Schoolyard Forests Across the Country
This section of the Schoolyard Forest System℠ Resource Library celebrates and documents existing schoolyard forests, as well as initiatives and policies that support the protection, creation, long term management and use of forested spaces at schools.
The examples below document a range of creative strategies and approaches that respond to the local community context, climate, setting and site.
Case Studies
© GREEN SCHOOLYARDS AMERICA
Berkeley Unified School District, California
Berkeley Unified School District's sustainable practices, gardens, and schoolyard greening have gained global acclaim through their innovative approach and extensive experience in maintaining living schoolyard gardens and forests.
© Brian Montez, Rialto Unified School District
Rialto Unified School District, California
Rialto Unified School District in California's arid Inland Empire boasts vibrant agro-forests and gardens, honoring its agricultural legacy and exemplifying a district-wide living schoolyard transformation towards a greener, more sustainable future.
The Trees of Rialto Storymap - GIS Tree Data Collected by Rialto Unified Students
© Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District, California
LAUSD is the second largest school district in the country, serving over half a million students. They have a long history of outdoor education and are committed to greening their grounds to create healthier spaces for students.
© Alejandra Chiesa, Green Schoolyards America
Oakland Unified School District, California
OUSD has adopted amongst the most comprehensive schoolyard greening policies in the nation. The district’s holistic approach to schoolyard greening includes a robust garden and cooking program and a long-term plan for converting its blacktop schoolyards into thriving living schoolyards.
© Sharon Danks, Green Schoolyards America
Lagunitas School District and
Harmony Union School District, California
These two small, rural school districts take advantage of their already-forested school grounds to create robust, low maintenance, and sustainable schoolyard forests which provide endless opportunities for students to learn, explore, and play.
More Case Studies coming soon!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SCHOOLYARD FOREST
We would love to hear about—and showcase—more schoolyard forests from the United States and around the world. Schoolyard forests include climate-adapted trees planted in groves to provide students with access to shade, and opportunities for outdoor learning, physical activity, social interaction, and play, and engage students in design, planting, and/or stewardship.
Please use the form below to help us understand and document schoolyard forests at PreK-12 schools, including built projects, initiatives, programs, and policies. Thank you!
If you have questions or need help sending your information, please contact us at: lauren@greenschoolyards.org
© Sharon Danks, Green Schoolyards America
See also…
Schoolyard Forest System℠
The Schoolyard Forest System℠ Resource Library is a set of practical tools for schools and districts working to increase tree canopy on public school grounds to shade and protect PreK-12 students from extreme heat and rising temperatures due to climate change. Funding for the first phase of this initiative was provided by a grant administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Program, and private philanthropy.
