Become a certified EcoSchool in NL!
Join the EcoSchools movement and lead your school towards environmental excellence.
Get StartedHey Newfoundland and Labrador! Ready to embark on an eco-journey?
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Join a thriving community of schools committed to sustainability and environmental education. Our innovative and bilingual certification program is free for publicly funded schools and helps to incentivize, track and reward environmental actions that reduce energy and waste, raise awareness and incorporate environmental learning into curriculum. |
Win a class trip to Petty Harbour!
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to experience sustainable fishing firsthand with Fishing for Success in Petty Harbour!
Enter for a chance to win a free field trip for your class, where you will experience the intangible cultural heritage of NL’s small-scale fishery. Bus transportation will be provided. How to enter:
Step 1: Go to app.ecoschools.ca and either register for an account or log in if you already have one.
Step 2: Add the new Sustainable Fishing action card to your EcoSchools plan by October 5, 2025.
EcoSchool Spotlight
Clarenville High School
Clarenville High School had an incredibly impactful 2024-2025 school year, driven by their student led Eco-STEM team! Their dedication to environmental initiatives and sustainability earned them a Platinum EcoSchool Certification!
Community Cleanup
Students planned and are tackling a Brickyard Land Reclamation Project by partnering with local organizations to restore a coastal area at the site of an old brick factory.
Active and Sustainable School Travel
The Eco-STEM Team launched a “car-pool to school” initiative, encouraging students to walk, bike, run, or carpool to school. Prizes donated by a local dealership boosted participation and promoted sustainable transportation in their community!
Active and Sustainable School Travel
The Eco-STEM Team launched a “car-pool to school” initiative, encouraging students to walk, bike, run, or carpool to school. Prizes donated by a local dealership boosted participation and promoted sustainable transportation in their community!
Environmental Fair or Conference
Four students traveled to Calgary, AB, for the Gener8 Summit, where they learned about the future of energy in Canada. They expanded their network, met other like-minded teams, and brought back valuable insights to continue their school’s impressive environmental initiatives.
EcoSchools Teachers Conference
October 16, 2025 | Corner Brook, NL
Curriculum linked initiatives and activities
Access Free Classroom Resources and Tools
Learn how to certify your school as an EcoSchool
- Thursday, October 16, 2025
- Glynmill Inn, 1B Cobb Ln
Corner Brook, NL
- Substitute coverage provided
- Lunch provided
- Limited travel reimbursement available
Book a free action workshop at your school!
Kick-off sustainability in your school with more than just a presentation. Take part in an EcoSchools Action Workshop to learn how students can take tangible steps to foster environmental action and learning at your school!
Workshop
Region & Location
Description
Exploring Wetlands
Most appropriate for:
Grades 3-6
Available Region:
Across Newfoundland
Location:
Classroom
Students connect with this important ecosystem by researching the species that call it home. This activity invites students to create a fact card for a wetland species, incorporate their card into a food chain, discuss interdependence, and spread awareness by displaying their cards for the whole school. Presented in collaboration with Nature NL.
School Ground Biodiversity
Most appropriate for:
Grades 4-12
Available Region:
St. John’s Metro Area
Location:
School grounds
Students will take a closer look at their school ground and discover the biodiversity that surrounds them. This hands-on experience will involve identifying plant species, learning about the value of native species, and how they are affected by invasives.
Eco-Friendly Foods
Most appropriate for:
Grades 6-12
Available Region:
St. John’s Metro Area
Location:
Kitchen or Classroom
Students explore the world of food sustainability with a recipe made using locally sourced ingredients. If there is kitchen access, students get hands-on experience cooking, otherwise, they participate in a tasting activity. Requires at least 90 minutes
Presented in collaboration with Fishing for Success. Availability limited.
Climate Leadership
Most appropriate for:
Grades K-12
Available Region:
Across Newfoundland
Location:
Classroom
Students explore the multifaceted topic of climate change. They engage in activities and conversations that build foundational skills for grasping climate basics, impacts, solutions and activism. This inspiring workshop invites youth to become the leaders of change.
Presented in collaboration with Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador.
Earn a Resilient St. John’s Badge!
Did you know the city of St. John’s has a Climate Plan outlining recommended mitigation and adaptation strategies for a sustainable future? Your school can contribute to the goals of the Resilient St. John’s plan by completing EcoSchools actions!
Earn a Resilient St. John’s badge for your school by completing at least one action from each of the categories below:
Climate Plan Categories
Choose an aligned EcoSchools Action
Affordable, Efficient Buildings for All
Transportation Transformation
Thriving Natural Environment and Agriculture
Low-waste Future
Check out the full Resilient St. John’s Climate Plan
EcoSchools Program FAQ
How does the program work?
Each year, you collaborate with key members of your school community (students, teachers, school administrators, custodians, and parents/guardians, etc.) to create an action plan and apply for certification by completing the actions outlined in the plan. Schools build an EcoTeam to accomplish each action and the results of each action are recorded in the online EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) to earn points. At the end of the school year, your certification application is assessed and a certification level ranging from Bronze to Platinum is awarded.
For more information, check out the Certification Guide and the What is Certification? page.
We want to become an EcoSchool! How do we get started?
First, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the program: What is Certification?
Once you’re familiar with the program, the next step will be to register on the EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) platform. See: New users – How to register
Then, you will be able to review the various EcoSchools actions and start curating your plan for the year.
What is the EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA)?
The EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) platform is where all schools start their EcoSchools applications each year. The application houses over 50 environmental and climate change actions with corresponding resources, and provides you the opportunity to curate a unique action plan that can be updated and revised throughout the year.
Schools and boards that have certified with the EcoSchools program in the past will notice the ECA offers a new and refreshed online application and certification experience.
The ECA is the culmination of over three years of consultation and development with stakeholders in the education and environment sectors and has led to a more flexible, customizable, data-driven, and accessible certification platform.
Key features of the ECA:
- The application is intuitive, easy to navigate, and more streamlined than ever before.
- There is no limit on the number of members that can be added to a school’s application, making collaboration between students, teachers, and other school community members easier than ever.
- Schools can develop their own yearly plan to meet the unique needs, interests, and priorities of their school and community.
- Schools can select from, and engage in, more than 50 environmental actions. From Pollinator Garden to Reduce Harmful Single-use Plastics; from Active and Sustainable School Travel to Create Your Own Action.
- All actions are connected to curriculum, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as relevant worksheets and resources.
- The platform tracks tailored and shareable metrics (such as waste diversion and greenhouse gas emissions) through a distinct Impact page.
- Schools track their impact over time on the platform and can compare their journey to other schools across the country.
How are schools recognized for their achievement?
Throughout the school year, schools complete actions in their online application and earn points towards their certification. The depth and extent of these completed environmental actions will determine the school’s final certification level.
There are four levels of certification a school can achieve: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Any school that creates a plan on the EcoSchools Certification Application but is unable to submit for certification (a minimum of 50 points) will be recognized as a Participant school.
When a school becomes a certified EcoSchool, they receive a digital certification seal that reflects their certification level. This seal can be displayed on a school’s website and social media accounts, in newsletters, in email signatures, and more.
Is there a fee for certification?
Certification is free for all publicly-funded schools in Canada.
Independent/private schools pay an annual fee to apply for certification and access the online EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA). This fee enables access to curriculum-linked resources and certification recognition materials. The annual fee also provides schools with access to certification support throughout the year from EcoSchools Canada staff.
School boards/districts can pay a small annual fee to become a Member Board or District, which includes access to an EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) administrator account, support tools and resources, and enhanced certification support and guidance from EcoSchools Canada staff. Visit the Board/District Membership page for more information.
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