Some Lexington County schools were recognized for their environmental education and stewardship at the county council meeting on Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m.

The Green Steps Program was formed in 2003 when Keep the Midlands Beautiful Sonoco Recycling and DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling created it. According to the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina, this program will “encourage K-12 schools to take annual steps toward establishing and maintaining model quality sustainability projects.” Students will learn, contribute to projects and educate others on sustainability.

Lexington County schools have been a part of this program for over 20 years.

The green step certification is attained when schools receive two or more awards in each category: conserve, protect and restore.

Chapin Elementary School was acknowledged for beginning its journey by becoming a part of the program and is working toward the green step certification.

Beechwood Middle School was recognized for integrating environmental programs into students’ lives as well as working toward receiving the green step certification.

Piney Woods Elementary School was recognized for starting projects in each category and is working toward the certification.

Additionally, four schools were recertified as they all have six qualifying multiyear projects. These four schools were out of eleven chosen for this award: East Point Academy, Irmo Middle School, Pleasant Hill Elementary School and Leaphart Elementary School.

Pleasant Hill Elementary staff members were early adopters of the program.

Irmo Middle School won the 2024 Conserve School of the Year, making this its third statewide award.

Leaphart Elementary has received its second statewide award, focusing on protecting the school.

According to the Education Association of South Carolina, in order to be a Green Step School, schools must: form a staff “green team," attend an annual training and update sessions (virtual and in-person options), decide on one or more sustainability projects and fill out the 2024 form with a mentor.

To earn an award, projects must have a constructive environmental impact, be worthy of showing to other schools, the project has to be well-established (at least for 12 months), documented and sustainable.

To learn more visit https://eeasc.org.