12 BCPS schools honored in Maryland Green Schools program

Includes 5 schools achieving “sustainable” Maryland Green Schools status

TOWSON, MD. – Twelve Baltimore County public schools have been honored by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) for their 2019-2020 achievements in the Maryland Green Schools program.

The following BCPS schools were recognized:

For “sustainable status,” which recognizes program participation for 14 years:

Jacksonville Elementary School

Norwood Elementary School

Pine Grove Middle School

Pot Spring Elementary School

Sparks Elementary School

For achieving Green School status;

The Chatsworth School

Overlea High School

For recertifying Green School status:

Bear Creek Elementary School

Catonsville Middle School

Fort Garrison Elementary School

Padonia International Elementary School

Sudbrook Magnet Middle School

With the addition of the two BCPS schools achieving Maryland Green School status this year, the total number of BCPS Maryland Green Schools is 70 (40 percent of all BCPS schools, centers, and programs). The total number of Maryland Green Schools is 656 (30 percent of all schools in the state).

According to MAEOE, Maryland Green Schools this school year have saved 648,415 gallons of water; reduced energy use by 2,157,757 kilowatt hours; recycled 1,729,076 pounds of material; created 25,961 square feet of natural habitat; planted 3,203 native plants, including shrubs and trees; and cleaned 86,197 square feet of stream banks.

“We want every school in Maryland to be a Green School, said Laura Johnson Collard, MAEOE executive director.  “MAEOE and partners are helping to create lifelong stewards of the environment by working with school districts and independent/private schools to grow the number of green schools in our state. We are proud of our Maryland Green Schools and the work that they do to create a healthy and sustainable environment for everyone in their school community, while teaching students to care about the environment and make a positive impact.”