Case study: Green-blue Schoolyards
Photo acknowledgement: copy right- Thierry Schut
- Primary
- Outdoor
- Gardening / school garden / allotment, Hands-on activity
- Netherlands
Green-blue Schoolyards
The “Green Schoolyards” initiative (in Dutch: Groenblauwe Schoolpleinen) led by IVN Natuureducatie, a Dutch organisation dedicated to promoting nature-conscious behavioural change, aims to revolutionize traditional playgrounds by prioritizing natural elements over paved surfaces. These green schoolyards offer a range of advantages compared to conventional playgrounds, including enhanced educational outcomes, climate resilience, and increased biodiversity.
Objective
The overarching goal of the initiative is to green at least 50 percent of schools in the South of Holland. Specific objectives include:
- Facilitating the creation of outdoor learning environments to benefit children, the environment, and educational quality.
- Demonstrating how green outdoor spaces can mitigate climate-related challenges such as droughts, floods, and heat.
- Supporting biodiversity through architectural designs that cater to the needs of vegetation and other natural elements.
Approach
The initiative provides pupils and teachers with the opportunity to learn how to create or revamp their schoolyards by visiting and observing established green schoolyards and engaging with their environments. Through this process, participants gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of natural and environmental processes such as drought, rainfall, soil health, and biodiversity. Additionally, they learn how green spaces can bolster soil structure and biodiversity while mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. By implementing practices learned during the programme, participants contribute to climate change adaptation efforts, fostering hands-on learning experiences and collaborative problem-solving skills. Moreover, the initiative fosters connections with local government entities, empowering pupils to take proactive steps towards climate .