Nature has an incredible power to inspire and nurture young minds. It fosters creativity, curiosity, and a sense of wonder that transcends traditional classroom settings. PEF recently hosted our Summer Enrichment Program at the Jackson Dual Language Magnet Academy campus. If you haven’t seen the campus recently you are in for a surprise—the outdoor areas have been transformed into a vibrant and eco-friendly space that promotes both learning and environmental stewardship.
Amigos de los Rios, an organization committed to empowering community members with shared values of environmental stewardship, cultural awareness, and the power to affect positive change, led the project.
The new schoolyard has pervious pavement, bioretention planters, and bioswales. These sustainable stormwater management solutions serve multiple purposes. They improve drainage, prevent flooding, and address vector issues, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. These eco-friendly features also play a significant role in conserving water and protecting water quality – essential lessons in environmental responsibility that students can witness firsthand.
Five outdoor classrooms and learning areas were created, designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. Boulders and recycled urban lumber were used for seating, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere for both structured learning and moments of reflection. These outdoor spaces encourage teachers to embrace innovative teaching methods, taking advantage of nature’s classroom.
Other features include a pervious concrete path around the perimeter of the sports field for enhanced physical education, engineered wood fiber instead of rubber for safety zones around play areas, multiple nature-based play areas include a “sideways tree,” log couches, log throne and log stump cluster, the planting of 36 new trees and 600 shrubs.
Incorporating nature into the learning environment allows students to develop a profound connection with the outdoors and a sense of stewardship and appreciation for the natural world.
PEF, PUSD, and Amigos de los Rios recently worked together on a successful application to the Green Schoolyards grant program of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which will fund more projects like this at additional district schools over the next several years. PEF looks forward to continuing to work with Amigos de los Rios and PUSD on projects that blend education and nature.
Read more about the Jackson project and Amigos de los Rios here.
