Two Long Branch Schools Awarded Green Flag Award

On June 13, 2017, Long Branch Middle School and George L. Catrambone were recognized by New Jersey Audubon and National Wildlife Federation for exceptional achievement in ‘greening’ physical structure and grounds, conserving natural resources and integrating environmental education into curricula. The schools will be awarded the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award, an internationally acclaimed achievement and Eco-School’s highest honor. Eleven schools are so honored in New Jersey.

Eco-Schools is an international program that engages school students, faculty, and community volunteers in efforts to improve student environmental literacy and skills. Eco-Schools in New Jersey is a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon and claims more than 230 schools throughout the state.

To win the Green Flag, Long Branch students and faculty tackled a host of sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency, waste disposal and water conservation; and instituting environmental-themed curricula.

At Long Branch Middle School, science and health come to life as special education students grow and harvest herbs and vegetables in their courtyard garden to cook and sell healthy meals to staff at “Café 63”. Meanwhile, the biology classes and student volunteers planted dune grass at the local beaches to prevent beach erosion during storms. George L. Catrambone Elementary School students also spent time gardening and this year, constructed a greenhouse out of more than 2,000 recycled soda bottles. They have eliminated plastic water bottles in the school and are campaigning to end the use of plastic straws. The schools also focus on energy conservation and closely monitor lighting, temperatures, and appliance power usage. The combined efforts in of the two schools have reduced carbon emissions by over 860,000 lbs., the equivalent of taking more than 25,000 cars off the road.

“Our schools live and breathe green”, says superintendent of schools Dr. Michael Salvatore. “We live up to this image by incorporating the environment into our teaching, learning, thoughts and actions.”

Both schools were designed with the environment in mind to LEED certification standards. The middle school also boasts solar panels and geothermal heating. The schools have also received the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon and Bronze Certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools.

Curtis Fisher, Northeast regional executive director, remarks “The Long Branch community has much to be proud with two Eco-Schools Green Flags to their name. With their efforts they are investing in their community, their environment and their youth.”

Allison Mulch, with New Jersey Audubon is the both Eco-Schools coordinator and the administrator of the Green Ribbon schools program in New Jersey. She presented the Green Flag to the schools at a ceremony on June 13th. “This is truly an exciting achievement.” says Mulch. “For the Long Branch schools to have reached the pinnacle of both the Eco-Schools program and the Green Ribbon program in one year, they had to embrace sustainability at every level. It is quite an accomplishment.”

As the Eco-Schools coordinator, Mulch helps schools navigate through the Eco-Schools program and offers free trainings to teachers, administrators, and school board members throughout the state. This benefit is unique to New Jersey Eco-Schools thanks to a partnership with NJ Audubon (NJA), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the PSEG Foundation.

About Eco-Schools: Eco-Schools is an international program hosted by the NWF in the U.S., and coordinated by New Jersey Audubon in NJ. The program serves over 4,300 schools throughout the country. Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey supports and directly aligns with Sustainable Jersey for Schools point-based system. The Eco-Schools USA website has an interactive map that shows locations and distribution of participating schools. For more information:http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionEducation/ProvidingfortheEducationCommunity/NWFEco-SchoolsUSA.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 NJ 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.