"Virginia Naturally Schools" is the official environmental education school recognition program of the Commonwealth, administered by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with support from the Department of Education, Department of Environmental Quality and other resource agencies. The Virginia Board of Education has recognized the Virginia Naturally School program as the official environmental education school recognition program for the state. This program recognizes the wonderful efforts of many Virginia schools to increase the environmental awareness and stewardship of our youngest citizens."
With the graduating class of SPHS 2011, St. Paul celebrated 12 years participation in this program. With the consolidation and closing of St. Paul High School, the Town of St. Paul and Wetlands Estonoa officially adopted Castlewood High School as the town's home school and Team Estonoa continues in the same tradition initiated by the students of SPHS. Castlewood students entry into Team Estonoa, along with team members/students previously from SPHS, are leading the way into a whole new era of student initiated, community supported, place-based environmental education. There's no place on earth quite like Wetlands Estonoa and thanks to the dedicated teens in our community, the learning opportunities and stewardship will grow as they continue to show the world what their initiative and sweat equity can do to make their world a better place for all.