Salisbury Academy announces its newest initiative, Project Green Space, which aims to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly school as well as conservation-minded citizens.

“Project Green Space is about sustainability within our facility as well as letting children engage with and experience the outdoors, teaching students to be good stewards of our natural resources,” said Head of School Beverly Fowler.

As part of the school’s strategic efforts in the areas of sustainability and environmental responsibility, Salisbury Academy has launched Project Green Space, an environmental education program that engages children with nature and produces environmentally conscious citizens.

Project Green Space will include the implementation of a revolving green fund to finance on-campus investments in clean energy and resource reduction. Through this fund, Salisbury Academy will be able to capture savings from lower utility bills and other resource-reduction programs, using that money to reinvest in more projects that reduce the school’s ecological footprint. School leaders are considering strategies including composting food waste and replacing conventional lighting with LED lights.

Another aspect of this initiative would be integrating an environmental education curriculum within the current academic program that will offer an interdisciplinary approach to multiple subject areas. Goals of this program include developing students’ awareness, appreciation, skills and commitment to address environmental issues.

Salisbury Academy will also partner with North Carolina State University’s College of Design on a collaborative design project for future outdoor enhancements to the school. School leaders will work with Professor Robin Moore through the Natural Learning Initiative program.

Moore has spent his career working in the field of landscape architecture as educator, researcher and consultant. He is an international authority on the design of children’s play and learning environments.

“This aspect of the project is about creating stimulating places for playing and learning,” Fowler said.

The school is also pursuing a North Carolina Green Schools certification.

Katie Farrrell, program director for North Carolina Green Schools, visited Salisbury Academy, presenting information to faculty and board members about how her organization can collaborate on such a project. North Carolina Green Schools encourages, supports and recognizes the efforts of all North Carolina schools that have taken strides to make their schools 21st century institutions of quality and sustainability.

Salisbury Academy is in the process of forming a green team made up of faculty and staff, parents, board members, and community leaders. “What really becomes important when considering projects like this is to actually do something green instead of just talking about it,” said Salisbury Academy board member Dr. Jon Wear. And that is just what Salisbury Academy plans to do.

This year at Bloom in Motion, the school’s flagship fundraiser, the annual Fund-A-Need campaign will raise money for Project Green Space. Attendees of the sixth annual evening gala will have the opportunity to be among the first to hear more about the project and contribute to the effort.