Greening Up Baltimore Schools

Urban sprawl generally is not viewed as the most desirable of settings – especially when referring to the daily backdrop for school-age children.

That’s why officials in the Baltimore, Md., area are making some changes to local school grounds, adding environmental appeal and a softer appearance.

The project, referred to as Greening Schools: Transforming Baltimore’s Schoolyards, is improving the urban environment by removing undesirable asphalt from public school grounds and replacing it with green lawns and Bay-friendly landscaping.

Landscape professionals, community leaders, educators, designers and scientists participating in the Baltimore school project can fill out applications online.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Water Quality Section is directing this project made possible in part by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Critical Area Mitigation Funds. Along with physical improvements to the schoolyards, Greening Schools has educational and community outreach components. Recreation and Parks, the Public School System, Living Classrooms Foundation, BES, and Parks & People have partnered to develop an academic enrichment program to empower elementary and middle school students to help redesign their schools for reduced rainwater runoff and pollutant loading.