Student Life

Environmental Stewardship

Palmer Trinity Preps for the Planet
Palmer Trinity School believes schools have a special role and responsibility in confronting the challenges of climate change and environmental stewardship. The school is dedicated to addressing these issues both inside and outside the classroom. We are working to create replicable models of how schools can engage their entire community in implementing innovative and economically viable solutions that build a healthier, more sustainable campus. These green initiatives help Palmer Trinity School achieve its goals of promoting a cultural change within the school and becoming a sustainable school for the long term.
Vision
Sustainability at PTS is a group of students, teachers, and staff working together to achieve an environmentally sustainable future. We envision a world in which a respect for our planet and its inhabitants comes naturally to all members of our community.

Rationale
Schools are beginning to recognize the need to reflect the reality that humanity is affecting the environment in ways which are historically unprecedented and which are potentially devastating for both natural ecosystems and humankind. Schools are uniquely positioned to influence the direction we choose to take as a society. As major contributors to the values, health, and well-being of society, schools have a fundamental responsibility to teach sustainability. We believe that the success of schools in the twenty-first century will be judged by our ability to make sustainability and the environment a cornerstone of education (adapted from www.ulsf.org).

For further information, please contact Dr. Leopoldo Llinás at lllinas@palmertrinity.org.
Mission
  • To educate and empower students to embrace an environmentally healthy, socially just, and economically viable lifestyle.
  • To create replicable models of how schools can engage their entire community around implementing innovative and economically viable solutions that build a healthier, more sustainable campus.
  • To reduce the school’s carbon footprint in the short term and achieve carbon neutrality in the long term.
Values
  • Community – we work together to bring forth a sustainable global society.
  • Stewardship – we take ownership and responsibility for improving our natural and social environment.
  • Citizenship – we possess the strength of character and the courage to do what is right.
Objectives
  • Create healthy learning environments that connect students with nature.
  • Provide students with the knowledge, values, long-term vision, and skills to live sustainably.
  • Reduce Palmer Trinity School’s environmental footprint over time.
  • Involve all members of the school community to help set and meet our sustainability goals.

Programs

List of 8 items.

  • Bottle-less Water Purification Systems

    Palmer Trinity School is committed to minimizing plastic waste. We use bottle-less water purification systems to meet your water consumption needs. These systems provide a healthier, more sustainable, and safer alternative to traditional bottled water. Bottle-less water purification systems eliminate the waste and environmental degradation associated with the transport, delivery and disposal of plastic water bottles.
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  • Butterfly Garden

    In the Butterfly Garden, visitors learn about plants which attract butterflies, how to improve butterfly populations, and general conservation practices. By planting a variety of host plants, Palmer Trinity School provides nectar-rich sources for butterflies and food for their caterpillars while the community enjoys watching them grow and transform into adult butterflies. The Butterfly Garden furnishes a wonderful learning environment for our students.

  • Carbon Footprint Reduction Commitment

    In 2009, Palmer Trinity School joined the Green Schools Alliance (GSA), an alliance of K through 12 public, private, and independent schools united to take action on climate change and the environment. The school is committed to reducing its carbon footprint over time.

  • Community Service

    Palmer Trinity School is dedicated to increasing sustainability efforts on campus and in the community. Students organize various earth-friendly service projects including beach clean-up, mangrove planting, dune restoration, and pine rockland workdays to name just a few of the opportunities/projects offered at the school.

  • Coral Lab

    The Coral Lab is a center for education, training, and research in marine biology. An essential part of the lab’s mission is to provide students with hands-on experience by conducting research both in the laboratory and out in the field. Teachers and students form partnerships to study the diverse and abundant marine organisms found in the ocean and solve complex environmental problems. Students take responsibility for their own learning and growth as they create their own curriculum.

  • Dream in Green

    In 2012, Palmer Trinity School joined Dream in Green by participating in the Green Schools Challenge. The mission of Dream in Green is to: 1) develop and implement environmental educational programs that promote energy and water conservation and efficiency, environmental sustainability, and the use of renewable energy; and 2) raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental and energy issues confronting local and global communities. To learn more about Dream in Green click here.

  • Fairchild Challenge

    The Fairchild Challenge, sponsored by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, is a multidisciplinary environmental education outreach program designed to give school students an opportunity to learn about their environment and respond to what they have learned creatively through friendly competition. The challenge fosters interest in the environment by encouraging students to appreciate the beauty and value of nature and become actively engaged citizens. To learn more about the Fairchild Challenge click here.

  • FEV Parking

    Palmer Trinity School offers preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles in special designated spaces (labeled FEV: Fuel Efficiency Vehicle) throughout the campus. In order to park in these spaces the combined city/highway mpg of the vehicle must be 30 mpg or higher. This program raises awareness and highlights our eco-conscious community members by rewarding their contribution to lessen our footprint.

List of 9 items.

  • Healthy Food

    Our school cafeteria not only offers appealing and nutritious food, it also offers ways to cut food waste through recycling and a tray-less initiative. The cafeteria’s commitment to sustainability begins with its choice of vendors, selection of products and design of the dining program. Menus change seasonally to reflect the fresh product available in the local market and to promote organic products. Lunch features house-made salads and salad dressings, made from scratch daily. The cafeteria uses cage-free and Certified Humane eggs and dolphin-safe tuna packed in water.

  • Living Garden

    The Living Garden takes students outside their classrooms for hands-on opportunities to learn about growing local and organic food, some of which is served at the school’s salad bar or used for cooking in class. Students grow herbs, spices, salad greens, fruits, and vegetables. Teachers utilize the Living Garden for educational programs as students learn about the ecological importance of plants, our relationship to food, and comprehend the deeper meaning of “we are what we eat.”

  • Naturescaping

    Palmer Trinity School emphasizes the selection of plants and shrubs that grow naturally in South Florida. Native plants are well adapted to our area and therefore require less water, little or no fertilizers or pesticides, and are extremely low maintenance. Native plants also restore natural systems and attract native insects, birds, and wildlife.

  • Photovoltaic System

    Two photovoltaic systems (20 kilowatts and 14 kilowatts each) convert the sun’s energy directly into electricity for the school’s concession stand, the main library, and the Kipp field house. Students can view in real time the production of the solar panels online and analyze how production is affected by weather conditions. The photovoltaic system produces significant energy and greenhouse gas emission savings as well as providing an extraordinary learning tool for the community.

    Public Access Dashboard: https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/site/public?name=Kipp Field House#/dashboard

    Kiosk View: https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/kiosk?guid=63560444-63a8-4a6c-bb9a-7acb1451f69a

  • Reclamation Project

    The Reclamation Project, by Xavier Cortada, is a local eco-art project designed to educate South Floridians about the importance of mangrove forests in the protection of our coastlines from hurricanes, as a home for birds and wild animals, as a cleaning mechanism for our coastal waters, and as a means of fighting global warming. Each year, student volunteers collect hundreds of mangrove propagules from the coastal areas. The propagules are then artistically exhibited in water-filled cups at the school where they are nurtured into seedlings during the school year and eventually planted to create new habitats. To learn more about the Reclamation Project click here.

  • Recycling

    Palmer Trinity School uses single-stream recycling, a system in which all recyclable materials and containers are placed, unsorted, in one recycling bin and sorted by processing equipment at a regional recycling center. The goals of the recycling program at school are to improve recycling rates, reduce waste, encourage good habits, and raise awareness about consumption patterns. As a result of the recycling program recyclables are diverted from the waste stream and natural resources avoid the landfill.

  • Sustainability Fair

    Every year, students at Palmer Trinity School celebrate a healthier, more sustainable campus lifestyle at our annual Sustainability Fair. Students display research projects in the school gym pertaining to a variety of topics including renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emission, and chemicals that have changed the world.

  • Sustainability Pledge

    Students at Palmer Trinity School have enormous power to institute change in their classrooms and campus community. Every year, the students take the Sustainability Pledge and learn how to reduce their environmental impact. The Sustainability Pledge is a good way to remind ourselves to develop good eco-friendly habits.

  • Water Conservation

    Waterless urinals and water efficient faucets are utilized in the majority of restrooms and classrooms on campus. Waterless urinals work completely without water or flush valves. The system is touch-free, improves restroom sanitation, and eliminates odors. A waterless urinal saves on average 20,000 to 45,000 gallons of water a year. Water conservation decreases the burden on municipal water and wastewater treatment.
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