City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Unified School District are working together to bring green spaces to school grounds

Mayor Paul Deasy and Superintendent Michael Penca have teamed up to improve the health, wellbeing and academic achievement of the children of Flagstaff. The two executives are committed to transforming Flagstaff’s school grounds into natural green spaces where children can connect with nature and enjoy healthy, active time outdoors.

Flagstaff was selected as one of 10 cities (out of 27 applicants) to receive training and technical assistance to build schoolyards through Cities That Connect Children With Nature (CCCN), a joint initiative of the National League of Cities and Children & Nature
Network. Flagstaff joins a national movement of cities working to ensure that children have equitable access to the benefits of nature.

Research shows that green schoolyards can improve children’s physical, mental and academic performance, as well as the health and well-being of the population. These green schoolyards are used for learning and playing outside during the school day – and are available to children, families and the surrounding districts outside of the school. Efforts will prioritize schools in neighborhoods that do not have access to parks and green spaces.

“These schoolyards not only provide important spaces for children to play, learn, explore and grow, but also provide the surrounding neighborhoods with access to parks and green spaces, which are critical to the health and wellbeing of Flagstaff residents,” said Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton. “[It will] be a big step towards the equity and resilience goals in our climate protection and adaptation plan. “

As part of the application process, Mayor Paul Deasy and Superintendent Michael Penca signed a green schoolyard pledge affirming their shared vision of creating fair access by creating green schoolyards that are proven to cover a wide range of health, academic and health issues To promote the benefits of nature, environmental benefits for children and the local community. This joint green school playground strategy supports Flagstaff’s related goals of improving access to nature, neighborhood resilience, habitat creation for pollinators and rainwater management.

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having access to safe, outdoor green spaces that are within walking distance. Green schoolyards can fill a critical gap in missing parts of the city
Access to parks and natural areas due to inequalities in the design and distribution of parks and green spaces. The pandemic also inspired many schools to include outdoor learning in their curriculum. City and school officials see green schoolyards as an important way to rebuild stronger and fairer after COVID-19.

The local non-profit organization Terra BIRDS will lead the project. Terra BIRDS Founder and Director John Taylor writes: “Although Flagstaff is surrounded by public land and forest, there are many local youth who have neither the encouragement nor the support to explore these natural places. By including a variety of plants, appropriate urban wildlife and food gardens in our schoolyards, we offer children the opportunity to develop a daily relationship with nature. This interaction is healthy for children; And in return, our environment needs more people who take care of nature and actively care for it. “

Flagstaff will assemble a team from CCCN Green Schoolyards – with members ranging from education and park officials to local nonprofit and community leaders – to receive training and technical assistance from national experts over the next three years. The team will map local resources like school playgrounds, community partners, funding opportunities, and more to create a map for Flagstaff’s green school playground. A pilot is expected to begin next year and will focus on the new construction of Killip Elementary to ensure the schoolyard meets the community’s needs for rainwater harvesting, pollinator habitat, vegetable garden, and a space to study and explore.

In the past, our school has used our diverse cultural and ecological learning opportunities for our students. This partnership will be a positive bridge for the Sunnyside community as green schoolyards are incorporated into our new facility, ”said Sheryl, STEM Coordinator and Technology Integration Coach, Wells.

60,000 copies are printed annually! How can you add your company? Call 928-257-4177 or send an email to [email protected] or fill out the form at www.signalsaz.com.