Inaugural Green School Competition Launches in Montana; Register Your Montana School/Group for a Chance to Win a Trophy/Cash Prize

Bozeman, MT, September 20, 2013 --(PR.com)-- On Sept. 28, Saturday, 2013, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Montana Chapter Green School and Advocacy is showing its support of healthy and sustainable schools by launching the first ever Montana Green School Challenge. The competition invites Montana 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 Montana want to empower students and communities to be good stewards of their own environments.

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 and submit intent to participate by October 30, 2013 and conclude by March 30, 2014. Cash awards and plaques will be presented to the top elementary school and secondary (middle/junior or high) school. The Green Schools Committee will announce winners on Earth Day, April 22, 2014.

Could your school save money or improve student health and performance by being green? The answer is yes! On average, green schools use 33% less energy and 32% less water than conventionally constructed schools, significantly reducing utility costs. Green Schools emphasize high indoor air quality by improving air circulation, removing toxic materials and products, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Green Schools have clean air, high quality acoustics, temperature control systems, and use daylight strategies to create welcoming learning environments that reduce distractions and encourage student participation. USGBC Montana is energized to start a green school movement in our state.

“This is where we learn and where we learn matters is the mantra we want to hear throughout the state,” says Wendy Weaver, the USGBC Montana Green School Advocate. “We want Montana students, educators, and administrators to think analytically about how ‘green’ is their classroom and expand it across their entire campus. We want to encourage high performance buildings, healthy learning environments and inspire students to embrace environmental systems thinking. We are working very hard towards Green Schools for all this generation. It starts with the Montana Green Schools Challenge.” www.usgbcmontana.org/green-schools-challenge.html

“Supporting the Montana Green Schools Challenge is very much in line with Wells Fargo’s commitment to education and the environment,” said Don Melendez, Idaho Regional president. “We believe this is a thoughtful investment of our resources in the future of our communities where our team members and customers live and work. We’re proud to encourage environmental stewardship in our schools.”

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Wendy Weaver, please call Wendy at 406-579-2355 or email at wendy@greenstone-consulting.com. Please visit www.usgbcmontana.org/green-schools-challenge.html for the Montana Green School Challenge Information.

The U.S. Green Building Council Montana Chapter promotes balanced social, economic, and environmental stewardship in Montana by leading and educating about green building practices that will create healthy and sustainable communities in which to live, work, and play. For more information about the USGBC Montana Chapter please contact Board Member and Green School Chair Wendy Weaver at 406-579-2355 or email her at wendy@greenstone-consulting.com.