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.

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 2 and begin implementing your project plan!

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.

Browse Available Resources
For project ideas, information about creating sustainable change at your school, and more, check out our many useful resources!

available resources >>

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 re-complete 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.