 The U.S. Department of Education honors the first-ever cohort of Green Ribbon Schools. 
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The Green StandardThe U.S. Department of Education has celebrated the very first cohort of Green Ribbon Schools—recognized for making the most progress in three areas, or "Pillars": reduced environmental impact, improved health, and effective environmental education. Representing 29 states and the District of Columbia, the 78 honorees truly run the gamut. They include the nation's first off-grid solar- and...more > |
 A weekly web series takes us on a cross-country odyssey dedicated to food. |
Eating Across AmericaWe're always up for a road trip, especially if it involves delicious food in intriguing places. So we were delighted to discover The Perennial Plate, a weekly web series dedicated to "adventurous and sustainable eating."Chef/host Daniel Klein and "vegetarian Cameraman" Mirra Fine traveled 23,000 miles across 42 states and produced 50 short films (one per week) for a year. The goal: To tell "real...more > |
 We presented our latest resources and strategies for fresh, local, healthy school meals at an August, 2011 conference. |
Cooking with California Food ConferenceThe Center introduced its new Cooking with California Food in K–12 Schools: A Cookbook and Professional Development Guide, which presents exciting and practical strategies for cooking from scratch and incorporating fresh, local food into school meals, at an August conference and cooking school at UC Davis. We hosted the conference in partnership with the TomKat Charitable Trust, with support...more > |
 The USDA's new graphic for a healthy diet fits nicely with the Center's ideas for Rethinking School Lunch. |
USDA MyPlate Graphic Supports Rethinking School Lunch Suggested PortionsThe USDA has just unveiled its MyPlate graphic – the new visual standard to replace the two-decades-old food pyramid. It's a major improvement. As I told a San Francisco Chronicle reporter, we polled sixth-graders about the old symbol, and discovered that they had trouble understanding it. They thought fat and sugar must be the good things because they were at the top of the pyramid. It was...more > |
 Suggestions for readings to enrich your summer, from the Center for Ecoliteracy staff. |
Summer Reading SuggestionsOn the lookout for mental and spiritual nourishment this summer? Center for Ecoliteracy staff members suggest a dozen books that are informing and inspiring us. We invite you to share your recommendations below.The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society, by Frans de Waal (2010: Three Rivers Press)Dr. de Waal challenges the portrayal of nonhuman animals as simple-minded, unemotional...more > |
As part of our Smart by Nature™ outreach, the Center for Ecoliteracy staff regularly publishes blogs about the wide range of topics concerning education and schooling for sustainability. Come back often to see the latest blog, or sign up for an RSS feed to receive each new blog to your email inbox.
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