SMART Schools® Toolkit

The SMART Schools® Toolkit   

(Sustainability Metrics And Resource Tools) 

How Do I Use This Toolkit?

Click on the following Links at the Left Menu to learn how your school can:

• Make The Commitment
• Build Your Taskforce
• Know Your Numbers
• Reduce Your Footprint
• Educate Your Community
• Report Your Progress

The SMART Schools® Toolkit draws from all parts of GSA Online to help you find the resources that you need at the local, regional or national scale and describes specific TOOLKIT ACTIONS to help you and your school meet your goals. Learn how you can save money, reduce GHG emissions and energy use, water, & waste, become healthier and more sustainable.

Each TOOLKIT ACTION is being built over time by GSA Member Schools and Corporate and NGO partners, and contain the following:  DESCRIPTIONS, CASE STUDIES and RESOURCES.

The Toolkit is an on-going interactive initiative developed by schools for schools to share resources and best practices. We recognize that every school and individual has a different starting point. Together we are making a difference!

You can start with the SMART Schools® Toolkit     or you can also:

• Read about what Member Schools are doing in the GSA Members Profile Pages
• Explore the list of links, books, articles, and more in the Resource Center
• Enjoy articles and essays from the school community in The Green Journal®
• Connect with your state or regional GSA Coordinators

The Challenges:

The challenges we face are daunting: climate change, resource depletion, pollution, habitat destruction, species extinction, and much more. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but you can do your part to create a brighter future. You and your school can be an agent of change. Use the Toolkit to learn how! Start thinking differently about how you use energy and water, generate waste, consume food, construct buildings, purchase supplies, landscape and clean.

The History:

In the summer of 2009, one hundred outstanding environmental faculty and student leaders, nominated by their schools, participated in the inaugural National Student Climate and Conservation Congress (Sc3), a GSA program in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Conservation Center (NCTC). Together, participants developed a list of "tools" needed to help them implement their climate and conservation action plans developed at the Congress. This SMART Schools® Toolkit was developed to support them and others wanting to reduce their environmental impact in school and beyond the school walls.

The Green Schools Alliance is about schools guiding schools, sharing best practices, inspiring and supporting each other’s goals. This Toolkit is unique because it is created by GSA Member schools, for schools, and contains real success stories and proven tools from students, teachers, staff members and administrators. Whether you are from a school who is just getting started, or a school who is well on your way, you will find answers to your questions about going green.

If you don't see what you are looking for, feel free to add to it (this option is available GSA members only, so please consider joining the Alliance!)