Arlington Elementary School in Lexington, Ky., has a school garden that is used as a living laboratory where students explore seeds, animal habits, and the butterfly life cycle. Teachers at the school also integrate lessons on sustainability throughout the curriculum and in after-school programs.

Polk Middle School in Albuquerque, N.M., has a large school farm that provides fresh produce to students and families experiencing food insecurity. The farm is also used for learning projects and as a meeting space for school and community events.

The effort to provide students with access to hands-on environmental education is why Arlington and Polk were are among the schools recently selected by the U.S. Department of Education as Green Ribbon schools for 2024. The award highlights 41 schools, as well as school districts and postsecondary institutions, for their dedication to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.

“They have worked hard to weave sustainability into their school’s culture, and those efforts are paying off,” said Albuquerque Schools Acting Superintendent Gabriella Blakey in a news release. “The work happening at Polk is amazing, and I’m proud of the students and staff. They deserve this recognition.”

In addition to Arlington and Polk, Sally Ride Elementary School in Orlando; Green Woods Charter School in Philadelphia; Hawthorne Elementary School and Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts in Milwaukee; Marie Reed Elementary in Washington, D.C., Park Forest Middle Creative Sciences and Arts Magnet and Eva Legard Center for Costal and Environmental Studies in East Baton Rouge; and Frank D Spaziano Elementary School and William D’Abate Elementary School in Providence, R.I., were recognized.

The honorees were selected from a pool of candidates nominated by 24 states. Recipients of the award will attend a ceremony in Washington D.C., where they will receive a plaque and have their work celebrated.