Fields of Green Montessori School Awarded Notable Eco-Schools Bronze Award

Outside isn’t just for recess anymore. Certainly not at Fields of Green Montessori School in Vernon where the outdoors serves as a dynamic classroom setting. The school was recently recognized as a Schoolyard Habitat by National Wildlife Federation and later awarded the Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award by National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon for the school’s work in creating a pollinator garden and restoring stream banks with native shrubs and trees.

Fields of Green joins a growing movement of Eco-Schools in New Jersey, now with 175 schools registered throughout the state. This international program recognizes and provides free resources to schools integrating sustainability into the curriculum and on school grounds.

“Our school has been “green” long before the concepts of green schools came out” says director, Debra Smorto. “I combined a traditional Montessori program with an important tenet in the philosophy which is that kids learn best in the medium of nature.”

Students had the opportunity to learn from and in nature when they set out to transform an area ravaged by Hurricane Irene. Rather than seeing it as a tragedy, Fields of Green Montessori saw this as a learning opportunity. The hurricane had destroyed a dam and emptied a pond that once existed on the property, carving out a creek with deep banks. Students and staff literally brought their science and art subjects to life by working together to restore the banks and creating a walkway garden with pollinator species. The kids also designed a tile wall which was installed into a kiosk.

“Hands on projects like these help students learn important STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math) while fostering creativity through arts integration and collaboration amongst students” says Dale Rosselet, vice president for education with New Jersey Audubon.

To win the Bronze Award schools must establish an “Eco-Action Team”, conduct an environmental audit, develop and monitor an Eco-Action plan and include the community. Fields of Green will likely work towards even more ambitious awards in the program as they continue. Every year’s curriculum falls under a yearlong theme that involves nature or sustainability. This year’s theme is called “Tread Lightly on the Earth” and is comprised of learning about climate change and alternative forms of energy.

There are three Eco-Schools in Sussex County including Hamburg Public School, Fields of Green Montessori School and Ogdensburg School.

About Eco-Schools

Eco-Schools is an international program in 60 countries. The program, hosted by the National Wildlife Federation in the United States, and coordinated by New Jersey Audubon in New Jersey has 175 schools registered throughout the state. Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey supports and directly aligns with Sustainable Jersey for Schools point-based system. With support from PSEG and The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Eco-Schools USA is able to provide a staff person on the ground to help New Jersey schools reach their goals. For more information: http://www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA.aspx

About National Wildlife Federation:

National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization inspiring people to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF focuses its education and policy work on connecting children to nature for a nation of happier, healthier kids. NWF’s state affiliate is NJ Audubon. For more information: www.nwf.org.

About New Jersey Audubon:

New Jersey Audubon is a privately supported, not-for profit, statewide membership organization that fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey’s citizens; protects New Jersey’s birds, mammals, other animals, and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; and promotes preservation of New Jersey’s valuable natural habitats. For more information: www.njaudubon.org.