Programs and Events

Hands on Earth Day 2007

Greening schools across the country

Earth Day Network is committed to school greening as the global issues of climate change and energy conservation become more urgent. Our hands-on approach not only helps the environment but also increases student performance, improves teacher retention and saves money and resources. EDN's school greening efforts improve both the physical and learning environments, while also encouraging action against climate change and other environmental problems.

Community volunteers work on a landscaping project outside of Vernon Elementary School in Portland, Oregon as part of Hands On
Earth Day 2007.

Schools around the country were treated to a "green makeover" on Earth Day 2007. These makeovers signaled the launch of Hands On Earth Day, an Earth Day Network and Hands On Network partnership created to mobilize students, educators, parents, and communities to green their schools, in addition to fostering citizen action on energy conservation and global warming issues.

A student and adult volunteer spread mulch in a newly-planted garden project at St. Augustine Middle School in Buffalo, New York for Hands On Earth Day 2007.

Seven schools in Atlanta, Buffalo, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Portland, received healthier and sustainable learning environments. Hands on Earth Day enlisted the support of hundreds of volunteers from the surrounding communities and schools. The greening projects included: energy audits; refurbishment of existing buildings; installation of energy-efficient products, bike racks and recycling containers; as well as creation of gardens, eco-murals and new outdoor classroom space.

Hands On Earth Day focused special attention on the James M. Singleton Charter Middle School and the McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts, two New Orleans schools still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

James M. Singleton Charter Middle School

As one of the few schools remaining open after Hurricane Katrina, James M. Singleton Charter Middle School experienced an influx of students, expanding from a middle school with 350 students to a pre-K through 8th grade school with 750 students. On April 20, EDN helped host an Earth Day Fair and Hands On Earth Day event focusing on community environmental education and involvement. Volunteers worked to install a portable greenhouse, built an outdoor classroom, planted a garden, hosted a bicycle maintenance workshop, and installed new energy efficient lighting to reduce the school's energy bills.

EDN Education Director, Sean Miller, teaches student in New Orleans about bioremediation through
sunflower planting for Hands On Earth Day 2007. The process of bioremediation
naturally eliminates toxins from the soil, air, and water.

McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts

At the start of the 2006-2007 school year, McDonogh 15 was not initially slated to reopen. In response, the school's surrounding community took action, devoting 100 hours each week to clean and paint the school building. Less than a year after the hurricane, the school reopened its doors to 420 students.

A volunteer at the McDonogh 15 School works on building the school's new green roof on April 26.

On April 26, EDN helped host Hands on Earth Day at the McDonogh 15 School, organizing volunteers who installed new energy efficient lighting and established the first extensive green roof at a school in New Orleans!

Utilizing green building design and creating a model for healthy, attractive green schools are important contributions to the recovery efforts in New Orleans.

Volunteers work on painting an under the sea mural in a science classroom at St. Augustine Middle School in Buffalo.

Earth Day Network will continue to work with these schools in New Orleans through our National Civic Education Project (NCEP). Our approach combines civic and environmental education and typically occurs throughout the school year, allowing students to better understand how their actions can influence the environmental health of their own communities. The NCEP culminates in a final action created and achieved by the students to remedy local environmental concerns with demonstrable outcomes and results. In addition to our direct support of Hands On Earth Day and the NCEP, EDN offers many online resources to start action in your community. Our Teacher's Corner features school greening lesson plans, a school energy audit, an exciting back-to-school organic food contest, and other helpful curricula and activities. Use these resources to green your school!