Well, 2012 sure is shaping up to be an exciting year here at GREENGUARD. As you probably know, we’ve been on a public mission for the last few years to raise awareness about the health benefits of improving IAQ in our nation’s schools. In advancing that mission into the new year, we’re excited to tell you about a noteworthy event that’s taking place next month in Denver, Co.

It’s called the Green Schools National Conference—now in its second year—and the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is proud to be its Emerald Sponsor. The event will draw school teachers, administrators, parents, students, facility managers, and architects from around the country, as well as others with an interest in creating more healthful, more productive, more environmentally responsible schools, for a series of thought-provoking, solutions-oriented workshops.

In the spirit of nurturing an ongoing dialogue,we invited Carmelle Druchniak of the Green Schools National Network (formerly the Green Charter Schools Network), the organization behind the conference, to be a guest blogger for this post:

Next month’s gathering of K-12 school administrators, teachers, students, parents, architects, designers, and facility managers at the 2^nd annual Green Schools National Conference will provide plenty of assistance to schools hoping to join this national movement.

According to an article on green consumerism that cites Forrester Research, 41% of consumers are either interested in or already purchasing products and services from “green” companies. Carbon offset websites are seeing increased traffic, hybrid car purchase rates are up, and the number of organic food purchases is climbing.

People are becoming more aware of their impact on the planet—and just as today’s consumers are more “eco-aware,” many schools are also “greening” themselves (or at least learning more about what “green” really means). What does a school recycling program entail? What does an environmental education curriculum look like? What makes a school building energy-efficient? How can a school improve its indoor air quality?

“Until recently, those advocating for the ‘greening’ of our schools were lone, individual educators who hadn’t even found each other, let alone a collective voice,” says Jim McGrath, director of the Green Schools National Network. “This conference will show that the green school effort has become a national movement. We’ve arrived.”

McGrath points out that there are various shades of green. Some schools have jumped into the deep end of enviro-awareness, while others remain in the shallows, needing advice, direction, and encouragement.  After all, learning how to integrate environmental education, adopt green practices, and develop other green initiatives can take time and planning. It also requires the involvement of parents, students, teachers, administrators, maintenance workers, architects, and members of the greater community.

“Whether a school is already ‘green’ or just getting started, the Green Schools National Conference will offer practical strategies and solutions,” he adds. “We’ll provide a roadmap for our conferees.”

Conference Highlights

The event opens with a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who will rally support for his department’s Green Ribbon Schools program.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute will also play a pivotal role at the conference. In addition to being a major sponsor and exhibitor, GREENGUARD will present the following:

• Breathe Easy:  Smarter Product Choices for Better Indoor Air Quality (Presenter: Dr. Marilyn Black, GREENGUARD’s founder)

• Green Procurement: Developing an Effective Environmentally Preferably Purchasing Program (Presenter: Mark Rossolo, GREENGUARD’s Director of Public Affairs)

• The Dog Ate My Data – Reducing Ecolabel Exaggeration in Purchasing (Presenter: Mark Rossolo, along with Mark Petruzzi of Green Seal)

Dr. Black will also participate in “Connecting Green & Healthy Schools with Student Achievement,” a unique, 3 to 4-hour-long facilitated discussion with key industry leaders—it’s what we’re calling a Solutions Summit—during which time participants will define and set goals.

Be sure to register for the 2012 GSNC online BEFORE rates go up Feb 1.  (Note: If you are registering more than five people from the same organization, call Conference Registration Services at 1-800-280-6218 to facilitate the registration process.) For conference updates, join the email list or follow 2012 GSNC on Facebook and Twitter.

We look forward to seeing you Feb. 27-29 in Denver!

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© 2012 The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

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