The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) honors schools that are working to include environmental literacy in their curricula through the Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program.
As the Commonwealth’s official environmental education school recognition program, the Virginia Naturally School Program honors exemplary efforts undertaken to increase environmental awareness and stewardship among K-12 students, reported statewide wildlife education coordinator Courtney Hallacher.
Environmental education efforts also support the Virginia Department of Education’s Profile of a Virginia Graduate by developing students’ communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking and civic responsibility, said Hallacher.
Schools were evaluated based on two criteria:
• Authentic, hands-on, real-world learning that takes place in the classroom, emphasizes environmental/sustainable education and includes civic engagement and/or STEM connections.
• Learning that expands beyond the classroom setting to connect back to what students are learning in the classroom.
Local schools
Local schools receiving recognition for the 2025-26 academic session include the Chesapeake Bay Governors School (CBGS), for the 18th year. CBGS serves sophomores, juniors and seniors from 14 participating public school systems in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck at….
