American Geosciences Institute

About: AGI plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s prosperity, use of resources, resilience to natural hazards, and the health of the planet. They produce and cultivate lessons, activities, and curricula for K-12 and informal earth science educators, and provide educator development and recognition opportunities.

How to pair with IGSP: Empower your students to explore stormwater issues, analyze available data, and design a rain garden to enhance local resilience through AGI's Resilience and Innovation in Nature-based Stormwater Solutions (RAINSS) pilot program. By signing up for both IGSP and the RAINSS programs, you can access the curriculum and design guidance of the RAINSS experts, and fund your designed garden through the Illinois Green Schools Project.

Center for Green Schools

About: The Center for Green Schools (CFGS) at the U.S. Green Building Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. We are driving change by working directly with those implementing sustainability within school systems - offering a wide array of education and training, peer networking and coaching, research, and advocacy to accelerate action.

How to pair with IGSP: Schools can participate in IGSP and also access federal funding, technical assistance and training opportunities specifically related to indoor air quality management planning from the CFGS and the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Schools Challenge (another EPA-funded program). Schools can also sign up for CFGS peer networks to connect with other champions for sustainable schools in their areas and access helpful education and resources.

Communities in Schools - Chicago

About: CIS Chicago works to ensure that every student, regardless of their identity, ability, or zip code, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond. They serve schools by connecting students to community-based student programs and Student Supports Managers. 

Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI)

About: EEAI nurtures and sustains a diverse network of environmental educators in Illinois. They foster connections, improve environmental literacy, and amplify underrepresented voices in the environmental education sphere. With a team of dedicated staff, engaged board, active facilitators, members and partners, EEAI offers support to a wide range of Illinois educators through professional development, grants, resources, and community. EEAI also runs the Earth Force Illinois program, supporting youth-adult partnerships to address environmental issues in their community through a structured process and grant support.

How to pair with IGSP: Stay up to date with Illinois-based teacher professional development opportunities and attend EEAI's Annual Conference, usually held in the spring!

Illinois Climate Education Hub

About: The Illinois Climate Education Hub is a free, one-stop website designed to support educators in bringing climate and sustainability topics into their classrooms with confidence. You do not need to be a climate expert. The Hub offers trusted, high-quality resources that are easy to integrate into existing instruction. All grades, all subjects, all students.

How to pair with IGSP: Supplement your sustainability project with free lesson plans and professional development opportunities from the Illinois Climate Education Hub!

NOAA - Ocean Guardian School Program

About: The NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program is managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. A NOAA Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.

How to pair with IGSP: Schools can sign up for both IGSP and the Ocean Guardian School Program's 6Rs (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle) Pathway or Schoolyard Garden/Habitat Pathway to create a sustainability project and receive additional sources of support, earn Guardian School Banners, and be eligible for the IGSP Mini Grant. Unfunded participation is offered through the NOAA Ocean Guardian School program for schools located outside of funded regions. 

Show-Me Green Schools

About: Show-Me Green Schools is a suite of three free programs co-managed by Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and Missouri Environmental Education Association, that provide structure, resources and recognition to support every Missouri and southern Illinois PreK-12 school in becoming a green school – no matter their starting place.

How to pair with IGSP: Schools in southern Illinois are eligible to sign up for both IGSP and a Show-Me Green Schools Program and can expect similar deliverables, along with additional opportunities for support, funding, and recognition. Sign up for their newsletter here!