OKEECHOBEE- Central Elementary School in Okeechobee is proud to announce its designation as an official Guy Harvey Conservation School, marking an exciting new chapter in the school’s commitment to environmental education and inspiring students to become the next generation of conservation stewards.

The Guy Harvey Conservation Education Program recognizes educators, schools and districts dedicated to environmental STEAM education. Through the program, educators receive access to regional professional development opportunities, conservation-focused learning and resources designed to bring environmental education to life in the classroom.

For Central Elementary, the partnership provides an opportunity to connect students to the natural world around them while helping them understand the importance of protecting Florida’s waterways, wildlife and ecosystems.

“Being recognized as a Guy Harvey Conservation School gives our teachers and students an incredible opportunity to learn, explore and make a difference,” said Jennifer Radcliff, principal of Central Elementary School. “Our students have a unique connection to the environment because of where we live. We want to build on that connection and help them understand that they have an important role to play in protecting our natural resources.”

As part of the program, educators can participate in Conservation Education Training (CET) and regional professional development opportunities held throughout the year. These experiences provide educators with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of conservation education and gain strategies and resources they can bring directly into their classrooms.

The program also offers grants to support field trips and classroom supplies, providing Guy Harvey Conservation educators with additional resources to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for students.

For Central Elementary students, conservation education will extend beyond traditional classroom learning. Students will have opportunities to explore environmental STEAM concepts, learn about Florida’s unique ecosystems, and develop a deeper understanding of how individual choices can affect the health of our environment.

While Okeechobee is located in the heart of Florida, the community has a significant connection to the state’s water systems through Lake Okeechobee and the surrounding watershed. This makes conservation education particularly relevant to local students and provides a meaningful foundation for learning about the connection between freshwater ecosystems and Florida’s coastal and marine environments.

That mission aligns closely with the vision of Okeechobee County School District to Be Known. Be Challenged. Be Empowered.

Through this partnership, Central Elementary students will be known through meaningful connections to their community and environment, challenged through authentic STEAM and conservation experiences, and empowered with the knowledge and confidence to become environmental stewards.

“Education has the power to shape not only what students know, but what they choose to do with that knowledge,” said Dylan Tedders, superintendent of Okeechobee County School District. “We are excited to see Central Elementary embrace conservation education and provide students with opportunities to become thoughtful, informed stewards of the environment. This is an excellent example of how community partnerships can expand learning beyond the classroom and prepare students to make a positive impact.”

As Central Elementary begins its journey as a Guy Harvey Conservation School, educators and students will have opportunities to learn, explore and take action—creating a ripple effect that can extend from the classroom to the community and beyond.