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Research and Benefits
The School Grounds Greening project was inspired by Richard Louv’s “Last Child in the Woods,” which demonstrates the critical value of time spent outdoors to children’s health, learning and social skills.
The School Grounds Greening project aims to enrich our children’s educational experiences and learning environment by creating opportunities to play, learn and socialize in outdoor settings. In the process, it brings ecological and aesthetic benefits to the entire school community.
The benefits of greener school grounds are multifaceted and have been documented in recent studies:
Student benefits
• Increased physical exercise
• Improved concentration and greater creativity
• Increased positive social interactions
Financial benefits
• 10 to 20 percent energy savings
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Increased property values
Environmental benefits
• Added habitat for birds, butterflies and other creatures
• Improved air quality
• Reduced stormwater overloads
Community benefits
• Increased school involvement for parents
• Stronger sense of community
• Greener, healthier local environment
National/International School Grounds Greening Efforts
San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance
The Trust for Public Land: Parks for People – Philadelphia
For more information, call 412-586-2321 or email
SchoolGreening@paconserve.org.
