Maryland Green Center Certification is a way to recognize and honor a facility’s efforts in implementation of environmental education, best management practices and community engagement.  Centers offer support to schools working toward certification as Maryland Green Schools.  Centers educate schools, teachers and parents about the Maryland Green School Program Their staff and volunteers assist schools in fulfilling the requirements to earn the award. There are 32 Certified Maryland Green Centers. The certification is valid for four years.

Support of schools in their efforts to become Maryland Green Schools:

• Provide information about the MD GS program ("champions" the MD GS model)
• Works closely with schools to guide its MD GS application process
• Contributes to a specific school's MD GS award application
• Provides programmatic support for MD GS activities (see MD GS application for schools)
• Provides direct instruction that is related to a MD GS project at a school/community
• Hosts MD GS activities at the center
• Partners with the school for solutions to environmental issues in the community
• Provides focused In-service or professional development for teachers
• Provides financial support and/or assists with grant writing
• Provides materials, trees, plants, etc.
• Provides technical support for planning and implementation
• Provides "hand holding" for those schools w/teachers who are new to all of this
• Provides contacts and connections to the appropriate resources

Model environmental best management practices ( BMPs) in the building and site:

• Models the 7 BMPs listed on the Green Center application
• Includes maintenance staff in planning and implementing the BMPs

Support community environmental learning:

• Is active in the community
• Provides program to serve the community
• Partners with schools for action in the community
• Partners with the community to work on environmental issues at the school

Detailed Program Guide

Contact MAEOE at greenschools@maeoe.org for more information