The National Wildlife Federation and EcoSchools U.S. recognized Forest Park High School with the Green Flag award for their commitment to sustainability education and driving positive environmental change both in the school and community.

For Ashley Tayon, sustainability coordinator at the school, and her students, the Green Flag recognition was their main goal for the school year.

“It was truly an honor to be part of the new sustainability movement within PWCS. When we received the news that all our action plans from this year had been approved and that we had officially earned the title of EcoSchools U.S. Green Flag, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I was incredibly proud of all the hard work the students had put in throughout the school year,” Tayon shared. She added that this accomplishment was made possible through collaboration with school staff, students, and community partners.

To receive this award, Forest Park High students and staff committed to several different sustainability actions that included collecting data, creating an action plan, and measuring impact. One notable outcome of these efforts was the collection of 1,600 lbs. of waste – diverting it from the landfill. Forest Park is the first school in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to receive the Green Flag recognition.

“The PWCS Energy and Sustainability team is incredibly grateful to Forest Park High School for piloting the EcoSchools U.S. recognition program this year with such resounding success. Their students actively addressed local environmental challenges and underscored their efforts by also winning first place at the PWCS Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS). We look forward to more schools joining the EcoSchools U.S. program next year, utilizing school buildings and outdoor spaces as teaching tools to support student-led, inquiry-based learning while emphasizing the essential link between environmental and human health,” Melinda Landry, sustainability coordinator for PWCS, said.

The Forest Park team is already looking forward to future ideas and goals, including creating an outdoor classroom at the school, establishing an adaptable garden and greenhouse, and developing a new mentorship program called “Forest Friends,” where they will mentor other schools in sustainability practices and guide them on how to achieve their own Green Flag award.

“I think the effort goes to show that if Ms. Tayon and her students are conscientious to support having an eco-friendly environment and promote sustainability efforts, everyone in PWCS can. It is my hope to see more schools commit to this effort,” Richard Martinez, principal at the school, shared.

More than 6,000 schools in all 50 states have participated on the EcoSchools U.S. program. You can read more about the program on the National Wildlife Federation webpage.