In 2017, New Mexico’s Albuquerque Public Schools opened Coyote Willow Family School with a school design and operation focused on increasing energy efficiencies. The school includes programs and curricula that incorporate principles of environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Coyote Willow was one of 39 schools recently selected by the U.S. Department of Education as 2020 Green Ribbon Schools and District Sustainability awardees for their commitment to healthy, safe, and sustainable learning environments. The awards honored 39 schools as well as 11 school districts, and five postsecondary institutions for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.   

In addition to Coyote Willow, Lincoln Avenue Elementary School in Milwaukee,  Hawaii’s SEEQS: The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability, Ocean View Elementary in Norfolk, Va., and Highland Elementary School in Florida’s School District of Palm Beach were the other-big-city schools recognized.

Also receiving an award was Seattle Public Schools. The district has focused on installing energy-efficient systems in new and existing buildings and 80 percent of its schools have onsite learning gardens or regular off-site environmental learning options.