Reports & Articles
Green Schoolyards: A Growing Movement Supporting Health, Education, ad Connection with Nature
“This report documents the journeys and lessons of green schoolyard programs shared at the (National Green Schoolyards Summit), as well as the experiences and expertise of grassroots leaders and public and private partners working at the school, community and city levels; policymakers from the local, state and national levels; and, additional research into emerging ideas, funding streams and innovative partnerships. Our goal is to share information and stories as well as tangible steps communities can take to develop their own green schoolyards.”
Building a National Movement For Green Schoolyards in Every Community
“When classroom technology is balanced with hands-on active learning outdoors in natural environments, the benefits of both approaches are multiplied. By using more of their senses, by moving their bodies, by experiencing the awe and wonder of nature, tech-savvy children can maximize the abilities and skills that come from both the natural and the virtual worlds.”
The Green Schoolyard Movement
“Schools are reshaping their traditional yards, designed for 1940s educational methods, and creating beautiful, ecologically diverse landscapes with an eye toward the future. Schoolyard greening creates rich environments that connect nature and environmental stability with place-based learning, hands-on curricula, and imaginative play, while building community.”
Children & Nature Network Green Schoolyards Research
Eight Critical Elements Leading to Positive Graduation Outcomes, Oregon Department of Education
Green Health: Building Sustainable Schools for Healthy Kids, Center for Green Schools
The Greening of Schoolyards: A Comprehensive Plan for the Portland Metro Region, The Intertwine Alliance
Toolkits, Websites and Other Information
Children & Nature Network Green Schoolyards for Healthy Communities
Children & Nature Network Green Schoolyards Resource Hub
Children & Nature Network Green Schoolyards Tools and Resources
Children & Nature Network Green Schoolyards Action Agenda
Children & Nature Network – “Policy Levers and Promising Models to Advance Green Schoolyards”
Children & Nature Network – “Green Schoolyards Evaluation Framework”
Oregon’s Farm to School and School Garden website
Oregon Department of Education/Oregon Farm to Schools Program website
Project Green Schools website
Clark County Green Schools website
Oregon’s Farm to School and School Garden Resource People
Oregon’s Farm to School and School Garden Resource Guide
National Wildlife Federation School Habitats How-To Guide
Cities Connecting Children to Nature, City of Austin Implementation Plan
Austin Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
Sustainability Principles of Design, Portland Public Schools
Contractors – Gardens and Nature Play
American Society of Landscape Architects Oregon
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Landscape Architects has promoted the landscape architecture profession and advanced the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. As the national professional association for landscape architects, ASLA has more than 15,000 members and 49 chapters, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 68 countries around the world.
GreenWorks
GreenWorks is a Portland-based firm specializing in landscape architecture and environmental design. A regional leader in sustainable design for 30 years, GreenWorks is dedicated to innovating solutions for clients by linking natural resources, urban environments, and people.
Juncus Studio
Licensed landscape architect with a passion for protection and healing of our urban watersheds through embedding natural systems within local communities. Experience with managing teams on a wide range of project types and scales for both public and private clients.
Learning Landscapes Design
Learning Landscapes is a sustainable landscapes design firm specializing in creating inspiring spaces for engaged learning and play.
nature+play designs
Putting nature in play, play in nature
Learning and play go hand in hand for kids of all ages.
Spending time outdoors can calm and bring joy.
Going for a walk in nature strengthens muscles and clears the mind.
Greening of schools projects build pride, ownership, skills, relationships, and community stewardship.
Quatrefoil Inc.
Quatrefoil Inc. provides personalized landscape architectural and design services for all types of site design, from residential to institutional. Design is client-driven to merge program, technical and lifestyle needs. Services are tailored to program, schedule and budget requirements. Projects evolve through an interactive dialogue between client and designer, insuring an integration between all elements of the landscape.
Resilience Design
Resilience Design is a sustainable landscape design and consulting company based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2011, its focus is creating ‘homesteads and habitats’ – multifunctional spaces that serve the needs of people while contributing to the workings of the ecosystems we reside within.
Shapiro Didway
Shapiro Didway is a landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm founded in 2006 by Principals Steve Shapiro and Blair Didway. Our firm is made up of a diverse team of 10 employees who are passionate about exploring and expressing the relationships between the community and built environment. Our practice is grounded by our passion for design and sustainability.