Central Park Elementary earns Broward district’s first Everglades milestone award

Plantation, Florida – Central Park Elementary School has become the first school in Broward County Public Schools to receive the George Barley Milestone Award, recognizing eight years of Gold-level achievement in The Everglades Foundation’s Champion Schools program.

The foundation presented the award during an October 19 ceremony at the Plantation school. The recognition honors a sustained commitment to environmental education, with an emphasis on helping students understand the Everglades and the importance of conserving the South Florida ecosystem.

Central Park Elementary earned the distinction by achieving Gold-level Everglades Champion School status for eight years. The milestone highlights the school’s continued inclusion of Everglades literacy and conservation in its educational activities and school community.

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A key part of that work is the school’s Everglades Ambassadors Club, which includes 120 student members. Students and their parents volunteer their time to support environmental initiatives, extending participation beyond classroom lessons.

The ambassadors undertake environmental stewardship projects and activities both on campus and throughout the community. Their involvement connects the school’s educational focus with opportunities for students and families to participate in conservation-related efforts.

That combination of student leadership, family participation and community activity reflects the broader approach promoted by the Champion Schools program. The initiative encourages schools to make Everglades education part of their culture through lessons, projects and sustainable practices.

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The Everglades Foundation’s program helps students develop a deeper understanding of the region’s distinctive ecosystem and why protecting it matters. Participating schools incorporate that focus into learning and everyday school practices, creating opportunities to connect environmental knowledge with active involvement.

The milestone award is named after George Barley, an environmental advocate and co-founder of The Everglades Foundation. Central Park Elementary’s recognition links his conservation legacy with the school’s long-term work to promote awareness among younger generations.

For the Broward district, the award marks its first school to reach this particular milestone. At Central Park Elementary, it recognizes an effort supported by students, parents and a school culture that has maintained its Everglades focus over eight years of Gold-level achievement.

The ambassadors’ work is featured in the video Building an Everglades Culture | Everglades Champion Schools: Central Park Elementary, which offers a closer look at the school’s involvement in the program.