Sixty-four schools in 15 school districts across King County – including Enumclaw’s Westwood Elementary – have earned recognition for their successful conservation practices from the county’s Green Schools Program.

“Staff and students at these 64 schools have embraced recycling, reducing waste and other conservation actions,” said Dale Alekel, program manager.

The program has three levels which involve students and staff in learning about and practicing conservation of natural resources. Students and staff at Westwood Elementary were among the 25 schools recognized for completing Level One.

Schools achieved Level One status by expanding their recycling practices and focusing on waste-reduction strategies like decreasing paper use.

The program has served a growing number of schools each year, with 100 schools participating in 2009-10, 120 in 2010-11 and 154 this year.