Provided by PWCS
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has recognized 35 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) with Virginia Naturally (VAN) designation for the 2025-26 school year, an increase of five schools from the previous year.
Administered by the DWR, the VAN program recognizes schools that integrate hands-on environmental learning and sustainability initiatives into their curriculum. As the Commonwealth’s official environmental education school recognition program, VAN honors schools that foster environmental stewardship through meaningful learning experiences.
The following schools earned the designation:
- Ashland Elementary School
- Bel Air Elementary School
- Belmont Elementary School
- Buckland Mills Elementary School
- C.D. Hylton High School
- Chris Yung Elementary School
- Coles Elementary School
- Covington Harper Elementary School
- Dale City Elementary School
- Forest Park High School
- Fred M. Lynn Middle School
- Freedom High School
- Gar-Field High School
- Gravely Elementary School
- Haymarket Elementary School
- Henderson Elementary School
- Independence Nontraditional School
- John D. Jenkins Elementary School
- Kerrydale Elementary School
- Lake Ridge Elementary School
- Loch Lomond Elementary School
- Minnieville Elementary School
- Mountain View Elementary School
- Mullen Elementary School
- Neabsco Elementary School
- Occoquan Elementary School
- Patriot High School
- Piney Branch Elementary School
- Rockledge Elementary School
- Saunders Middle School
- The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
- The Nokesville School
- Tyler Elementary School
- Unity Reed High School
- Yorkshire Elementary School
Notably, Coles Elementary School has earned this designation for 13 consecutive years, while eight schools are celebrating their first designation.
Melinda Landry, sustainability coordinator, shared, “The Virginia Naturally Schools recognition celebrates schools that make environmental learning an active part of the student experience. One of the program’s key criteria encourages learning beyond the four walls of the classroom, giving students meaningful opportunities to explore, investigate, and connect with their local environment.”
In alignment with the PWCS Environmental Literacy Plan and the PWCS Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan, these hands-on experiences aim to foster sustainability practices, student curiosity, and critical thinking.
“We are especially grateful to our school-based sustainability liaisons, whose leadership and dedication help transform these goals into meaningful learning experiences for students. They champion environmental literacy, lead sustainability initiatives within their school communities, and guide the Virginia Naturally recognition application process. Their efforts continue to expand opportunities for outdoor learning and foster a culture of environmental stewardship across PWCS,” concluded Landry.
