HISD and the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco Schools USA have teamed up to launch the third annual Green Schools Challenge in an effort to decrease the district’s energy consumption and increase environmental awareness.

The contest runs from Nov. 1 through April 30, 2016. Schools will have until Nov. 15 to sign up for the competition.

“The goal of the Green Schools Challenge is to get the students and staff thinking about the impact of their daily habits,” said HISD Energy and Sustainability Manager Kellie Williams. “Actions as simple as turning off the lights or closing the blinds before you leave the room add up over time and can overall reduce the district’s carbon footprint.”

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Schools that sign up will create Eco-Action teams comprised of students, teachers, administrators, non-teaching staff, parents and community members. As part of the challenge, facilities and school grounds will be measured on energy-saving initiatives such as water conservation, single-stream recycling, energy efficiency, and community engagement.

In addition, HISD Facilities Services will award a beautification project to each of the top three award-winning NWF Eco-Schools with the highest reduced electricity consumption. The winners will be announced in May 2016.

The 2015-2016 Challenge will focus on campus involvement in the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools program,” Williams said. “We hope to integrate sustainability with the curriculum and student experience.”

To register a campus for the Green Schools Challenge and to learn more about the Eco-Schools program, please visit houstonisd.org/greenschools.