DEARBORN — Just in time for Earth Day on Saturday, Wayne County and Wayne County RESA are recognizing 14 Dearborn Public Schools this year as Green Schools for their work on environmental initiatives.

To be recognized, schools must complete several earth-friendly items from a list, including recycling, energy conservation, environmental protection and more.  Schools get points based on how many projects they take on.

All of the work needs to be documented by the school’s green team leader and the appropriate forms and information have to be submitted to Wayne County each year.

Green Schools score 10 to 14 points, Emerald Schools 15 to 19 points and Evergreen Schools 20 or more points.

Many of the schools recognized in Dearborn have been Green Schools at some level for more than a decade.

Evergreen Schools for the 2022-23 school year include DuVall Elementary (15 years), Henry Ford Elementary (14 years), Haigh Elementary (13 years), O.L. Smith Middle (13 years), Miller Elementary (13 years), River Oaks Elementary (13 years) and Snow Elementary (eight years).

Schools achieving Emerald level include Cotter Early Childhood (12 years), Howe Elementary (14 years) and Nowlin Elementary (three years).

Other Green Schools in the district include Woodworth Middle (seven years), Lowrey School (12 years), Bryant Middle (15 years) and Howard Elementary (15 years).

While schools may shift between levels over the years, all have shown a commitment to the Green School Program and to getting students involved in hands-on environmental activities.  Activities are only counted if they are unique to that school, not a district-wide initiative such as installing more efficient lighting.

Michigan officially created the Green School Program in 2010 with Public Act 301, but Wayne County’s Green Schools Program began before the state law.