‘ECO Schools’ Winners in Brevard Celebrated for Innovative Environmental Education Programs

By  //  March 23, 2019

Each school has been recognized as ECO Schools

In recognition of their environmental stewardship efforts, seven schools, including Longleaf Elementary, Ocean Breeze Elementary, Roy Allen Elementary, Surfside Elementary, University Park Elementary, West Melbourne School for Science and Melbourne High School. (City of Melbourne image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In recognition of their environmental stewardship efforts, seven schools, including Longleaf Elementary, Ocean Breeze Elementary, Roy Allen Elementary, Surfside Elementary, University Park Elementary, West Melbourne School for Science and Melbourne High School.

Each school has been recognized by the City of Melbourne’s Environmental Community Outreach Division as ECO Schools – an acronym for Environmental Care and Ownership.

“We are proud to award these schools the ECO Schools designation,” said Melbourne Environmental Community Outreach Manager Jennifer Wilster.

“They are doing some remarkable and innovative things to educate the students about the importance of protecting the environment and we applaud them for their efforts.”

During the 2018/2019 school year, these schools have been undertaking numerous steps to conserve and protect resources inside the school and on school grounds. These activities include strong water and energy conservation measures, active recycling programs and hands-on environmental stewardship activities with students.

Roy Allen Elementary has an all-organic garden, and its “Earth Kids” are researching native plants and trees. (City of Melbourne image)

Some examples include:

  • All of the elementary schools have fourth-grade Indian River Lagoon field trips and studies, and all use recycled material for art, science, math and technology projects.
  • Longleaf Elementary’s gifted student program has held a recycled fashion show, and the students made a clubhouse out of recycling boxes and other items.
  • Roy Allen Elementary has an all-organic garden, and its “Earth Kids” are researching native plants and trees.
  • Surfside Elementary students do mangrove restoration projects.
  • West Melbourne School for Science has posted “save the lagoon” signs all around the school.
  • West Melbourne School for Science and University Park Elementary had “mission to Mars” type programs using recycled materials.
  • Melbourne High School has an Indian River Lagoon Club that performs service projects and an Environmental Awareness Club that does beach cleanups and sea oat plantings.
West Melbourne School for Science has posted “save the lagoon” signs all around the school. (City of Melbourne image)
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