Describes the efforts of two teachers to construct a pond and woods on school grounds. The teachers used specialized student teams for working on a wetland study and the building project. An advisory committee including teachers, the principal, and the custodian worked through maintenance issues. Relates teaching surprises associated with the…

Since only a few of the original landforms, streams, natural ecosystems, wild plants or animals still exist in our cities and suburbs, schools can help to fill this void by creating diverse learning environments around school buildings. Among the suggestions are a wet area, tall or short grass prairies, a boulder field, vegetable garden plots,…

Discusses the benefits as well as the concerns of changing traditional asphalt and turf grass grounds into educational resources. Benefits include an opportunity for hands-on learning, a softer and more creative area for play, a reduction in school ground violence among students, an ecologically improved landscape, and a reduction in maintenance…