Department of Environment
 
Environment


ImageIndoor school activities are fantastic, but we can’t forget about the outdoor classroom: your school ground. Just outside the classroom window lie oodles of learning and greening opportunities. With a bit of creativity and teamwork you can brighten-up your schoolyard, help the environment and learn new skills!

Consider conducting a school ground check. Take a moment to scan the grounds. What do you see? Spot the challenge, identify the solution and take action. Perhaps the solution is building on the great features that already exist at your school. The opportunities are endless.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

ACTION REACTION
Hold a school ground clean-up day.
  • Provides safer, cleaner areas
  • Promotes school pride
    		•
    Increase green space by adding grass, flowers and shrubs.
  • Gives greener space for all to enjoy
  • Creates a habitat for birds and insects
  • Provides hands-on learning opportunities
    		•
    Make flower boxes.
  • Fosters school beautification
  • Builds skills
    		•
    Construct bird houses.
  • Welcomes birds
  • Encourages species and habitat recognition
    		•
    Plant a garden.
  • Provides exercise
  • Teaches plant life and nutrition basics
    		•
    Develop signage to enforce no idling of vehicles.
  • Assists in reducing air pollution
  • Creates a healthier environment
    		•
    Have a yard sale. Image
  • Promotes reuse of items
  • Serves to fund additional school greening initiatives
    • Hold a swap day at school to trade items (e.g. sports equipment) and swap greening ideas.
  • Encourages reuse of items and sharing of ideas
       within the school community
    • Compost.
  • Reduces waste
  • Reuses nutritious left-overs
    • Add benches.
  • Provides a place to learn and share time with friends
    • Review lawn maintenance and watering practices.
  • Develops best practices for lawn care
    • ImagePlant a living fence - a tree line.
  • Acts as a barrier between the school and the nature's
       elements (may cut energy use)
  • Provides shaded area

    • Helpful Tips:
    • Work with teachers and maintenance staff to set goals and bring ideas into action.
    • Form a school ground greening club. Hold club meetings to come up with green ideas.
    • Request support from local garden centres and relevant government agencies.
    • Take steps to connect your greening project(s) to classroom learning.
    • Assign tasks amongst your peers. Track and report your progress.
    • Put safety first! Always use proper safety equipment when carrying-out a greening project.
    • Make sure your project lives-on by creating a maintenance schedule.
    • Share successes and lessons learned along the way with other schools, friends and relatives.
    • Have fun, and be proud of your efforts, knowing that you've given back to nature!
    ImageThe school ground is your outdoor classroom for learning. It's all waiting just outside!

    Take Action! Start simple, work safely, and make your commitment strong.

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