In Canada, the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program has been working closely with teachers and students to create green schoolyards across the country. In the last ten years, Toyota and Evergreen have teamed up to supply more than $2.3 million in grants for greening projects at over 2,500 schools, engaging almost a million students in the process.
Kids get to learn how to plant trees, and build and tend to vegetable gardens. They also have a hand in creating learning spaces that will endure for many generations to come—a legacy that cultivates a sense of caring for their community.
“Making connections with local communities is just one of many powerful outcomes of school ground greening projects,” says Evergreen Program Director Cam Collyer. “When teachers take their students outside, they’re sure to see positive results—from increased motivation for learning and positive social engagement to better retention of lesson material.”
