Schools
New Jersey Schools Benefit from Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grant to Eco-Schools USA
Orange School Teachers Receive Free Professional Development Training
National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is proud to announce the receipt of a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to support Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey, a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon. This grant will fund professional development for New Jersey teachers that will demonstrate how artistic expression and environmental education can be key components of teaching STEM skills.
Two school districts, Orange and Milltown, will benefit from additional focus with a year-long project-based learning unit focused on identifying, exploring, experimenting, and communicating sustainability practices in the schools via the Eco-Schools USA framework. This unit will specifically use the arts to enhance instruction and measure student understanding of key concepts. In addition, art projects will be used to communicate the initiative to the broader school audience and the community, brand and market sustainable products, and enhance the learning environment.
Services will be provided at no cost to the teachers or districts. The Eco-Schools USA program provides free resources and support to schools working towards sustainability and helps schools improve academic performance, save money, and conserve resources. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation’s grant helps fund the program’s professional development activities which are implemented by New Jersey Audubon, an NWF affiliate and the coordinator of Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey.
Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Jennifer Dowd, Eco-Schools coordinator, New Jersey Audubon says “By teaching through the lenses of creativity and environmental awareness, STEM concepts and skills are elevated and integrated into memorable, transformative experiences. This generous support from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation will help us give those experiences to more students through the Eco-Schools USA program. I am particularly excited about the in depth work we are able to do in Orange and Milltown with this grant.”
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation’s partnership with NWF’s Eco-Schools USA is aligned with the foundation’s mission to support art, education, environment and media initiatives that are innovative and promote collaboration and community-driven decision making.
Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Curtis Fisher, northeast regional executive director, National Wildlife Federation says, “The National Wildlife Federation is grateful to the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for their continued support of Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey. With their help, we estimate that 3,000 children and 30 teachers and personnel will be introduced to sustainable actions through the arts. These kids are our future and these experiences will help shape the adults that they are going to become.”
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 now has 139 schools registered throughout the state. Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey supports and directly aligns with Sustainable Jersey for Schools’ point-based system.
For more information: www.eco-schoolsusa.org
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:
The New Jersey Audubon Society 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.
About the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation is a private foundation based in Morristown, New Jersey. Established in 1974, they focus on issues critical to New Jersey, and nonprofit organizations whose work has a direct and meaningful impact to the state. For more information: http://www.grdodge.org/
