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DWR Recognizes Schools for the Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program
Richmond, VA — The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Virginia Naturally Schools is the official environmental education school recognition program of the Commonwealth. The goal of the program is to recognize those exemplary efforts undertaken by Virginia schools to increase the environmental awareness and stewardship of its students. The schools’ environmental efforts also support the Virginia Department of Education’s Profile of a Virginia Graduate through the development of the students’ communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking, and civic responsibility.
The Virginia Naturally Schools Program recognized 48 schools for their efforts during the 2022-23 school year. Sixteen schools were recognized for the first time since the recognition program’s inception in 2000 and the remaining schools received repeated recognition for their continued progression. Three schools earned their 22nd year of recognition. Combined these schools reached over 33,000 students across the Commonwealth during the last school year!
If your school has already been working to include education about the environment in the curriculum, consider applying for the Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program next spring. This is not a one-time award but one upon which you may build and achieve additional recognitions each year you participate.
For more information on the Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program, visit: dwr.virginia.gov/education/school-recognition/.