Green schools gathering in Denver Feb. 27-29 will help those new to the movement.

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

According to Forrester Research, 41% of consumers are either interested in or are already purchasing from green companies or are choosing green products and services. Hybrid car purchases are up and organic food purchases are climbing.  And companies like Renewable Choice Energy are seeing increasing demand for tools and products that help businesses measure, manage, and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supply chain inefficiencies..

People are becoming more aware of their impact on the planet – and just as today’s consumers are more “eco-aware,” many schools are ‘greening’ themselves, or are at least interested in learning more about what becoming green really means. School recycling programs? Sustainability education? Energy-efficient buildings? Improving classroom air-quality?  All of the above?

“Until recently, those advocating the ‘greening’ of our schools were individual educators who had yet to find each other, let alone a collective voice,” says Jim McGrath, director of the Green Schools National Network, the originator of the Green Schools National Conference. “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 sustainability awareness, while others remain in the shallows, needing advice, direction and encouragement.

“Whether a school is already green or just getting started, the conference will offer practical strategies and solutions, as we provide a road map for our conferees. The conference is only the first step for many.”

McGrath also points out that learning how to integrate environmental education, adopt sustainable practices, and develop other green initiatives is a school-wide effort that can involve parents and members of the community as well as teachers, students, administrators, maintenance workers, and architects.

All these groups will participate in the upcoming Green Schools National Conference, set for Feb 27-29 in Denver. The 3-day, action-packed event opens with a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who will rally support for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Awards Program.

Renewable Choice Energy will play a pivotal role at the conference as an exhibitor and as a conference partner who will offset the estimated carbon footprint of each registrant. The offset for each attendee costs only $2.50 and is a win-win: if a registrant chooses to participate in the offset program, he or she will also get a card for a free burrito from the Chipotle Mexican Grill booth.

For registration information and special Renewable Choice discounts click here. This conference will be a great spot to network with green-minded  principals, school business officers, school board members, teachers, facility managers, energy managers, school lunch managers, purchasing officers, transportation managers, and school guidance/career counselors, to name a few. (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.)

Just added! Pre-Conference Workshop: Funding Resources for Green School Construction.  Topics include 2012 Federal grants and loans for green schools, case histories, and winning examples of Federal and state grants for retrofit, remodel/expansion, or new construction, a “fundability factors” checklist, and the 10 funding agencies to contact first.

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