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Education > Schoolyard Habitats

Schoolyard Habitats

Schools across the nation are transforming concrete and turf into living and breathing wetlands!

At the local watershed level, school footprints can represent a sizeable portion of land use. On average an elementary school takes up 5-10 acres, a middle school 20-30 acres and a high school 30-40 acres.

Dominated by impervious surfaces, schools represent an opportunity to exact real and measurable watershed improvements with regards to decreasing stormwater run-off and the resulting non-point source pollution. However, the benefits of utilizing schoolyards extend much further.

As outdoor classrooms they improve academic achievement. As aesthetic enhancements, they increase school pride and decrease vandalism. As demonstration projects, they create awareness and understanding throughout the greater community leading to increased stewardship.

Contact Environmental Concern if you are interested in hearing the call of the wild at your school.


School Yard Habitat-Link to Youtube

students plant rain garden near their school

 

wetland habitat near playground at elementary school

Celebrate spectacular views of schoolyard habitats from across the country with Environmental Concern’s 2013 Schoolyard Habitat Calendar.
To purchase a 2013 calendar visit our EC Shoppe


image of large group of children proud of their new schoolyard habitat rain garden

 

young children and their teacher plant wetland habitat

 

chodren plant wetland plants around pond in their school yard