CT Green LEAF Schools Now Aligned with SustainableCT’s Green Schools Action

The Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (COEEA) is excited to share that our CT Green LEAF Schools program is now officially aligned with SustainableCT through their new Action 8.8: Earn a Green Schools Designation.

This new alignment creates a meaningful opportunity for Connecticut schools and municipalities to work together to advance sustainability, environmental literacy, and student well-being.

What this new alignment means

Through SustainableCT’s Action 8.8, municipalities can now earn SustainableCT certification points by supporting local schools as they work toward or maintain a Green Schools designation through the CT Green LEAF Schools program.

CT Green LEAF Schools is a Connecticut-based program that supports K–12 schools in:

• Reducing environmental impact

• Improving health and wellness

• Strengthening environmental education across school culture and curriculum

By aligning CT Green LEAF Schools with SustainableCT, this action recognizes the essential role schools play in building healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities.

Why this matters for schools and towns

This alignment helps strengthen connections between schools and municipalities by:

• Providing schools with a clear pathway to earn a recognized Green Schools designation

• Allowing municipalities to receive SustainableCT credit by partnering with their local schools

• Encouraging collaboration around energy, waste reduction, outdoor learning, and environmental stewardship

• Supporting student learning while advancing local sustainability and climate goals

For communities already participating in SustainableCT, Action 8.8 offers a practical and impactful way to engage schools in municipal sustainability efforts.

Working together for a more sustainable Connecticut

COEEA is proud to support educators, school communities, and municipal leaders across the state in this shared work. We see this alignment as an important step in strengthening environmental education and sustainability efforts at both the school and community level.

Learn more

• CT Green LEAF Schools: https://www.coeea.org/ct-green-leaf-schools

• SustainableCT: https://sustainablect.org

• Action 8.8: https://sustainablect.org/actions-certifications/actions#open/action/91

Schools and municipalities interested in participating are encouraged to explore how this new alignment can support their sustainability goals.