity to win a prize and present their work during the Celebration Event.
BUILD MOMENTUM, YEAR AFTER YEAR!
Participate each year to recomplete the self-assessment and discover how your project work has affected your baseline! Schools that make considerable advancements in sustainability will be urged to apply for national recognition through the Green Ribbon program
Read through
the Project Profiles
from last year's cohort.
PURSUE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
TAKE THINGS FARTHER WITH GREEN RIBBON!
The US Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program (ED-GRS) recognizes schools, districts, and higher education institutions with active programs, actions, and dedication to sustainability. Working in partnership, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and Illinois Green Alliance administer this program for Illinois.
Have additional questions?
email us at greenschools@illinoisgreenalliance.org