MPS Showcases New Sustainability Action Plan on Earth Day
$39+ Million in Grants Support Ongoing Green Initiatives across the District
MILWAUKEE — April 22, 2026 — In celebration of Earth Day, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD, today showcased the district’s new District Sustainability Action Plan: A Roadmap for Healthy and Sustainable Schools. She was joined by Reflo and other key community partners at Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented, 6700 N. 80th Street.
The new action plan was developed with support from the Green Schools National Network. Throughout 2025, more than 300 stakeholders—including MPS students, families, educators, and staff, as well as community partners—provided input into the plan, which reflects the district’s continued collaboration with the community and a shared commitment to student success.
“For more than a decade, sustainability work in MPS has focused on putting students first,” said Dr. Cassellius. “From improving air quality and expanding access to green spaces to hands‑on learning through gardens and outdoor classrooms, these efforts help ensure every student, regardless of ZIP code, has access to healthy, safe, and engaging learning environments. We are grateful to our community partners for their continued collaboration in expanding opportunities for students while also creating a healthier, more sustainable Milwaukee for all.”
The new five‑year District Sustainability Action Plan puts existing initiatives into a cohesive strategy that strengthens learning environments while preparing students for the future. In addition to grant‑funded work, the plan emphasizes improving district processes, including energy efficiency, and reducing waste by reusing, recycling, and composting to responsibly manage resources, reduce costs, and protect the environment.
“Milwaukee Public Schools is turning a bold commitment into real system-wide action, creating healthier schools and preparing students to lead in a changing world,” said Dr. Ileana Albareda, Executive Director of Green Schools National Network. “As a partner, Green Schools National Network is proud to support MPS in building a community where sustainability, health, and learning are deeply connected.”
Many actions outlined in the plan require no new funding and instead focus on operating more efficiently.
Community partnerships remain central to this work, bringing resources, expertise, and real‑world learning opportunities directly to students. MPS continues to build on strong relationships with local organizations, civic leaders, and community groups and is exploring additional opportunities.
Over the past decade, MPS has secured more than $39 million in grants to support its sustainability initiatives. Advancing sustainability across classrooms, school buildings, and neighborhoods has resulted in green schoolyards, environmental literacy curriculum integration, healthier meals, energy efficiency improvements, and experiential learning opportunities districtwide.
Across the district, existing sustainability initiatives connect learning to students’ cultures, communities, and lived experiences. Students are growing food, exploring environmental science in their own neighborhoods, and working alongside community organizations on real‑world projects—extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community. These experiences also prepare students for high‑demand, well‑paying career pathways in clean energy, environmental science, engineering, and sustainability.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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