News release from the National Wildlife Federation: Mary Rieke Elementary School in Portland is the first school in Oregon to receive the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. To earn the honor, the school has established three Eco-Schools pathways—energy, biodiversity, and consumption/waste. The Rieke Student Council, the student EcoThink Club, and the school's Green Team, led by parents and community members, have conducted and reported audits of lunch waste, selectively changed lightbulbs to save energy, and have created an arboretum. The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program recognizes schools for exceptional achievement in greening the facilities and grounds, conserving natural resources and integrating environmental education. Rieke is the eighth school in the United States to receive the Green Flag.
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