Winners of the Inaugural Idaho Green Schools Challenge

Boise, ID, June 28, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Cash prizes and trophies distributed to three schools.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Idaho Chapter Green Schools Advocacy committee announced the three top winners of the inaugural Idaho Green Schools Challenge at the Idaho Environmental Education Association Annual Conference in March.

USGBC Idaho Chapter and Wells Fargo launched the first ever Idaho Green Schools Challenge in September 2012. The competition invited Idaho schools, classes or groups to form a team to green their school, with the goal of saving energy and other resources, lower operating costs, and positively impacting their community. Together, Wells Fargo and USGBC Idaho want to empower students and communities to be good stewards of their own environments.

Nampa High School won Platinum (1st Place, $1,500). Using recycled parts, Solar, Wind, Water and Compost teams set out to build renewable energy mechanisms, working compost bins and rainwater collection systems to save resources and save school funds. The most tangible savings came from the solar/wind teams in which a one time capital investment of $130 in supplies generated an estimated $110/year savings. In less than two years, Nampa High School can enjoy free energy.

Post Falls Middle School won Gold (2nd Place $750). A trip to a waste transfer station inspired a team to recycle paper at their school and measure the amount of paper waste diverted from the city landfill. The success of the paper recycling program paved the way for more materials destined for recycling at their school. Unique recycling-incentive campaigns were a hit and guidelines for a school recycling program are being handed over to classes in session for 2013/2014.

Hillside Junior High School won Silver (3rd Place, $500). By investigating their schools energy performance and loading it on to a free system called the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, students analyzed their schools energy use. Upon reviewing their schools’s energy data they decided to launch “Project Shut Down,” an educational campaign to shut down computers, lights and other electronics when not in use. This led to a 3% energy reduction the first month and an 11% reduction the second month. The success of the Project Shut Down is now the impetus of several more educational programs they have lined up for the near future.

USGBC Idaho is excited to announce it is continuing the Idaho Green Schools Challenge for the 2013/2014 school year. Green Teams may be a single classroom, a grade level, an entire school or a student club. One entry is allowed per school. The Green Team will come up with a low or no cost project to begin on or after September 10, 2013 and conclude by February 18, 2014. Cash awards and trophies will be presented to the top elementary, middle/junior and senior high schools. The Green Schools Committee will announce winners by March 7, 2014. For more information, please visit http://www.usgbcidaho.org/green-schools-challenge/.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jennifer Ellis, please call Jennifer at 208-867-4918 or email at greenschools@usgbcidaho.org. Please visit http://www.usgbcidaho.org/green-schools-challenge/ for the Idaho Green Schools Challenge Information.

The U.S. Green Building Council Idaho Chapter works to accelerate the implementation of sustainable building concepts, technologies and practices through education and advocacy. We envision a healthy future through the promotion and application of sustainable strategies to the built environment that will help strengthen Idaho's economy and communities. For more information about the USGBC Idaho Chapter please contact Executive Director Charlie Woodruff at 208-871-4601 or email him at charlie@usgbcidaho.org.