The Green Schools Conference, presented by The Center for Green Schools and Green Schools National Network, is a three-day conference that brings together everyone involved in creating and advocating for green schools, with a focus on those leading their schools and school systems toward whole-school sustainability.
The 2024 conference was held in Santa Fe from March 5-7 and highlighted many of Santa Fe Public Schools environmentally friendly initiatives.
Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez spoke at the Green Schools Conference on March 7, welcoming the attendees to Santa Fe and spoke about Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) sustainability efforts.
“Since 2010, we’ve reduced 75 percent of water usage, we’ve reduced 30 percent of waste that is sent to the landfill and we’ve produced 25 percent of our own electricity, which continues to increase,” Chavez said. “We also have the first electric school bus in the state of New Mexico running routes. We’re hoping in two months to have three additional school buses running routes and by the end of the academic year we hope to have four more [electric buses] for a total of eight.”
Superintendent Chavez highlighted Milagro Middle School, which produces 75 percent of their own electricity. Attendees of the Green Schools Conference toured Milagro and were able to see some of the school’s green initiatives.
“It is a unified vision between the board, the community, and the Santa Fe Public Schools,” Chavez said. “I think we’re making a difference and we are one of the leaders, not just in the state of New Mexico, but around the nation.”
He encouraged conference attendees to continue their fight for green initiatives in their school districts and to take back what they learned from SFPS.
“When you invest in green schools and invest in sustainability, you are investing in your workforce, and you’re investing in your students,” Chavez said.
Following Chavez’s speech, the Youth Climate Action panel took the conference stage. The panel, which was comprised of four dynamic youth climate activists, featured Carmen Valentino – a sophomore from the Academy for Technology and the Classics.
Valentino, alongside the other panels, shared unique perspectives and experiences in environmental advocacy, community organizing, climate storytelling, and intragenerational collaborations for successful climate action.
“I think it’s very important that schools approach climate change through a multidisciplinary lens to engage as many students as possible” Valentino said. “We all have something to contribute and that’s exactly what [the Climate Innovation Challenge Youth Advisory Board] is about, starting where you are, exploring your own talents and interests and then figuring out how you can contribute to finding climate change solutions.”
Lisa Randall, former SFPS Sustainability Program Coordinator who retired in 2023, was also honored during the conference with the “Best of Green Schools Award” for the School District Champion category.
“The important work of ensuring that our schools are models of sustainability—decreasing environmental footprint, increasing health and wellness, and increasing sustainability literacy—requires the tireless work of individual changemakers,” said Anisa Heming, Director of the Center for Green Schools. “While she worked at Santa Fe Public Schools, Lisa Randall built a solid foundation for the district to achieve its goals, and this award acknowledges the leadership position that her work earned her on the national stage. We are grateful for her dedication.”