2 local schools awarded with $5,000 on Earth Day

Each year on Earth Day, two local schools are presented with $5,000 in recognition for their efforts to better their community and the environment.

This year the winner of the 2015 Environmental Community Service Award is the Douglass School.

The school, located in Wilmington, is the first one in Delaware to win this award. They were presented with a

"We are so excited and we appreciate the opportunity to serve this community as well as receive this gift," said Denise Robinson, school counselor.

The students planted a garden on site and harvested their own vegetables to create healthy lunches.

"I've been happy to see it progress and get bigger," said Michael Taylor, 8th grader.

"I think schools around the U.S. should do this as a healthy alternative," said Ethan Hill, 10th grader.

For winning the award, the Douglass School received a $5,000 check from the environmental law firm of Manko, Gold, Katcher and Fox.

They also got a fun visit from the Wawa Goose!

Students and administrators at the Nebinger School in South Philadelphia have also taken the idea of going green and run with it.

The school is making its environmental footprint on the Delaware Estuary.

The students created a storm water infrastructure that reduces runoff and redirects rain water to a garden.

"Since you see it in our garden, the water is now more useful since it will be running through the plants," said Emily Rodriguez, 8th grader.

The school even replaced a portion of its concrete grounds with recycled tires.

"They've learned a lot about recycling, a lot of upcycling," said Debbie Stewart, Friends of Nebinger.

The school also received a $5,000 check and a visit from the Wawa Goose.

"We can buy a few things for the school yard that we sorely needed," said Lisa French, Friends of Nebinger.