The Green School Initiative for Sustainable Development is about actively educating the Galapagos community in efforts to preserve the natural wonders of the Islands.  We start with the schools because the children can take home what they’ve learned to their parents and families.

The goal is to have healthier students learning and living in a healthier environment.

Galapagos ICE helps the school to start the initiative but the school itself must commit to the project, take ownership of it and execute it themselves.  Galapagos ICE is proudly working with Tomas de Berlanga School who has already started the Green School Initiative and has created a Green School Committee consisting of teachers, students, and administration.  Tomas de Berlanga is a private school located in Bellavista, Santa Cruz Island.  The school is supported by student tuition, individual donations and also receives a lot of support from the Scalesia Foundation, the school also offers scholarships for local students.  As stated by Sheila Roberts, the Director of the school “Galapagos can and should be an inspiration in sustainability for the rest of the world.  At Tomas de Berlanga School we believe we can represent a model of success.”

Water

The water in the Galapagos Islands is brackish and disease-ridden and costly. For example, one broken toilet in a school caused the water bill to double. Galapagos ICE helps to install rainwater catchment systems which provide water in an environmentally friendly and economical way. Rainwater can be used for the toilets and washrooms to provide water cheaply and efficiently. We also aim to install more efficient toilets and taps that automatically switch off to reduce water waste.

Electricity

We encourage schools to use electricity more efficiently. This can involve simple measures such as putting up signs to remind kids to switch off the lights when they leave. We also work to create Green I.T. rooms with computers that use electricity more efficiently.

Recycling

Though all schools have a recycling program, the Green School Initiative includes a recycling program to encourage kids to think about the volume of paper and packaging they use and to consider what materials can be recycled and reused.

Green Environment

Galapagos ICE installs organic gardens and even greenhouses in schools to teach kids about growing vegetables and to take that knowledge home.

We have also had volunteer groups who have planted around the school for a greener environment and who have installed eco-playgrounds made from recycled materials such as old tires.

 

 

Education about the Environment

We encourage teaching about the environment to be included in all aspects of the school curriculum from Mathematics to English classes. For example, we have developed a Galapagos Animal Alphabet to teach kids about where they live while they are learning to read at the same time.