WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Living Schoolyards Act that will enable schools to completely re-envision their outdoor school grounds with the goal of providing more hands-on learning opportunities, strengthening local ecological systems, and giving every single child a place where they can learn and play outside.

“One of the most important lessons that we learned from the pandemic is just how critical the outdoors can be to our mental and physical well-being,” Heinrich said. “For many kids, the closest outdoor space is not a national or urban park, but the spaces right outside their classroom doors. The Living Schoolyards Act will help schools develop outdoor learning environments that introduce more kids to new experiences on their journey to academic success.”

The Living Schoolyards Act would establish an Outdoor Learning Spaces Grants program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, to allow schools or districts to create outdoor classrooms and learning spaces.

Schools will be able to use these funds to install canopies, tents, open-sided structures, electricity, generators, furniture, storage, Wi-Fi nodes and charging stations, outdoor food and distribution facilities, gardens, and weather-related clothing.

The Living Schoolyards Projects will be designed through a two-step process for school districts to apply for these grants through the U.S. Department of Education:

Living Schoolyards accomplish a number of important goals including:

The Living Schoolyards Act is supported by Green Schoolyards America, Environmental Education New Mexico, New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division, Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District, ABQ Backyard Refuge Program Director, Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Bosque Education Guide, Audubon Southwest, Amigos de la Sevilleta, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, and KABOOM!.

“America’s public-school grounds cover an estimated 2 million acres and play a central role in children’s daily lives,” Sharon Danks, CEO and founder of Green Schoolyards America said. “Greening school grounds by removing asphalt and adding trees is a cost-effective way to directly protect students from the effects of extreme heat due to climate change. We applaud Sen. Heinrich’s leadership on this groundbreaking.”

Green Schoolyards America is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with school districts to transform asphalt-covered school grounds into nature-rich places that improve learning and health.

“I fully endorse this legislation on behalf of Cottonwood Gulch. I am especially happy to see the ‘relevant community partners’ section of this summary. Thanks for your work on this, and thanks to Senator Heinrich for his leadership,” Jordan Stone, Executive Director for Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions said.

“KABOOM! believes every child should have equitable access to engaging, enriching, and empowering outdoor spaces for learning and play,” KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff said. “The Living Schoolyards Act will offer local school districts and nonprofits the support they need to create and foster outdoor spaces that will benefit kids and the local community. We know that kids who get to spend time outside when they’re young grow to better appreciate their environment and their surrounding community over their lifetime.” 

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