Congratulations to Midland School for receiving the prestigious Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. The award represents California’s highest environmental honor.

GEELA “recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.”

From Midland’s statement (Midland School Awarded California’s Highest Environmental Honor):

Will Graham, Midland Head of School explained, “This honor recognizes Midland School’s long standing commitment to develop well educated college-bound students that understand the connections between environmental protection and social responsibility…Midland has an obligation to our families and community to protect our natural resources and environment for generations to come… (MPR)

“…Midland’s founders, Paul and Louise Squibb, saw in the lean economic times of the Depression an opportunity to teach honest, essential values within a rigorous academic curriculum – doing more with less, distinguishing between needs and wants, and working to meet basic needs. In Midland’s early years, these values reflected necessity, economy, and the intentional development of character and community. Now, it’s clear that distinguishing between needs and wants is the starting point of a meaningful conservation ethic. In this realm, Midland stands out as a pioneering environmental leader among schools.” (MPR)

Lise Goddard, Midland’s Director of Environmental Programs,  “The genius of the Squibbs was in making our relationships with our resources transparent. Working to heat shower water with wood fires, exploring the outdoors and placing oneself on a topographic map, washing community dishes, tending a garden, or installing solar panels puts people in the cycle of life and materials,” said “At Midland, the fruits and the waste of our labors are right there in front of us, where we’re more likely to take responsibility than we would by just flipping a switch to get what we need.”(MPR)

Photo credit: GEELA