The Brent Schoolyard Green Team’s mission is to promote environmental learning opportunities and enhance the health and sustainability of Brent Elementary.   Our most recent accomplishment includes the successful installation of a bio retention swale or rain garden that replaced 2,500 square feet of asphalt. The native soil and plants planted along the playground now process, purify, and retain up to one inch of storm water, keeping pollutants out of the watershed in our highly urban neighborhood. Storm water washes over 70,000 tons of trash, sediment and toxic pollution into District Rivers every year.

We now have more shades on the sides of the building which reduce cooling demands. The new native plants and a functioning urban ecosystem have been incorporated into our curriculum. Students and teachers spend time leaning math outside by measuring and graphing changes in conditions. These improvements save additional energy by reducing the amount of storm water entering the combined sewer system thereby reducing pump and purification loads at the water treatment plant.

Our teaching staff is currently participating in workshops offered by the District Department of the Environment. Our outdoor area is a certified wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and our butterfly garden is registered as a Monarch Conservation Way Station. We have recently started a recycling program and have provided bins, training and materials to our custodians, teachers and students. The students have taken the lead and are running the program, demanding more from their teachers, parents and peers.

We have big plans for the future including greener infrastructure, increased awareness of our footprint and changing behavior for a more sustainable future. We are applying for a green roof and have plans to be a leading example of a green school.