Central Park Elementary is Building an Everglades Culture
Updated: 7 hours ago
Watch the first film in our new Everglades Champion Schools series and see how one Gold-level school is inspiring the next generation of Everglades stewards.
October 29, 2026
At Central Park Elementary in Broward County, Everglades education is more than a lesson. It is part of the school’s culture. In “Building an Everglades Culture,” the first film in The Everglades Foundation’s new Everglades Champion Schools series, we visit the school to see that culture in action.
For the past eight years, Central Park Elementary has been part of The Everglades Foundation’s Everglades Champion Schools program. The program recognizes participating schools at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels as they integrate Everglades-focused learning, projects, and sustainable practices into school life.
In October 2026, Central Park Elementary became the first Broward County Public School to receive the George Barley Milestone Award, recognizing its long-term commitment to Everglades literacy and conservation. We could not be prouder of this school community and everything its students, educators, families, and school leaders have accomplished.
That commitment comes to life through the school’s Everglades Ambassador Club, which has grown to 120 students. Using The Everglades Foundation’s free Everglades Literacy curriculum, students tend the school garden, create compost, collect litter, and share conservation tips during morning announcements. Everglades-themed murals and hands-on activities help bring their learning to life across campus.
“When students are excited about the Everglades, they take that excitement home to their parents,” one Central Park Elementary teacher shared. “It is like a springboard for conservation.”
That excitement is already reaching beyond the classroom. Students are conserving water at home, sharing what they learn with their families, and recognizing that their actions can make a meaningful difference.
Watch“Building an Everglades Culture” to meet Central Park Elementary’s Everglades Ambassadors and see what is possible when an entire school community comes together around a shared love for the Everglades.
Teachers interested in bringing Everglades education to their schools can visit EvergladesLiteracy.org to explore free educational resources, professional development opportunities, and information about becoming an Everglades Champion School. The program encourages teacher training, curriculum integration, interdisciplinary projects, field experiences, and Everglades leadership throughout the school community.
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