Leaders Gather for PGCPS’ 3rd Annual Sustainability and Climate Leadership Workshop

On May 27, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) welcomed educators, students, sustainability professionals, and regional partners to the 3rd Annual Sustainability and Climate Leadership Workshop: From Commitment to Implementation at the Patuxent Research Refuge National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, Maryland.

The workshop brought together PGCPS staff, peer school districts, and community partners for a day of collaboration, learning, and action-oriented discussion focused on advancing sustainability and addressing climate change in schools. Through expert-led panels and interactive breakout sessions, participants explored practical strategies for turning sustainability commitments into measurable results.

Moving Beyond Plans to Action  

The workshop centered on a critical question facing school systems across Maryland and the nation: How do organizations move from sustainability planning to meaningful implementation?

Participants received updates on the evolving legislative and funding landscape, learned about emerging opportunities from sustainability experts, and shared lessons learned from climate action initiatives already underway. The conversations emphasized that while commitments are essential, lasting progress depends on sustained action, collaboration, and innovation.

“Commitment gets us to the starting line, but execution crosses the finish line. True sustainability practices and climate action require continuous, collective effort. That is why PGCPS hosts this annual forum: to unite students, peers, and partners. Together, we share triumphs, navigate challenges, and build the momentum needed to secure a thriving, sustainable future for our children and communities.” 

– Dorothy Morrison, Director of the PGCPS Department of Sustainability and Resilience and event organizer

Expert Perspectives and Regional Collaboration

The day opened with a keynote presentation, State of Sustainability and Climate Action for Maryland Schools, delivered by Laura Collard, Executive Director of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Her remarks provided valuable insight into statewide progress and opportunities for advancing environmental education and climate resilience.

“Environmental literacy is a key element of strategic infrastructure, reducing operational costs; strengthening teacher recruitment and retention; boosting student engagement, well-being, and academic outcomes; and building partnerships.”

– Laura Collard, MAEOE

The first panel, From Plan to Practice: What We’ve Learned, featured Donald Bell, PGCPS Science Supervisor, alongside Sheila Stevens and Christina Garcia-Starling from the PGCPS Department of Sustainability and Resilience. Panelists reflected on implementation successes, challenges, and lessons learned from putting sustainability plans into action.

Regional collaboration took center stage during Operationalizing Sustainability and Climate Action: Examples from Across LEAs, where representatives from Calvert County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, and Montgomery County Public Schools shared innovative approaches and practical solutions being implemented within their districts.

Elevating Student Voices

One of the workshop’s highlights was Climate Action: Student Engagement, a panel showcasing the important role students play in shaping sustainability efforts. Board Member Pamela Boozer-Strother joined student members of the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Ad-Hoc Committee, including Mikal Witherspoon of the Academy of Health Sciences @ PGCC, Maya Gudderra of Oxon Hill High School, and Olivia Thomas of Charles H. Flowers High School.

The student panelists shared their perspectives on climate leadership, advocacy, and the importance of ensuring that young people remain active partners in developing solutions for a more sustainable future.

“I was drawn into developing the CCAP because it was an opportunity to share my perspective as a student – especially because that perspective is very important in the conversation.”

– Mikal Witherspoon, Student

Hands-On Learning and Practical Solutions  

In the afternoon, participants selected from three breakout sessions designed to provide actionable tools and strategies:

• Thinking Big: Commitment into Action, led by James Roberson of the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center, explored ways to transform sustainability goals into impactful programs and initiatives.
• Emissions Reductions, facilitated by Kristen Keim of the Maryland Energy Administration, focused on strategies for decarbonizing school operations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Operations and Maintenance, led by Anisa Heming of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, examined best practices for integrating sustainability into daily facility management and operations.

Building Momentum for the Future

As sustainability and climate challenges continue to evolve, workshops like this one provide an essential platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating progress. By bringing together educators, students, government agencies, and community organizations, PGCPS continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating healthier, more resilient schools and communities.

The 3rd Annual Sustainability and Climate Leadership Workshop reinforced a clear message: meaningful climate action happens when commitment is paired with collaboration, innovation, and implementation. Through collective effort, Maryland’s schools are building the foundation for a more sustainable future – one action at a time.

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