Schoolyard Habitats®

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to supporting school communities in developing their schoolyard habitats.

This campaign utilizes the National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitats® Planning Guide to plan, build, and maintain your garden spaces, leading you through a clear, step-by-step process. Utilize the Schoolyard Habitats action cards for each step of the process, from assessing the site to maintaining the habitat. Support pollinators like native bees and monarch butterflies by building a food or pollinator garden. Learn how your school can earn the Schoolyard Habitats badge for 2027.

2027 Eco-Schools U.S. Schoolyard Habitats Badge

Schoolyard Habitats® Campaign Overview


Login to the Eco-Schools Certification Application (ECA) and complete 2 of the 5 Schoolyard Habitats® action cards:

  • Engage the Community
  • Assess Your Site
  • Design the Habitat*
  • Build the Habitat
  • Maintain the Habitat

*For Design the Habitat, select from one of six garden projects:

  • Create a Rain Garden
  • Grow a Schoolyard Forest
  • Indoor Gardening and Greenhouses
  • Build a Pollinator Garden
  • Build an Edible Garden
  • Use a Create Your Own action card in the development of a type of garden not listed above

September - May

  • Schoolyard Habitats Planning Guide
  • Schoolyard Habitats Webinar Series
    • Webinar #1: Moving beyond the Garden: Creating your Schoolyard Outdoor Classroom
    • Webinar #2: Best Practices of Outdoor Learning: Moving From an Indoor to an Outdoor Educator
    • Webinar #3: Maximizing the Educational Potential of Your School Campus for Learning
    • Webinar #4: Expanding and Maintaining Your Outdoor Classroom for Learning: Design Ideas & Tools

  • Share your impact! Share your Schoolyard Habitats® actions by tagging @EcoSchoolsUSA on Facebook and @NWFEducation @EcoSchoolsInt on Instagram #SDG11 #SDG15 #SchoolGarden
  • Learn how to certify your schoolyard habitat and consider purchasing a Certified Schoolyard Habitat sign to celebrate your accomplishments.
  • Your school may also be selected and featured across our national and international community!