Environmental consultants Mary Ann Boyer and Anne Sudduth joined about a dozen Abington Friends faculty members from all three divisions for a presentation about sustainable projects at “green schools” and a brainstorming session about what the AFS Outside Committee might tackle next.

Rosanne Mistretta, AFS Outside director, opened the meeting on December 13 by reading the program’s mission statement, and then said, “I really think we are ready to take the next step here at the school” and focus on environmental sustainability. Part of this, she said, is lifting up and highlighting all of the great things that have already been accomplished, including work on the new Headwaters Discovery Playground, the partnership with the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed, the rain garden and riparian buffer.

The consultants outlined the steps needed to achieve “green school” status. Part of their presentation highlighted initiatives at other schools that have significantly reduced their waste stream.

The AFS Outside Committee members then divided up into small groups to discuss the successful environmental programs under way at AFS, the challenges that might lie ahead and some “blue sky” initiatives.

“This is just the beginning of the conversation,” Rosanne said later. “I hope everybody goes back to their respective divisions and thinks about ways to involve every part of our community in our discussions about environmental action.”