Events and Opportunities to Connect

Ongoing Opportunities

California Green Ribbon Schools Achievers and Applicants Network: This network meets quarterly and aims to unite past, current, and future CA Green Ribbon Schools applicants dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and programs within their school communities. The network gives participants the chance to network with each other to inspire and share best practices. 

Upcoming network meeting dates for the 2023-24 school year include the following:

Past Events

CALIFORNIA GREEN RIBBON NETWORK MEETING RECORDINGS

May 2024 CA Green Ribbon Network Meeting: The May 2024 California Green Ribbon Network Meeting focused on the Connections between Living Schoolyards and the Green Ribbon Program. Guest speakers included: Andra Yeghoian sharing an overview to Living Schoolyards and Green Ribbon; Rachel Pringle of Green Schoolyards America providing history on Living Schoolyard Month and where to find resources, John Fisher of Life Lab sharing about the importance of school gardens, and Jas Bains Wright and Heather Merodio sharing their Green Ribbon alumni achievement story from Suisun Valley K-8. 

March 2024 CA Green Ribbon Network Meeting: The March 2024 California Green Ribbon Network Meeting focused on Green Ribbon Pillar III - Environmental Education.  Guest speakers included Andra Yeghoian sharing resources for Environmental Education Policy and Environmental Literacy Plans, and Natalie Taylor sharing the Environmental Education journey and programs for Claremont Unified School District.

January 2024 CA Green Ribbon Network Meeting: The January 2024 California Green Ribbon Network Meeting focused on Resource Conservation and connections between Pillar I and Pillar III. Guest speakers included Michelle Cevallos sharing a statewide perspective and resources from CalRecycle, and Fenna Gatty sharing a case study of zero waste in acton at Livermore Unified School District.  

October 2023 CA Green Ribbon Network Meeting: The October 2023 California Green Ribbon Network Meeting focused on systems change and platforms for prioritizing environmental and climate action in districts and schools. The guest speaker for this workshop was Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer at Ten Strands.

TOURS AND SITE VISITS

Green Strides Tour 2023: Each fall, the ED Infrastructure and Sustainability Initiative shares innovative practices and resources in the areas of sustainable schools by coordinating the Green Strides tour, which highlights ED-GRS honorees. In September 2023, the Green Strides Tour came to Northern and Central California with the theme Schools for Climate Solutions. Check out the recap of this event in the following resources: