The Living Schoolyards Act of 2022 grants a greener future for our nation’s children

We are thrilled to announce the introduction of legislation in the United States Senate to provide grants to schools and districts to transform their schoolyards into dynamic outdoor learning environments. The Living Schoolyards Act of 2022, introduced and sponsored by Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), calls for $700 million dollars to be invested in American schoolyards over the next four years. 

This pioneering bill will, for the first time in history, introduce the concept of living schoolyards into the federal record and when passed will direct important federal resources and funding towards transforming school grounds into living schoolyards—richly layered outdoor environments that strengthen local ecological systems while providing place-based, hands-on learning resources for youth of all ages. 

Outdoor Learning Spaces Grants will allow schools or districts to create outdoor classrooms and learning spaces. School districts will develop a master plan to turn all or some of their school yards into Living Schoolyard Projects. This process will involve community input and factor in ecological goals, educational and health outcomes for students, and relevant community partners. In the implementation phase, school districts will build the Living Schoolyards and offer professional development to educators to help them incorporate the outdoor spaces into their teaching.

Green Schoolyards America wholeheartedly endorses the Living Schoolyards Act of 2022 and applauds and supports Senator Heinrich’s leadership in working to create a greener, healthier future for children, their communities, and the planet by authoring this legislation.  The legislation’s positive impact on children, families, communities, and the planet will be far reaching and we look forward to supporting the bill’s passage in the U.S. Congress.