Hello Robin,

Project Green Schools was proud to honor this year's Green Difference Award winners at the 2025 Green Difference Awards Ceremony, held at the U.S. Capitol—a fitting stage to recognize the outstanding achievements of environmental leaders and advocates from across the country.

Every year, Project Green Schools shines a spotlight on the students, educators, administrators, citizens, and community leaders making extraordinary contributions to advancing environmental education, sustainability, and climate action.

This year's honorees exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, commitment, and creativity in the pursuit of a greener future.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Project Green Schools is honored to recognize and uplift these changemakers whose actions inspire peers and ignite progress.

Project Green Schools was also honored to collaborate with a myriad of congressional leaders to celebrate our 2025 honorees!

2025 Green Difference Awards Congressional Collaborators:

Senate: 

Adam Schiff (CA)

Mike Crapo (ID)

James Rich (ID)

Raphael Warnock (GA)

Chris Van Hollen (MD)

Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)

House: 

Seth Moulton (MA)

Debbie Wassermann Schultz (FL)

Eleanor Holmes Norton (Washington, D.C.)

Dave Min (CA)

Gerald E. Connolly (VA)

Beth Van Duyne (TX)

Herbert C. Conaway Jr. (NJ)

Greg Landsman (OH)

Nancy Mace (SC)

Congratulations to our 2025 Green Futures Scholarship Winners!

Project Green Schools was proud to award two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding 2025 graduating seniors in the United States who are pursuing higher education and have demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship. These scholarships honor students whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom and into the heart of their communities. 

Katherine and Evelyn are exemplary young changemakers who have had a meaningful impact on their peers, schools, and communities. We know that the leadership these two extraordinary students have demonstrated during their high school careers will continue, and that Katherine and Evelyn will continue to lead with purpose as they take their next steps forward to university and beyond. 

Congratulations, Katherine and Evelyn!

National Youth Council University Decisions

Congratulations to all of our graduating National Youth Council members!

2025 National Green Schools Society Induction Ceremony

We were especially excited to host our inaugural National Green Schools Society Induction Ceremony as part of this year's celebration. This year’s class of inductees (in attendance) was made up of 25 students from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

This meaningful milestone recognized outstanding student leaders for their commitment to environmental stewardship, academic excellence, and community service. Their induction marks the beginning of a lifelong journey as sustainability champions and role models for peers across the country.

Welcoming our New Advisory Board Members!

We’re excited to welcome an inspiring group of new Advisors to Project Green Schools — each bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to help guide the next generation of environmental leaders.

As we continue our mission of developing green students, schools, and communities through education, project-based learning, and service, our Advisors will play a key role in helping to shape impactful programs and supporting youth-driven environmental action across the country.



Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to sustainability will strengthen our efforts to build healthier, more equitable, and environmentally responsible communities today and for the future.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Advisors. We are honored to have you on this journey with us!

Welcome to our 2025 Summer Interns!

Project Green Schools is excited to welcome a new cohort of talented interns from Emerson College to our team this summer!

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to these inspiring young leaders. We are thrilled to have them on board and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make during their time with us!

Project Green Schools’ Youth Council Officers Recognized at the American Climate Leadership Awards

We are thrilled to announce that two of our National Youth Council members were named Finalists for ecoAmerica’s American Climate Leadership Awards — a prestigious honor recognizing innovative climate action and advocacy across the country!

Carolyn He, our Co-President, and Nathan Tan, Programming Officer and representative of the Prairie Restoration Crew, were both recognized for their extraordinary leadership and impactful work advancing climate solutions in their schools and communities.

As finalists, Carolyn and Nathan each received $5,000 to support their ongoing climate initiatives! Vice President Diya and Communications Officer Sophie were also mentioned during the awards ceremony!

Please join us in congratulating Carolyn and Nathan for their passion, dedication, and trailblazing efforts to build a more sustainable future!

Thank you to EcoAmerica for recognizing our students and for their incredible work inspiring and empowering climate action across the U.S.!

Also, a big shout-out to this year’s winner, our friends at Change is Simple (CiS)! CiS is an environmental education nonprofit that brings dynamic, STEM-based sustainability and climate education to over 8,000 elementary and middle school students in the greater Boston area annually.

Watch the full ceremony:

Celebrating Our Green Schools Society Graduates!

As the school year comes to a close, we’re thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our amazing Green Schools Society graduates!

Your passion, dedication, and leadership in sustainability have made a powerful impact — not only within your schools but across your communities. From energy-saving initiatives to waste reduction and climate action, you've been at the forefront of building a greener, brighter future for all.

We are incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished. As you embark on your next chapter, we know you’ll carry this spirit of environmental stewardship with you, wherever you go.

Congratulations, Class of 2025! The world is a better, greener place because of you.

2024-2025 Honor Roll

We also want to give a special shout-out to all of our incredible Green Schools Society students for their stellar work this school year!

In total, NGSS/IGSS students logged 20,919 hours of environmental service and education!

Landmark Christian School (GA) logged the most hours, with a total of 7,957 hours submitted. Lake Nona High School (FL) logged a total of 1,458 hours. Rick Reedy High School (TX) logged a total of 1,391 hours. 

Kudos to Julianne McAteer of Landmark Christian School (GA) for logging the most hours of a single student with an impressive 2,017 hours!

Be sure to check out the 2024-2025 Green Schools Society Honor Roll for a full list of all this year’s remarkable students and schools!

Here are some highlights from our National Green Schools Society chapters this school year!

Rhode Island Mock Session

In April, Project Green Schools was thrilled to host a Mock Legislative Session at the Rhode Island State House in partnership with Rhode Island Energy and the Office of House Speaker Joe Shekarchi!

Representative Terri Cortvriend led the students in two interactive mock sessions, focusing on House Bill No. 5422, House Bill No. 5216, House Bill No. 5343, and House Bill No. 5340.

During the sessions, students were given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the legislative process, discuss sustainability issues centered around energy and innovation, debate policy solutions to environmental challenges, and engage with policy officials.

Submit a proposal for the 2026 Green Schools Conference

Join our organization for the Green Schools Conference (GSC) in 2026! GSC is the only event that brings together everyone involved in creating and advocating for green schools, with a focus on those leading their schools and school systems toward whole-school sustainability.

Read More

Fun Fall Field Trip Idea—Organize a COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup for Your Class

This annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) will begin in late August, and now is the time to sign up to coordinate a fun cleanup field trip with your students at a favorite beach, marsh, or riverbank. It is easy to get involved. Cleanups can be scheduled on any day from late August into November, and all supplies are provided for free!

To organize a cleanup with your students, see the COASTSWEEP website and email them at coastsweep@mass.gov with any questions.

Calendar of Events/Days to Celebrate

July

• Plastic Free July
• 11th: World Population Day
• 26th: International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

August

• 12th: International Youth Day
• 19th: National Aviation Day

September

• 4th: National Wildlife Day
• 21st: International Day of Peace
• 21st: Zero Emissions Day
• 22nd: World Car-free Day
• 22nd/23rd: Fall (Autumnal) Day