Space to Grow Earns National Award

A public-private partnership involving the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has been named one of 11 award winners representing the best environmental efforts in schools across the country. The partnership, called Space to Grow, has been transforming Chicago schoolyards into vibrant green spaces.

Space to Grow received the 2016 Best of Green School Award for Collaboration by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in collaboration with the Green Schools National Network (GSNN). Space to Grow partners were in attendance to receive the award at the Green Schools Conference and Expo in Pittsburgh, Penn. March 31.

Space to Grow provides students and their communities with opportunities for physical activity, outdoor learning, environmental literacy and engagement with art, while addressing neighborhood flooding issues. The program connects families and communities with their local schools by engaging community members in the schoolyard design process and by providing needed green space in urban neighborhoods. Space to Grow is managed by the Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands organizations. It is made possible through the financial and technical support of the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Department of Water Management and the MWRD.

"Collaboration has been key to the success of Space to Grow," said MWRD President Mariyana Spyropoulos. "Not only are organizations like the MWRD, the Chicago Department of Water Management, Chicago Public Schools, the Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands partnering to better ensure the right resources are invested in these projects, but the schools and communities are collaborating themselves to educate residents and create more informed neighborhoods about the goals of storm water management."

The 2016 Best of Green School award recipients recognized 11 individuals, institutions, projects and events representing the best environmental efforts in schools across the country and highlighted the national leaders and innovators in school sustainability for the year.

"This year's honorees are making huge strides in their schools and communities," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. "Each recipient is an inspiring example of innovation and passion in pursuit of schools that educate a generation of sustainability natives, students prepared to take the lead in the 21st century. Becoming a green school is a journey, not a destination; through their work, the leaders behind this inspiring work are blazing new trails in this movement to transform all schools into healthy, safe and inspired places for learning."

Source: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago