Education and awareness play a critical role in creating a sustainable future — but it also requires action.

That’s why this April, HISD’s Energy and Sustainability department is asking campuses to show appreciation for the planet by taking the 2021 Earth Month pledge and participating in eco-friendly activities.

“Our students are global citizens. It’s important for them to learn about our planet and how they can help take care of it,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “Earth Month gives us the opportunity to highlight our efforts to reduce our environmental impact while also promoting sustainable behaviors inside and outside the classroom.”

Campuses that take the pledge are encouraged to participate in designated Earth Month activities. They earn points for completed activities, which range from tallying the number of students who walked or biked to school to writing essays on the meaning of sustainability.

The campus earning the most points will receive access to the comprehensive, bilingual, K-12 Sustainability Intelligence Curriculum and Design Studio from EcoRise. Additionally, students who complete one or more Eco-Audits from the curriculum are eligible to apply for up to $500 per project to support green campus projects and initiatives.

“We want students and staff to realize that even small changes in habits can make a big difference for the environment,” Energy and Sustainability Quality Assurance Analyst Stephanie Walker said. “It’s important that we all do our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle to make a difference for our future generation.”

Earth Month pledges must be submitted by Thursday, April 1. All activities must be completed and submitted by Wednesday, April 28. A winner will be announced on Friday, April 30.

For more information and contest rules, visit HoustonISD.org/GoGreen or email Sustainability@HoustonISD.org.