Hawaii schools are joining a national environmental program.

The state Department of Education said this week Hawaii is joining about two dozen other states in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools competition.

The program recognizes schools that show progress in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and producing students are who environmentally and sustainability literate. 

Public and private schools can participate. Hawaii education officials will nominate four schools for national recognition. The nominees will be submitted to the federal education department in March.