Achieving and Maintaining EcoDistricts Certified Status Requires Four Elements

As shown in the figure below, certification includes three core submission requirements. To maintain certification, a district must submit biennial progress reports beginning on the second anniversary of certification and continuing thereafter every two years.

Imperatives Commitment

Districts that are seeking certification must submit their Imperatives Commitment to EcoDistricts within one year of registration, and EcoDistricts must endorse the Imperatives Commitment before accepting Formation or Roadmap submissions. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Imperatives Commitment submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission.

REQUIREMENT: Imperatives Commitment
DUE: Within 12 months of district registration

Formation

Districts that are seeking certification must apply for Formation endorsement within two years
of EcoDistricts endorsement of their Imperatives Commitment. The Formation phase requires district submission and EcoDistricts endorsement of a Declaration of Collaboration. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Declaration of Collaboration submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission.

Districts may submit Declarations of Collaboration and Roadmaps separately or in tandem. EcoDistricts will review both documents individually and will make a certification award only upon endorsement of both documents.

REQUIREMENT: Endorsed Declaration of Collaboration
DUE: Within 2 years of Imperatives Commitment endorsement

Roadmap

Districts that are seeking certification must submit a Roadmap within two years of receiving
EcoDistricts endorsement of their Imperatives Commitment. The sole Roadmap requirement is
district submission and EcoDistricts endorsement of a Roadmap action plan. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Roadmap submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission.

Districts may submit Roadmaps and Declarations of Collaboration separately or in tandem. EcoDistricts will review Roadmaps and Declarations of Collaboration individually, and will make a certification award only upon endorsement of both documents.

REQUIREMENT: Endorsed Roadmap
DUE: Within 2 years of Imperatives Commitment Endorsement

Performance

Districts must submit an initial biennial progress report beginning on the second anniversary of certification. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial progress report submission and, if needed, a final review and certification maintenance decision in response to a revised submission.

Once the initial biennial progress report has been approved, districts must submit a progress report every two years on or around the anniversary date of their certification. These ongoing progress reports are reviewed in the same manner as the initial report.

REQUIREMENT: Endorsed Progress Report
DUE: Every two years following achievement of Certification