The U.S. Department of Education has named a south metro school district and an elementary school winners of Green Ribbon Schools awards, in recognition of their commitment to sustainability, health and wellness and environmental education.

The entire West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan district and Redtail Ridge Elementary, a school in the Prior Lake-Savage district, were recognized by the program, along with three other Minnesota K-12 schools and a college.

In the West St. Paul district, every school has achieved Energy Star ratings and separates recyclables from trash and compostable items. Schools each have their own team dedicated to encouraging sustainability. Because of its environmental efforts, the district has saved $1.9 million in utility costs since 2003.

Redtail Ridge promotes stewardship every day through its Junior Naturalist program, an organics recycling initiative and frequent outdoor lessons. The school also tracks the progression of a prairie restoration project and has many community partners, among them a college, a nature center and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. In 2011, the school earned Energy Star recognition. The entire district has an E-STEM, or STEM plus environmental education, focus.

Nationally, 58 schools and 14 districts were honored, along with nine colleges.The winners were selected from a pool of candidates nominated by state education agencies.

In Minnesota, Harambee Elementary School in Maplewood, City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis, Rockford Middle School in Rockford and the University of Minnesota, Morris were also honored.

The West St. Paul district has had other schools recognized by the program before, as has the Prior Lake-Savage district. The whole Prior Lake-Savage district was also honored in 2013.