Spring-Ford Area School District In Montgomery County Gets National Sustainability Award

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A central Montgomery County school district was recently named one of only five districts across the country to receive a national recognition in honor of their environmental sustainability efforts.

The Spring-Ford Area School District — which is based in Royersford and serves children in that borough as well as Limerick and Upper Providence Townships in Montgomery County, and also students in Spring City in neighboring Chester County — was named a Green Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education in honor of their sustainable practices.

The district, which received the School District Sustainability Award, was among five school districts, 27 schools, and four postsecondary institutions to be honored in this way.

In Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University was also recognized with the Sustainability Award.

State officials have reacted to the news with joy.

"Pennsylvania's schools play a critical role in helping to preserve and protect the world around us by encouraging students to learn and actively engage in environmental sustainability practices," Pennsylvania Education Secretary Noe Ortega said in a statement. "Green Ribbon Schools exemplify the importance of this mission and demonstrate a commitment to promoting environmental awareness in the classroom."

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell said the two Pennsylvania schools recognized exemplify a "stellar commitment" to protecting the natural environment.

"The efforts of these schools prove that reducing our environmental impacts, educating the next generation to be good stewards of our natural resources, and saving money are all inter-connected," McDonnell said in a statement.

Cindy Adams Dunn, the secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, also weighed in, releasing a statement applauding the Pennsylvania schools for their "commitment to sustainability and positive environmental stewardship."

"Schools are where our young people — the next generation of conservationists — learn and grow, which is why it is so important to have green schools like these leading by example here in Pennsylvania," Dunn stated.

According to a news release from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education, awardees for this sustainability recognition show progress in the areas of reducing environmental impacts, such as waste, water, greenhouse gases and transportation; improving health and wellness with consideration to air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, school nutrition and outdoor physical activity; and offer effective environmental and sustainability education that emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning, civic engagement, STEM connections and green career preparation.

The full list of award recipients can be seen here.