It’s circular, simple and recognizable by wood beams that stretch skyward.

Richmond School District’s Sustainability Centre, at the entrance to Steveston-London Secondary, is a green beacon—a tangible symbol of the district’s commitment to the environment.

It’s a commitment shared by students, whose sustainable veins and green genes run deep.

“A lot of times the teachers may plant the seeds, but the students are the driving force,” said Rosalind Poon, teacher consultant for sustainability.

The centre serves as a meeting area for students and staff to discuss sustainability leadership and initiatives. It’s a new building borne out of construction of Steveston-London Secondary.

It was originally planned to house a fish hatchery to continue a program the late Bob Carkner developed at the old Steveston Secondary. But moving the hatchery proved more difficult than first imagined and the idea was abandoned.

Its current form creates a hub for a host of sustainability initiatives within the district, and it’s where Glen Bussey has his office.

“You have to speak with passion, and you have to believe it in your soul,” said Glen Bussey, the district’s first administrator for energy and sustainability.

Bussey’s salary is largely funded by B.C. Hydro to promote leadership, energy conservation and behavioural change within the district.

That change began to take root in 1998, when the school board adopted the district’s environmental stewardship policy. That led to $5.4 million in energy-saving upgrades that saves the district nearly $800,000 each year.

It also led to the formation of “green teams” at local schools. Since 2004, the district has been handing out $1,000 grants to schools and their green teams for various projects, from starting a garden to developing a recycling program to organizing a special environmental event.

Last year, 27 schools received grants, including R.A. McMath, which used the money for its “Eco-Olympics,” and Hugh McRoberts, which hosted Ecofest.

The district also hosts monthly meetings of environmental minds. Dubbed the “Sustainability Café,” it’s an opportunity for students, teachers, administrators, and support staff to discuss leadership and initiatives in environmental stewardship.

Key to the district’s green push is energy conservation and waste management. To that end, formal recycling collection begins at schools this fall.

For Bussey’s part, he’s striving to develop a common vision for sustainability within the district—ensuring all are being educated in the ways of living sustainably so that it’s as natural as putting on a seatbelt.

It’s a goal Poon works toward daily by supporting teachers and students and helping green teams develop programs.

“If you don’t support those initiatives, without the education piece, it really won’t go anywhere,” she said.

Meanwhile, the district is facing an $8 million funding shortfall, drying up funding for energy efficiency upgrades. This while it’s trying to meet the provincial government’s demand of being carbon neutral by 2010.

“I can see there’s a huge potential out there,” said Bussey. “We’re ahead of a lot of school districts, but we have a long way to go too.”

Although cash for conversions has disappeared, new schools are being built to high environmental standards.

The district is applying for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold standard for the geothermal Steveston-London Secondary, and the planned Brighouse Elementary replacement has the potential to become the most efficient school building in the country, said Eric Thorleifson, district manager of facilities.

“What you see here is the determination to move forward—and walk the talk,” he said.

It’s unclear whether green grants to schools will continue, but what’s clear is the district’s determination to continue encouraging students and staff to adopt everyday green practices.

And there’s no shortage of interest among students.

Approximately 100 students packed the first green team meeting at R.A. McMath this year. At Tomekichi Homma and W.D. Ferris elementary schools, Poon saw students chasing after teachers asking to start up green teams.

Said Poon: “There’s amazing interest out there.”