Grounds
School grounds encompass all the non-building portions of a school site. These could contain landscaped areas, native plants and natural areas, school gardens, outdoor classrooms, sports fields, playgrounds and paved areas.
Why does landscape matter? What is a sustainable school landscape?
Information relating to School Grounds can also be found on these Topic Resource pages:
- Food (Farm to School)
- Material Resources (Composting)
- Water (Stormwater)
- Pest Management
Grounds - General
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Sustainable Landscaping webpage, Includes information on landscaping, school gardens, composting, and more. They also have classroom resources for teachers.
Eco-Logical Business Program
Landscape Services Program: Environmentally responsible landscaping, certification
Low Impact Development Center
Low Impact Development Sustainable School Projects website – School Focus
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
Extensive list of resources for landscape planning for school grounds, school gardens, school grounds maintenance, school playgrounds and outdoor learning environments
Sustainable Sites Initiative
Compost/Vermicomposting
See “Composting” section in “Material Resources” page
Farm to School
See “Farm to School” section in “Food and Wellness” resource page
Habitat
4H Wildlife Stewards Program
Program for wildlife habitats at school; curriculum, habitat creation and more
National Wildlife Federation
Website for creating school yard habitats. Including lesson plans
Turf
Healthy Communities Project
Natural turf management program for schools
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Learning Gardens
Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services
Portland Public Schools school garden page
EPA Green Landscaping: Greenacres
Growing Gardens
Website includes school garden clubs and programs
Kids Gardening
School gardens website from the National Gardening Association
Life Lab
Program about garden-based learning
Native Plant Society of Oregon
Resources about the native plants of Oregon and how to incorporate them into your school garden.
OSU Master Gardener Program
Program from Oregon State University Extension
School Garden Project of Lane County
School Garden Wizard
Information about planning, caring for, and learning from school gardens
Case Studies
Obsidian Middle School Native Plant Garden
Catlin Gabel School Invasive Plants Goat Patrol