Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Earns Prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Certification

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has earned Green Flag certification through the National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools program, achieving the organization's highest level of recognition during the school's first year of participation. Eco-Schools is an international program that promotes environmental education and climate action. Schools earn points by completing sustainability and conservation projects that can lead to Bronze, Silver or Green Flag certification. Zach Rittner, A.P.

Environmental Science teacher at the high school, stated: "Achieving Green Flag status in a school's first year is considered an uncommon accomplishment and reflects months of planning, collaboration and hands-on work by members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Environmental Club."

Throughout the year, students completed nine environmental initiatives. These included an Endangered Species Awareness campaign in partnership with Project Terrapin, where students educated peers about New Jersey's endangered diamondback terrapins while collecting measurement data on five hatchlings. Students designed and maintained a 14-by-14-foot Pollinator Garden featuring dozens of native plant species, including lanceleaf coreopsis, smooth blue aster and black-eyed Susan. Funding for the project was provided by the Educational Enrichment Foundation (EEF) of Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Graduating senior Emily Clarke led the creation of an Endangered Species Coloring Book featuring six at-risk animals, including the piping plover, bog turtle and eastern tiger salamander. Over a two-year period, Environmental Club members established a Schoolyard Pocket Forest by planting nearly 200 trees and shrubs, including several species of oak, smooth sumac, arrowwood viburnum and blackhaw viburnum. As part of the Bird-Friendly Schools initiative, students participated in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, identifying birds throughout the community and submitting observations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Jack Trojan led this project and also participated in this year's World Series of Birding. Another initiative, Fish Stewards, was coordinated by Nick Bizzarro through the school's participation in New Jersey Trout in the Classroom. Students maintained a 55-gallon aquarium throughout the school year before successfully releasing 89 trout fingerlings in June. Student leaders recognized for their efforts include Nicholas Bizzarro, Rebecca Greisman, Jude August,
Max Bickford and Sami Marcolinia, along with graduating seniors Emily Clarke, Sam Duque, Erica Giuliani, Ava LaHuta, Gio Martoccia, Daniela Paino, Emma Telpis, Jack Trojan and Kelsie Waldron. This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources. Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.

Photo credits: Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School