Schoolyard forests and living schoolyards provide many immediate and long-term benefits to students and school communities, including improved health and learning, more vibrant ecosystems, and community benefits ranging from improved nature access to reduced crime rates. Research overwhelmingly shows that students, school communities, and the environment benefit from the creation of schoolyard forests on school grounds. This document is a comprehesive summary of the wide range of benefits that living schoolyards and schoolyard forests afford, and it includes detailed research citations for all of the benefits that are listed. This summary of benefits and citations can be used by stakeholders to help advocate for the creation and care of green schoolyards and schoolyard forests.
