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Sustainability

Planning for sustainability is a statewide concern; school communities can play a critical role when they coordinate local school design with appropriate state and local agencies.

A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy: Educating Every Student In, About, and For the Environment
This report of Superintendent Torlakson's Environmental Literacy Task Force, with recommendations on learning environments, was released on September 15, 2015.

Fact Sheet for Sustainable Communities and School Planning (PDF)

Division of the State Architect External link opens in new window or tab.
Resources on compliance with the CALGreen Code and Energy Code.

Drought Response Best Practices and Resources

Creating Age-Friendly Communities with Green Infrastructure External link opens in new window or tab. (Video; 1:31:20)
April, 2024 joint webinar by CDE, Green Schoolyards America, and the National Housing Trust.

Designing and Constructing Sustainable Facilities and Outdoor Spaces Online External link opens in new window or tab. (Video; 2:03:21)
Sep 2022 joint webinar by CDE, OPSC< DSA, CDF and CalFire on planning and design of sustainable facilities and outdoor spaces.

Introducing the California Schoolyard Forest System Webinar External link opens in new window or tab.(Video; 58:45)
Oct 2022 joint presentation by CDE, Green Schoolyards America, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and Ten Strands.

Questions:   School Facilities & Transportation Services Division | sftsd@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-2470
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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