Schoolyards Forest System Resource Library

In communities across the country, students often attend school on campuses dominated by asphalt and grass, with limited tree cover to offer protection from extreme heat and a changing climate. A growing body of research demonstrates that increasing tree canopy on school grounds can significantly reduce surface temperatures, provide shade, and create healthier, more resilient outdoor environments for learning and play.

The national Schoolyard Forest System®’s online Resource Library offers a suite of practical tools—case studies, educator resources, and green schoolyard planning guides—designed to help public school leaders expand tree coverage and build schoolyard forests. These shaded outdoor spaces not only protect students from rising temperatures, but also enhance academic opportunities, support social-emotional development, and contribute to long-term climate resilience. Drawing on data-driven reports and video testimonies, the site makes a compelling case for national investment in tree canopy initiatives as a strategy to safeguard student well-being and adapt to the impacts of climate change.