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1. Research the types of native flora and fauna you might expect to find on your school grounds.
- Identify birds using the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird ID Tool.
- Identify trees using the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Identification Field Guide.
- Use eNature’s Zipguide to develop a comprehensive local wildlife guide.
- Use the American Beauties Plant Search to identify plants native to your region.
2. Certify your school as a Schoolyard Habitat.
- Help restore habitat that gives local wildlife food, water, cover and places to raise their offspring.
- Create a place for interdisciplinary learning and creative instruction.
3. Add an organic garden (or improve an existing one) on your school grounds.
- Let students select what fruits and vegetables to grow and be involved in harvesting.
- Show students the value of organic gardening and introduce them to natural pest management systems.
4. Replace invasive plants with natives.
- Contact your local native plant society or state Department of Natural Resources to find out which plants are invasive in your area.
- Learn the appropriate way to remove the specific invasive plant you are targeting.
- Use systemic herbicides carefully as a last resort to remove invasive plants.
5. Consider reducing the percentage of hard surfaces on your school grounds.
- Investigate whether it is possible to remove concrete in certain areas and replace with flower beds or a garden.
- Consider using permeable pavers and other hard surfaces that allow for water filtration.
- Use potted plants to add greenery and habitat to hard surface areas that will remain intact.
6. Participate in a citizen science project.
- Track birds through The Great Backyard Bird Count.
- Track plants through Project Budburst.
- Find out if a local environmental organization is running a BioBlitz in your region, or create your own.
7. Encourage students to connect with nature by exploring and observing the great outdoors.
- Take regular walks around the school grounds and invite students to point out plant and animal species.
- Have students to keep a nature notebook or a tree journal.
- Give students free time outdoors to simply explore and enjoy nature.
8. If you have wetlands or a body of water on or adjacent to your school grounds, learn how to protect it.
- Avoid runoff by prohibiting use of pesticides and fertilizer on school grounds.
- Use native plants and shrubs as buffers near water.
- Create signs that encourage people not to litter or pollute.
9. Make your school grounds a safe and inviting place where flora, fauna and students can all flourish.
- Avoid using pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
- Attract birds by installing nesting boxes, bird baths and feeding stations.
- Put up barriers and establish pathways to prevent people from trampling on and damaging established habitat.
- Choose plants that will attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.
10. Educate the school community about the importance of biodiversity.
- Ask someone from a local organization (such as a zoo or native plant society) to give a presentation about biodiversity for students.
- Put up signs highlighting the different types of plants and animals that call your school grounds home.
- Discuss with students how the ecosystem they live in differs from ecosystems in other parts of the world, and what plants and animals make it unique
