USGBC South Florida's Generation Green Event

The weather held off for the USGBC South Florida Chapter Treasure Coast Branch's first Generation Green Event on April 21, 2012. 175 registered attendees representing four counties attended the Generation Green Awards Ceremony.

The program was meant to provide recognition for green initiatives and honored people and groups including teacher, student, student group, school, principal and district.The Generation Green event was the ceremony and celebration for these Green Apple Awards.

The afternoon started out with a review of the applications, lunch and raffle prizes. Emily Knupp, grassroots outreach specialist for the Center for Green Schools was the keynote speaker. She discussed the top five ways our community can take first steps towards green schools, which included:

• The Green Ribbon Schools Program: the first comprehensive green schools program sponsored by the Federal Government.
• The Princeton Review Guide to 322 Green Colleges: A guide which profiles 322 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.This publication was just released and is available to download for free.
• Green Classroom Professional Certification Program: an online program for teachers and administrators to learn how to green their classrooms.
• Green Apple Day of Service: Sept. 29, 2012, register an event!
• Contact the USGBC SF Chapter to become more involved.

The Treasure Coast Green Apple Award winners were:

• Green Superintendant: Michael Lannon, St Lucie County.
• Green Teacher: A tie; Megan Williamson, North Elementary Okeechobee County and Jennifer Majors, West K-8 School St Lucie County.
• Green Student: Michael Dale, Hidden Oaks Middle School, Martin County.
• Green Classroom: Rachel Jones, Recycling Rock stars, Central Elementary, Okeechobee.
• Green Principal: Patti Galloway, Village Green Environmental Studies, St. Lucie County.
• Green School: Palm City Elementary, Green Team, Martin County.
• Green Students: A tie; Michael Dale, Hidden Oaks Middle, Martin County, Bessey Creek Elementary, Team Green, Martin County.

The Generation Green event went so well, and we want to build and expand for next year! Thanks to all of our volunteers who helped make this day a success!