Seven McAllen ISD elementary campuses will benefit from a multi-million dollar grant to construct Schoolyard Forests on their school grounds.
“We’re kicking off our Schoolyard Forest grant, in partnership with McAllen ISD,” Colleen Hook, Executive Director for Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, said. “We are honored to be receiving $2.7 million from Texas A&M Forest Service to create seven Schoolyard Forests in McAllen on elementary-school grounds.”
The seven schools include Alvarez, Fields, Houston, Jackson Roosevelt, Seguin and Wilson. A Schoolyard Forest is like an outdoor classroom where students can come into contact with nature. It gives them a place to explore and let their imagination take flight.
“It will benefit our students by, not only providing outdoor learning spaces, but a great look at nature and live science action,” Fields Principal Teresa Trdla said. “It will give them the opportunity to go outside and explore trees, nature, different insects and we’re really excited.”
Schoolyard Forests can also provide shade, mitigate flooding and cool the neighborhood.
“With these grants, we aim to create green schoolyard spaces for kids and the community to utilize, not only spaces to explore and connect with nature, but also to learn within them,” Carlos Garcia-Batlan of the Texas A&M Forest Service said. “Studies show that kids who spend time within trees do better in schools. Trees that are planted strategically near buildings and structures allow for energy conservation and can save up to 25 percent in energy costs. So there are many benefits with having trees within our communities.”
Quinta Mazatlan officials and a landscape architect recently visited the schools to perform assessments. The plan is to increase the tree canopy (currently between five and nine percent) by up to 30 percent at each campus. The project’s timeline is three years.
“It’s something that we’ve had on our wish list for a long time, to have outdoor learning spaces for our students,” Roosevelt Principal Rachel Montgomery said. “Our teachers can conduct lessons outside and it’s such a great opportunity.”
The Children and Nature Network, a non-profit which advocates for green spaces in schools and communities nationwide, is tied to the project.
“McAllen is joining a national movement of greening school grounds,” Brenda Kessler, Program Manager for the Children and Nature Network said. “We support communities throughout the US and so McAllen is joining a cohort of many communities looking to transform these spaces that have a profound impact on children’s health, mental health and community environment. There are so many benefits to doing this work.”