NEST hosts District 203, 204 representatives to discuss sustainable schools

Naperville school Districts 203 and 204 are ranked in the top 15 best school districts in Illinois, according to Niche.com. But, are they energy efficient, reducing waste, and supporting natural resources?

At an upcoming NEST community meeting, Naperville and Aurora residents and students can hear representatives from both districts discuss efforts to make their operations more sustainable.

NEST has invited Melanie Brown, Naperville Unit District 203 buildings and grounds administrator, and Matthew Shipley, Indian Prairie Unit District 204’s chief business officer, to speak about school sustainability at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at the Naperville Municipal Center’s lower-level lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St.

A NEST Youth Team member and junior at Metea Valley High School says, “I’ve learned most of my life skills and habits from school, since I’ve spent pretty much my entire childhood and early adolescence there. If my school models sustainability and climate-conscious practices, it will help encourage students to do the same!”

Attendees at the Feb. 19 program will have the opportunity to learn how the school districts are modeling sustainability and where they can work to improve.

In 2023, NEST Youth Team members conducted a survey of more than 1,100 fellow students, teachers, and parents to determine the level of interest in sustainable initiatives such as solar panels on school roofs, electric buses, efficient heating and cooling, composting, and more. Survey results indicate strong support for these initiatives.

Attendees are invited to RSVP on the NEST website, sustainnaperville.org. The meeting will be held in-person with an option to join via Zoom.

NEST is an all-volunteer organization with a mission to advise city government, residents, and businesses on actions to reduce carbon pollution and protect the environment. For more information about NEST, contact info@sustainnaperville.org or visit sustainnaperville.org.