The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act
The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act (S.4258/H.R.8303) was introduced in 2026 by U.S. Senator Heinrich (NM) in the Senate and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (PA) in the House. This groundbreaking bill will direct important federal resources towards upgrading school grounds into nature-based learning environments that help reduce the impacts of extreme weather while providing students access to shaded play, recreation, gardening and outdoor learning.
In the U.S. nearly 50 million children attend school on millions of acres of public land that is largely paved in asphalt. This land is a vital public resource that could do more to support the health and education of the students who use it. The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act (RSYA) will begin to address this need. This legislation is an updated version of the Living Schoolyards Act (S-1538), which aims to provide funding and support for the creation of green and living schoolyards.
Details and impact
The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act:
Creates a Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Grant Program;
Defines a Revitalized Schoolyard as a park-like outdoor environment at an elementary or secondary school that has been updated to strengthen local ecological systems, provide a range of hands-on learning resources, and foster nature play and social opportunities while enhancing the health and well-being of children and adults. These schoolyards may include trees and plants where children can access them; cultivated gardens; outdoor meeting and gathering areas; and other elements designed by, and for, the students and the surrounding community;
Allows funds to be used to plan and implement a revitalized schoolyard(s);
Prioritizes funding for communities with high rates of students receiving free and reduced meals program; and
Requires a catalog of best practices for creating these spaces
Office of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
Click to watch video: Living Schoolyard at Enos Garcia Elementary
© Tamar Barlev
Senator Heinrich and enos garcia elementary students in their living schoolyard
© Paige Green for Education Outside
© GREEN SCHOOLYARDS AMERICA
@Portland Public Schools, Maine
Help Promote the Bill
Green Schoolyards America worked closely with Senator Heinrich on its creation and is partnering to build support for this bill. Here are some ways you can help!
Endorse the bill
If your organization (nonprofit, business, agency, school, firm, etc.) would like to endorse the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act, please click the button below to fill out our endorsement form. As an endorser, your organization will be included in the growing coalition of supporters whose logos are at the bottom of this page. This coalition will be shared with Senator Heinrich and Representative Lee’s offices, with the congressional committees that review the bill, and with the press.
Your organization or business could also send a letter directly to your Member of Congress with specific information about your work in this area and the need in your state or district. Click here for a sample letter!
SEND A LETTER TO congress
Sending a letter to your Member of Congress asking them to cosponsor the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act is an easy and impactful way to support this legislation. Several organizations have action alerts, which are a very easy way to take action. Writing a letter in your own voice and with your own personal experience is even more effective.
Meet with your member of congress
Meeting with Members of Congress and/or their staff provides an opportunity to hear directly from constituents and learn more about revitalized schoolyards. Meetings can give Members of Congress and their staff a way to connect more deeply on revitalized schoolyards.
Organize a schoolyard visit
Site visits to a local schoolyard can be a great way to provide firsthand experience of the need for revitalized schoolyards. It can also elevate the work of your organization or district to people who could provide support and funding
Student advocacy kit
If you are a student (or a teacher) and would like to support the passage of the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act, download our Student Advocacy Kit. It includes information on living schoolyards, a sample letter to Congress, and a checklist to help you learn more about your own schoolyard.
Other ways to help
Follow Green Schoolyards America on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and repost our posts about the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act.
Why We Need Revitalized Schoolyards
Nearly 50 million students attend America’s public schools on campuses that occupy an estimated two million acres—some of our most heavily used and chronically underfunded public lands. Much of that land is paved, and yet school grounds play a central role in children’s lives and shape their perspective of the world around them.
The Benefits of Revitalized Schoolyards
Transforming school grounds into living and green schoolyards provides equitable access to:
Place-based, hands-on learning resources for youth of all ages
Shade that protects students from extreme heat and reduces cooling costs in buildings
Improved learning outcomes in all subject areas - especially important after pandemic-related learning loss
Nature that reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and bullying
Opportunities for varied types of physical activity to reduce obesity and improve health
Community green spaces outside of school hours
Collegial space for teachers to relax and connect
Jobs in designing, building, and caring for schoolyards
Learn more with our Webinar series
Want to learn more about the benefits of revitalized schoolyards and how to support the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act?
© GREEN SCHOOLYARDS AMERICA
© GREEN SCHOOLYARDS AMERICA
Schoolyard Transformations
View this photo gallery to see examples of schools that have transformed their schoolyards from primarily paved spaces to more diverse, green, and living landscapes.
A Growing Coalition of Support
National Organizations
State, REGIONAL, and Local Organizations and Schools
Designers, Businesses, and Individuals
