Sustainable Marin Schools

Mission Statement, Beliefs and Vision

​Our mission is to empower Marin County K-12 public schools to advance climate action and resilience by building a framework for sustainability, environmental literacy, and equity across the education system, from the student body to the Office of Education.

We believe that reducing carbon emissions in Marin schools is necessary to reach State and County Climate Action Goals, thereby reducing the worst impacts of climate change. Sustainable Marin Schools’ proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach provides the support that Marin County’s eighteen school districts need to become models of sustainability.

We envision a future where Marin’s over 30,000 students have the knowledge and skills to create a healthy, safe, and livable future. This new generation of environmentally literate and empowered global citizens will be ready to make their mark on a carbon-free future.

Our Focus

Sustainable Marin Schools provides the assistance necessary to capitalize on the immense potential that schools have, such as:

• Decreasing food and plastic waste
• Reducing carbon emissions through electrification and energy efficient buildings
• Increasing solar energy production and EV chargers
• Greening campuses by creating native plant habitats, improving water storage systems, and creating outdoor classroom
• Building resilience to extreme weather events to prevent learning loss and improve safety
• Educating a new generation of environmentally literate and empowered global stewards ready to make their mark on a carbon-free future.

SMS Programs

SMS supports schools with four core programs.

Zero Waste: Recycling, Composting, Waste Reduction, Reusable Foodwares, Training and Education

Energy Efficiency: Electrification, Energy Conservation, and Green Energy Production

Campus Greening/Resilience: Pollinator and Food Gardens, Native Habitat Restoration, Outdoor Classrooms/Canopy Cover, Asphalt Removal, Flooding Abatement, Wildfire Resilience

Environmental Education: Curriculum development, Climate Action Opportunities, Green Job Training