SW WA Green Schoolyards Action plan is ready!

We are so thrilled for the Lower Columbia Nature Network to partner with the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities to create an Action Plan for our region schools.

Check it out - Lower Columbia Nature Network's SW WA Green Schoolyard Action Plan! With our wide range of partners, we learned that successful outdoor learning does not start with just building more features, but supporting the whole circle of users to ensure that everyone is heard and the resulting features on the campus serves multiple goals:

• Flexible and adaptable features and spaces

• Accessible and inclusive design principles are a must

• Plan for school time, but also before school, after school, and community uses

• Review district policies for use and maintenance to ensure there are not conflicts

• Support hands-on teacher trainings, including providing clock hours

• Involve the students, staff and community in the design of features

• Include art, poetry, cultural elements that are unique to that school

• Maintenance needs should be low, do not add to the workload of staff

• Success is when the features add to the culture of the school's day in and day out success: great views, allow students to explore cool spaces, add shade, watch out for glare/bright spots, features tie directly to curriculum and school goals, everyone feels welcome and they have a space to meet their needs, passive and active spaces, etc.