Greening Schoolyards

Turning asphalt back into living ecosystems.

With 30+ school gardens and farms created in the past 10 years, we transform underutilized school land into outdoor classrooms, peaceful refuges, and production farms supplying district nutrition services.

documentary photo, community planting day converting asphalt to garden, WCCUSDConverting blacktop to garden, WCCUSD
Systems challenge

Over the last few generations, schoolyards have been paved over with asphalt and concrete. Facilities departments are reluctant to bring green schoolyards back, mostly because of the ongoing cost and responsibility of maintenance — the benefits these projects bring to a school don't show up as income, so there's little incentive to make the investment.

Our approach

When we use green spaces to deliver high-quality, standards-based lessons, we give school leaders a reason to invest in them. Our educators involve the whole school community in caring for the space and coordinate with district maintenance, which turns a liability into a win.

By the numbers
01

30+ school gardens and farms created across the East Bay.past 10 years

02

20,000 sq ft of asphalt was transformed into green schoolyards.2025

03

2,700+ students are reached by new weekly outdoor education programs.2025

Students learn to care for the plants, and take pride and respect in the spaces they have cultivated. The areas where they garden are far more likely to be free of trash, graffiti.Kristian Hinz, principal, Edendale Middle (SLZUSD) — 2025 stakeholder survey
Our model

Three commitments on every project

Design for the school

Design each project around the school's specific goals and needs.

Local contractors

Partner with small local contractors committed to schools for the long term.

Programs that last

Build outdoor education that supports classroom instruction, enrichment, and family engagement.

From the field · placeholder photos
Before
TODO: photo, the same yard BEFORE — cracked asphalt, no shade (confirm pre-construction photos exist with team)Before — asphalt yard
After
TODO: photo, AFTER — raised beds, fruit trees, outdoor classroom in the same spotAfter — working garden
TODO: documentary photo, community build day — families & staff installing bedsCommunity build day
TODO: documentary photo, a class using the finished outdoor classroomOutdoor classroom in use

Bring this to your school.

Principals, PTAs, teachers, district staff — tell us about your campus and we'll talk through what's possible, from a first consultation to a full program.

Start a conversation

Fund this program.

Your gift keeps expert instructors, gardens, and fresh food at Title 1 schools across the East Bay.

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Our programs reinforce each other — keep reading.Next: Fresh Food Access →