Green Schoolyards Gain Momentum Across Southern California

Schoolyard greening projects in Southern California have reached a major milestone, fueled by $150 million in state grants approved in 2022. About a dozen organizations are transforming asphalt-covered campuses into green spaces, providing shade, vegetation, and safer play areas for students. Advocates say the work is urgently needed as many children attend schools in areas with little tree canopy and extreme heat, with asphalt temperatures reaching 142 degrees in some San Fernando Valley campuses.

As reported by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, groups like the Trust for Public Land, North East Trees, and TreePeople are leading the charge. North East Trees recently completed a major project at Buchanan Elementary in Highland Park, removing 400 tons of asphalt and planting 150 trees, including fruit varieties like peach and avocado. These efforts not only cool down campuses but also help absorb and collect stormwater. 

Momentum for schoolyard greening is growing, with organizations tapping into philanthropic contributions and local funding sources like the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)’s Measure US and state Proposition 2 bonds. TreePeople alone has 28 active projects in Los Angeles County, building on the vision of late CEO Cindy Montañez. While thousands of schools still need greening, advocates say projects are becoming easier to fund and implement, reflecting a broader commitment to creating safe, shaded, and nature-rich environments that students both need and deserve.