National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

The National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative was co-founded in May 2020 by Green Schoolyards America, The Lawrence Hall of Science, San Mateo County Office of Education, and Ten Strands. These organizations established the Initiative and are shaping its overall development.

From June - December 2020, the National Initiative convened interdisciplinary working groups to create frameworks, strategies, and guidance to share with school districts across the country. From August 2020 - June 2021 we also organized an Emergency Schoolyard Design Volunteer program that connected schools and school districts with landscape designers who helped them make schoolyard planning diagrams for moving learning outside. To accomplish this work, our leadership team grew to include more than 20 additional partner organizations that collaborated with us to build a national movement. In addition to this leadership team, our working groups included hundreds of volunteers from a wide variety of disciplines, across 40+ states and 6 countries. We have also been joined by a wonderful group of partner foundations.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the organizations and individuals who are collaborating to make this Initiative possible.