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Sustainability at Gordon

Sustainability - from classroom learning to campus-wide practices - is embedded deeply in Gordon's strategic vision, A more just and sustainable world.

As a leader in the independent school community, Gordon is continually finding ways to generate systemic change in defense of the earth, from simple updates in lighting to the creation of a regional consortium supporting locally produced renewable energy.

With twelve acres of fields, woods and wetlands, and a commitment to teaching children to advocate for what they believe in, Gordon is a perfect laboratory for environmental education.

At the heart of all of that work is the continued commitment to educating children to be compassionate leaders in sustainability work and environmental justice.

  • Teaching, learning, and practicing the habits of environmental stewardship are essential parts of Gordon's history and reflective of our commitment to stimulate in our students a drive for positive societal impact.
  • Environmental justice must be at the forefront of our commitment to addressing social inequities and the imminent threats to our natural world.
  • This work will be integrated across all aspects of school life and operations and guided by a "do no harm" philosophy and a holistic adaptation of current research and best practices.
  • We seek to cultivate environmental literacy among all members of the Gordon community and foster a culture of sustainability that inspires students to be lifelong stewards of the planet.

 

 

OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES

The 12 Acre Classroom

The pond and stream

The meadow on Martin Street

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

Stream restoration

  • Partnered with current parent and RISD professor, Emily Vogler, to develop a formal stream restoration plan
  • Launched Love Letters to the Stream across all divisions in spring, building community connection to the project
  • Planted over fifty native plants at the biodiversity restoration site along the stream in June 

Meadow development

  • Met with Pearl Street Garden Collective to develop a tentative site plan for a native meadow on the vacant lot at 56 Martin St.
  • Actively pursuing grant funding through Kids Gardening to support this work

Campus ecology and land health

  • Organic lawn care launched across campus
  • Campus-wide invasive species removal: garlic mustard and watercress pulled by students and faculty
  • Pond flower planting completed
  • Drip irrigation installed in third grade courtyard garden
  • Additional Early Childhood playground plantings

Community events

  • First-ever zero-waste compost and waste stations at the Gordon Carnival, in partnership with Epic Renewal
  • Sustainable event checklist created for parent events and posted to parent portal
  • Pumpkin dump, pumpkin smash, and student leaf raking composting traditions continued 

Professional development for faculty and staff

  • Multiple professional development days devoted to teaching and learning outdoors
  • Coffee in the Commons with the science team engaging in the outdoor learning conversation and sharing Green Dean updates
  • First Green Dean / Division Directors meeting establishing a standing collaborative relationship 

Partnerships

  • Ecology School at River Bend Farm (Maine): new 6th grade fall trip partner
  • Pearl Street Garden Collective: design and curriculum partner for meadow project
  • Epic Renewal: zero-waste event partnership
  • Emily Vogler / RISD: stream restoration lead
  • Unearthing Joy – culturally responsive outdoor classrooms 

Cushman Gillen is Gordon's sustainability director("Green Dean") and a Middle School science teacher. He brings nearly two decades of experience in science education, sustainability, and place-based learning. Cush integrates climate solutions, systems thinking, and hands-on experiences into his teaching, with a focus on helping students understand the complex relationships between people and the natural world and empowering them to become thoughtful climate leaders.

Across his work as an educator, sustainability leader, and environmental practitioner, Cush focuses on curriculum development, collaboration, and creating meaningful connections between students and the Gordon campus. His goal is to move from teaching about sustainability to actively practicing it, while giving students the knowledge, experiences, and agency to imagine and build a more sustainable future.

2025-2026 Highlights

6
Major initiatives launched

100+
Native plants installed

5
Faculty and staff workshops

1st ever
Zero-waste school event

Sustainability stories from Gordon's blog