Secure Funding

Watch the October 4, 2024, recording of the National League of Cities and Children & Nature Network in-depth look at the new report “How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value.” The conversation, moderated by NLC’s Dr. Robert Blaine, primarily featured report author Rob Grunewald, with additional insights and perspective from Jordan Twardy from the City of Dearborn and Priya Cook from C&NN.

This slide deck on the economic benefits of green schoolyards can be used to support your own case-making efforts. Kindly credit them to Rob Grunewald in your presentations.

This lecture series highlights school districts innovating outdoor education spaces with a focus on storm water management.

SPARK works with schools and neighborhoods in Houston to develop community parks on public school grounds. Explore SPARK’s extensive list of partners for ideas on how to mobilize community collaboration.

Omaha Public School’s guide for reducing storm water on school grounds, including lesson plans for teachers and maintenance resources for administrators

State trust fund supports projects enhancing play and outdoor learning on school grounds.

Space to Grow Chicago has a unique partnership, community engagement and stewardship model for green schoolyards.

Park walk ability scores and green infrastructure are used as programmatic and funding strategies for schoolyard transformation.

With funding from the U.S. Forest Service, Milwaukee’s Green Schools program reduces storm water runoff, transforms asphalt surfaces, and provides valuable shade canopy where children play.

Voters continuously approve a ballot initiative for bond funding to green schoolyards in San Francisco.

A conservation loans program that offers flexible financing with sustained technical assistance. Take the eligibility survey and apply for funding to support your schoolyard conservation project.

This collaboration between Clean Water Partnership (CWP) and Prince George’s County Public Schools helps meet federal stormwater standards and fosters new generations of water quality protectors.

Baltimore City Public Schools has a robust and comprehensive approach to its green schools initiative that supports the health and well-being of students, families and the community.

This case study narrates the evolution of green schoolyards in San Francisco, and their supporting programming including Americorps-funded educators at many schools.

William Cramp Community School (K-5) serves as a prototype for greening schoolyards in Philadelphia.

Get2Green supports county-wide efforts to engage Pre-K-12 students in environmental stewardship, incorporate sustainability in the classroom, schoolyard greening throughout the district.

A rural green schoolyards program, Learning Landscapes takes advantage of preserved adjacent property and develops school grounds with trails, outdoor classroom areas and native plantings

Out Teach provides professional development, mentoring and modeling for schools with outdoor classrooms. Their program is highly successful and improves teacher and student motivation.

This case study highlights the program and funding that has allowed all schools in Santa Cruz, CA to have garden-based education as part of its district learning goals.

Over the past 30 years, SPARK has built more than 200 community parks in 17 school districts in Harris County, Texas, including neighborhoods where no parks existed.

Federal funds support the development of community learning centers for academic enrichment during non-school hours.

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board uses equity-driven metrics to evaluate regional parks and trails, and ensure that investments are equitably targeted and support the MPRB’s Comprehensive Plan.

This guide is intended to encourage partnerships between park agencies and stormwater agencies aimed at promoting the use of green infrastructure on park lands.

Green schoolyards selection criteria prioritizes stormwater capture and equitable access.

Report highlights community and school gardens in Chicago reduced stormwater runoff, resulting in better water quality, reduced urban heat islands, enhanced learning environments and stronger communities.

Voter-approved city bond funding pays for schoolyard transformation program in Denver, CO.

This resource highlights creative and various ways in which communities have sustained school garden programs.