Empowering Students, Staff, and Communities for Sustainability

From February 17–19, 2026, school and sustainability leaders from across the country will gather in San Diego, California, for the 16th annual Green Schools Conference (GSC). We are proud to once again serve as a promotional partner for this event, which unites the green schools community to connect, collaborate, and accelerate progress.

The three-day conference will explore bold, practical solutions that advance whole-school and district sustainability, focusing on environmental impact, health and well-being, sustainability literacy, and systems change. Conference sessions will be offered through four education tracks:

• Sustainability Learning Beyond the Classroom
• Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Action
• Fostering a Culture of Sustainability
• Prioritizing Healthy, High-Performance Schools

Why Green Schools Matter

By modeling sustainability in their operations, design, and educational programs, schools can inspire students to imagine and invent solutions for a healthier, more sustainable future. Beyond students and teachers, schools influence their entire communities, helping to shape how people perceive their neighbors, institutions, and shared challenges.

“A green school is about more than curriculum and more than bricks and mortar. It’s a school where the community works together to support global sustainability and climate action. A green school prepares students to lead the world toward a healthier, cleaner, more sustainable future.”
 – The Center for Green Schools

As the host of the Eco-Schools program in the U.S., the National Wildlife Federation is encouraged to see a growing number of school districts build out community-supported, whole-school approaches to sustainability and environmental education.

At this year’s conference, staff from Fairfax County Public Schools will lead a session on February 18th, titled Empowering Educators: District-Level Models for Engaging PD, demonstrating how districts can design professional development that empowers teachers to embed sustainability into everyday learning. Participants will engage in a hands-on workshop to begin designing district-level programs that foster meaningful, student-driven sustainability learning, leaving with practical strategies to bring back to their own schools and communities.

Staff from the School District of Philadelphia and Boise School District will participate in a panel on February 18th focused on best practices for building a strong culture of leadership around school-level waste reduction in the cafeteria and classroom.

Austin Independent School District (AISD) will also contribute to the session Encouraging Bright Futures: Student Engagement in Solar Energy on the 18th, exploring how AISD is leveraging its growing solar infrastructure to reduce emissions and energy costs, while engaging students in learning and career pathways.

We are proud of our collaborative partnerships with Fairfax County Public Schools, the School District of Philadelphia, Boise School District, and Austin Independent School District.

As the Eco-Schools U.S. program expands its reach, and more districts collaborate to integrate sustainability across learning, operations, and community engagement, schools become hubs of environmental leadership and innovation—preparing students to take action while creating healthier, more resilient communities for all.

Whether you are a teacher, facilities leader, advocate, or designer, register today for GSC 2026 to connect, learn, and drive meaningful change!