Celebrating progress toward healthy, resilient schools at the 2026 Green Schools Conference

School district leaders, educators, students, and advocates are making steady progress toward green, healthy, resilient schools - and at this year’s Green Schools Conference, that momentum was on full display. Across sessions and conversations, leaders from across the country shared how they are advancing the work in their communities.

One highlight of the conference was the Best of Green Schools Awards, which recognize the people, schools, and organizations pushing this work forward. We were especially excited to celebrate the Moment for the Movement Award earned by the Seal of Climate Literacy. The Seal is a high school graduation endorsement that recognizes students who demonstrate climate literacy through project-based, real-world learning. 

First championed by Lyra in Colorado, the Seal is gaining national momentum. Maine recently launched its version of the Seal as a policy initiative by the Governor’s Office of Innovation at the Maine Department of Education, and bills are underway to establish the Seal in other states:

• In California, the Seal is advancing as a proposed policy initiative under the State Seal of Climate Literacy Act (SB 1048), authored by Senator Josh Becker. Supporting individuals and organizations can sign on as a supporter here. 

• Minnesota State Representative Larry Kraft introduced HF3557, supported by the Minnesota Youth Council, whose members unanimously voted to endorse the Seal and advance climate literacy across the state’s schools.

• In Hawaiʻi, House Bill 1925 would task the Hawaiʻi Department of Education with creating a Climate Literacy Certificate Program.

We are proud to support these efforts alongside Lyra and a growing community of partners.

Another highlight was a standing-room-only session on how school districts can modernize facilities through cost-saving HVAC upgrades and energy efficiency improvements. Undaunted’s Co-Founder Sara Ross presented alongside Superintendent Bill Long of Center Grove Community Schools (IN) and Carson Stewart of CMTA Inc., the design and engineering firm that partnered with the district.

Center Grove is one of a growing number of districts using energy savings performance contracts and federal energy tax credits to install high-performing systems while managing costs. Their experience offers a practical example of how districts can move forward with long-needed facility improvements while reducing energy use and improving indoor environments for students and staff.

Undaunted’s Co-Founder and CEO Jonathan Klein connected with educators and advocates at the Green Book Zone, sharing insights from Students, Schools, and Our Climate Moment, which he co-authored with Laura Schifter.

We’re grateful to the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Schools National Network for convening this community each year, and for creating a space where leaders can connect, learn, and celebrate progress together.