Explore a new EcoSchools campaign with action cards focused on the Schoolyard Habitats® Planning Guide
National Wildlife Federation
Schoolyard Habitats® Planning Guide
Every person should have access to green
space, clean air, water, and healthy soil.
But that’s not always the case, especially
in communities most impacted by racism
and wealth inequality. When you create a
schoolyard habitat, you give every student
in your school a chance to see, smell, touch,
and care for nature.
This guide will help you plan, build, and
maintain your National Wildlife Federation
Schoolyard Habitats® garden, leading you
through a clear, step-by-step process.
You’ll also find Green STEAM learning
opportunities for students and many
environment-based teaching tools.
The National Wildlife Federation
is committed to supporting school communities in developing their schoolyard habitats. Whether you’re
a teacher, administrator, parent, or
community member, we hope this guide
will help transform your schoolyard into a
vibrant, living resource for learning,
health, and community resilience.
Featuring:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hands-On Activities
Green STEAM Connections
“We are helping out nature a lot! I helped plant twelve trees today, and now I have a goal to plant one million by the time I’m old.”
–5th grader at Price Elementary, Lancaster, PA
View our webinar series designed around the Schoolyard Habitats Planning Guide
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,
Community Partnerships, & Funding
Additional Resources for your Schoolyard Habitat:
• Certify a Schoolyard Habitat
• Growing a Wild NYC: A K-5 Urban Pollinator Curriculum
• Growing a Pollinator Garden Seed Brochure
If you have questions or need assistance, send an email to ecoschoolsUS@nwf.org.
