Thirty-five Halton public schools are now certified by Ontario Eco-Schools for their efforts in operating with more environmental consciousness, well up from the six schools certified in 2006-07.

The most recent Eco-Schools certification for Halton's public board includes 10 awards at the top level, gold, 21 awards at the silver level and four at bronze.

Milton's Brookville School was one of the gold award recipients.

The dramatic increase in the certified numbers means 37 per cent of Halton public schools are certified as Ontario Eco-Schools.

Each of the newly-certified schools focused its efforts in the priority areas of waste minimization, energy conservation, ecological literacy and school grounds greening.

As part of the Eco-Schools program, each school developed an EcoTeam with student, staff and parent participation, organizing school-wide projects such as waste-free or boomerang lunches, recycling programs and school-yard tree plantings.

"Increasing the number of schools establishing eco-friendly practices is one of the targets identified in the board's operational plan," said Gillian Tuck Kutarna, chair of the board of trustees.

"I'm pleased to see so many schools being recognized for their efforts to create more sustainable environments, which benefit our communities and enhance education opportunities for our children."

According to Ron Ballentine and Kim Wallace, co-chairs of the Halton District School Board Environmental Management Team, it's the growing support from staff and students that has helped schools move to the next level to create more sustainable schools.

"Our board's increase in certification is by far the greatest improvement in the province," said Ballentine.

"We're proud of these schools for leading the way with these important environmental initiatives."

Recognition and celebration of the new or improved Eco-Schools status for the various Halton schools will take place at the Halton Student EcoCelebrations in October.