Outdoor Classrooms
- Beautifying school environments
The Greening of Detroit works with dozens of schools throughout the city of Detroit, planting trees to beautify children’s schoolyards, and teaching students how to become stewards of their environment. The Greening’s school programming provides extensive workshops, curriculum and training to Detroit’s educators, while providing students with opportunities to experience nature first-hand using the outdoors as their classroom laboratory.
At Neinas Elementary School in Detroit, The Greening helps school staff plan many activities for students – from lessons in observation of plants and animals to working to design and construct habitats for birds and butterflies. The Greening also sponsors all day cleanups of existing garden areas and plantings which could include, trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals in the outdoor classroom at each school. These activities not only beautify the children’s school environment, but help teachers meet essential goals for their science education programs, aligning with national, state and district goals of promoting higher test scores for students, as well as a love for science that will extend into high school and beyond.
Over the next five years, students throughout Detroit will plant 1500 trees. The project will revitalize school campuses, while also introducing students to the need to reforest our city and the important role trees play in our urban environment. In addition, the Greening will distribute 10,000 seed boxes to youth at schools and those attending festivals, fairs and community events.
If you’re a principal or educator, contact The Greening of Detroit’s Education Director to talk about how we can guide and inspire your students. Call us at 313.237.8733.