Making green schools a reality

The annual Green Schools Conference (GSC) brings together everyone involved in creating and advocating for green schools, with a focus on those leading their schools and school systems toward whole-school sustainability.

View the 2024 post-show report

GSC is presented by the Center for Green Schools in partnership with the Green Schools National Network.

CFGS
GSNN

2025 Program Advisors

  • Riliwan Abioye
  • Fran Agnone
  • Olukayode Apata
  • Rebecca Baibak
  • Richard Benjamin
  • Olufunke Benson
  • Gabriella Bermea
  • Paul Bocko
  • Lorna Bravo
  • Lori Brown
  • Sarah Chatel
  • Tony Colaneri
  • Robert Douglass
  • Michelle Faggert
  • Lauren Flood
  • Karin Goldmark
  • Emily Guerra
  • Brendan Haggerty
  • Jessica Hawkins
  • Jill Heins Nesvold
  • Meredith Hendricks
  • Samantha Hudson
  • Sarah Koning
  • Laurel Kruke
  • Shivani Langer
  • Stephanie Omakwu
  • Esther Oyedele
  • Annie Perkins
  • Suraj Rahmon
  • Urmi Ray
  • Deborah Rogers
  • Sionainn Rudek
  • Edouard Salomon
  • Jon Schroeder
  • Deborah Stadler
  • Mark Swiger
  • Timothy Unruh
  • Pegah Zamani
  • Co-Chair: Anisa Heming, Center for Green Schools
  • Co-Chair: Jenny Seydel, Green Schools National Network

Children's Privacy Policy

USGBC provides additional privacy protections when children under 13 visit the website. We do not knowingly collect, maintain or store personal information from or about children under the age of 13 without a parent's and/or legal guardian's consent, except in limited circumstances authorized by law and described in this notice. If You are under the age of 18, please read this privacy policy with a parent or legal guardian. If You are under the age of 13, We must have Your parent's or legal guardian's consent before collecting any personal information. Information collected from children consists of data including name, age, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates. This information is used to help students register and participate in webinars and access educational courses, and notify students and their parents and/or guardians of opportunities supportive of the educational mission of USGBC. We do not require a child to disclose more information than is reasonably necessary to participate in the foregoing activities. We do not disclose information collected from children to unaffiliated third parties. Parents and legal guardians may review personal information We have collected about their child, request deletion or refuse to allow further collection or use of the information. To do so, please contact USGBC, 2101 L Street NW, St. 500, Washington, D.C. 20037 or [email protected].

Call for Proposals & Reviewers for the 2026 Green Schools Conference is now open!

Each year, the Green Schools Conference (GSC) brings together passionate leaders and advocates from across the globe to learn, connect, and advance the shared mission of green schools for all. As the only national event dedicated to uniting those who lead, operate, build, and teach in sustainable schools, GSC offers a powerful platform for skill-building, in-depth dialogue, and inspiration.

The 2026 Green Schools Conference will be held in late February in San Diego, California — and now is your chance to help shape the program.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Call for Proposals for education sessions! We invite you to submit a proposal to share your effective strategies, partnerships, research, and lessons learned in the work of building greener, healthier, more equitable schools. We’re seeking innovative, inclusive, and inspiring sessions that push the conversation forward.

In addition, we’re also looking for reviewers to help evaluate session proposals and ensure the 2026 program reflects the diverse voices and experiences of the green schools community.

Submit your proposalApply to be a reviewer

Sustainability at GSC

Sustainability is the foundation of the Green Schools Conference (GSC). The GSC sustainability program addresses environmental impact through seven objectives.

Seven objectives of the GSC sustainability program

  1. Move toward a zero-waste event
  2. Increase stakeholder education and engagement
  3. Improve sustainable sourcing
  4. Improve performance tracking
  5. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  6. Positively impact communities
  7. Catalyze the advancement of green building initiatives and sustainable operations within the hospitality industry

2025 goals

  1. Encourage, celebrate, and facilitate attendees’ commitments to making sustainable choices onsite.
  2. Source 35% or more of the event’s food & beverage regionally (within 500 miles) and ensure all event materials are sustainably sourced
  3. Set baseline goals for future events by reporting on 2025 actuals related to food & beverage sourcing and waste diversion
  4. Increase education around sustainable attendee travel, and support carpooling and shuttling efforts
  5. Build a bridge between conference partners to increase sustainable operations in the City of Orlando
  6. Support the local community through donations and inclusion of biophilic elements

2025 Partners