MacAfee Road School Enrolls in Eco-Schools USA with New Jersey Audubon and National Wildlife Federation

MacAfee Road School in Somerset is going green with the adoption of the Eco-Schools USA program that will incorporate sustainability initiatives into existing school curriculum. MacAfee is one of nine schools in Somerset County to register with Eco-Schools in New Jersey, a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon. Eco-Schools USA, is based on the work of student-driven teams dedicated to issues like recycling and energy conservation and claims more than 4,300 schools in the nation. There are over 200 Eco-Schools throughout New Jersey.

MacAfee Road School has a head start in the program, where students are already engaged in energy conservation, recycling programs, gardening and outdoor learning. Participating in the Eco-Schools program will allow the school access to free trainings and resources as well as the opportunity to share best practices with other participating schools. Thanks to support from the PSEG Foundation, Eco-Schools in New Jersey have the added benefit of working with a coordinator through NJ Audubon who provides free trainings for teachers, administrators and school board members throughout the state. PSEG Foundation, provides support through grant money and volunteerism.

“A school, in my opinion, should be a living community,” says school principal, William Grippo. “It should touch every part of life, including nutrition, health, academics, the environment and good citizenship. I want to develop stakeholders that are proud of the school.”

To Grippo's credit, students and staff have much to be proud of. Third and fourth grade students in teacher, Susan Zega’s class tend a greenhouse and a robust 1,200 square foot garden. They even run their own weekly farmers market, selling fresh fruits and vegetables to teachers and staff. The market has helped them to raise over $700 in garden supplies to keep the garden going. In years past, they donated their harvest to the Franklin Food Bank and hope to do so again in the future. In addition, the school also boasts an outdoor classroom, both teeming with native pollinator friendly plants that have earned MacAfee Road School the designation as a National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat.

Indoors, students get to take part in school wide sustainability initiatives. Led by teacher Lauraine Wells and custodian Michael Hall, third graders do the legwork to collect recyclables from classrooms and cart them outside. Students also get the opportunity to take part in school wide energy savings programs where Connie Coriell, District Energy Coordinator, uses watt meters and wind up generators to teach kids about energy, how it is created, and how we can reduce our energy consumption.

Projects like these ultimately help schools progress through the Eco-Schools USA framework and earn awards for their successes. Schools select from ten environmental focus areas or pathways to work on such as energy efficiency, biodiversity, and sustainable foods. In addition to direct environmental benefits, the program helps to dramatically improve student skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). It is also a proven framework for promoting youth leadership and community service.

Allison Mulch, Eco-Schools coordinator, New Jersey Audubon says “Eco-Schools empowers students to make a difference in their environment while engaging them in learning in a new, interesting, and practical way.”

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.