Growing Green Schoolyards

The Science

Green schoolyards can provide multiple benefits to students and the environment, including improved academic performance, enhanced social and emotional development, and improved mental health. In a study conducted by the Natural Learning Initiative, College of Design, NC State University comparing playgrounds, natural environments, and a mix of the two – the spaces that featured but nature and the built environment helped get people to higher use. Green Schoolyards are a valid component to provide benefits, and also instill a lifelong love of and respect for nature.

Why Request Green Schoolyards?

This educational resource is designed to help schools, schoolyard designers, landscape architects, and community activists create and advocate for green schoolyards across our nation. It describes the many ways green schoolyards can be designed to meet school and community’s needs to include outdoor classrooms, native gardens, stormwater capture, traditional playground equipment, nature play areas, vegetable gardens, trails, trees, water features, and more.

This publication was designed in partnership with the Children & Nature Network. They base their work on a growing body of evidence that highlights nature’s critical role in children’s healthy development, and the belief that all children deserve to benefit from regular time spent playing and learning outdoors. They envision green schoolyards as nature-filled outdoor spaces that offer students, teachers, parents and community members places to play, learn, explore and grow.