Sustainable grounds management focuses on maintaining school landscapes in ways that protect environmental health, support biodiversity, and enhance the well-being of the school community. This START metric encourages practices like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and sustainable land care, which minimize the use of harmful chemicals, conserve resources, and create habitats for local wildlife.
The importance of this work is clear: biodiversity loss is accelerating, with up to 1 million species at risk of extinction due to human activity (IPBES). Schools have a unique opportunity to counter this trend by managing their grounds as models of sustainable stewardship, demonstrating how thoughtful land care can foster healthy ecosystems while providing a vibrant learning environment for students.
Strategies for Sustainable Grounds Management
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Implement IPM strategies to reduce pesticide use by prioritizing prevention, monitoring, and control methods.
Use natural pest deterrents like companion planting or introducing beneficial insects.
Plant Native and Pollinator-Friendly Vegetation
Incorporate native plants into landscaping to support local ecosystems and reduce water and maintenance needs.
Create pollinator habitats with flowering plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Establish Wildlife Habitats
Install birdhouses, bat boxes, or insect hotels to encourage biodiversity.
Designate areas as natural habitats where wildlife can thrive undisturbed.
Minimize Chemical Use
Replace chemical fertilizers and herbicides with organic or natural alternatives.
Use compost or mulch to nourish soil and suppress weeds.
Conserve Water Resources
Install rain gardens or bioswales to manage stormwater and reduce runoff.
Use drip irrigation systems and drought-resistant plants to minimize water usage.
Reduce Lawn Areas
Replace traditional lawns with wildflower meadows, native grasses, or other low-maintenance ground covers.
Use permeable surfaces for walkways and play areas to reduce water runoff.
Practice Sustainable Landscaping
Compost yard waste like leaves and grass clippings on-site for use as natural fertilizer.
Plan seasonal maintenance to align with ecological needs, such as trimming during non-nesting periods.
Engage Students in Grounds Management
Involve students in planting and maintaining gardens, creating a hands-on learning opportunity.
Incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem topics into science and sustainability curricula.
Monitor and Improve Soil Health
Test soil regularly to ensure optimal nutrient levels and adjust care practices accordingly.
Use soil amendments like biochar or compost to enhance fertility and carbon storage.
Collaborate with Community Experts
Partner with local environmental organizations, horticulturists, or ecologists to guide grounds management practices.
Host workshops or events to educate the school community on sustainable landscaping.
Create Outdoor Learning Spaces
Designate areas of the school grounds as outdoor classrooms or nature trails.
Use these spaces to teach students about biodiversity, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Track and Celebrate Progress
Monitor biodiversity improvements, such as increases in pollinator populations or plant diversity.
Share successes with the school community through events, newsletters, or signage on campus.
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An Introduction to Integrated Pest Management
From the EPA, a short introduction to Integrated Pest Management benefits and techniques.
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EPA Guide to Implementing a School IPM Plan
From the EPA, guidance on developing an IPM policy & plan, record-keeping, & evaluating the costs & offsets.
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IPM Grounds Management Primer
From Missouri Green Schools, step-by-step guidance for starting IPM land management, with helpful links to additional resources.
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How to Create a Green Schoolyard
From the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), steps to a green schoolyard, examples of garden design & learning tools, tips and case studies.
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How to Start a School Grounds Greening Project
From Evergreen, a guide to planning, implementing and maintaining a greening project, including student activities and useful templates.
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Planning & Designing Green School Grounds
From TCDSB, principles, building additions, grading & drainage considerations, construction materials, & planting guidelines for green schoolyards.
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Ground Greening Guidelines for Play & Learning
From Winnipeg School Division, planning principles, design frameworks, building & maintaining grounds, centered on play & learning.
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Landscaping the Sustainable Campus
While created for campuses in Indiana, this guide from IWF provides useful tips on pages 10-12 for creating sustainable school grounds.
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Creating an School Integrated Pest Management Plan (NJ)
While created for schools in New Jersey, this guide provides useful tips for creating an IPM policy, roles & responsibilities, pest identification & pesticide use, record keeping & evaluations.
Additional Resources
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Report: Safer Schools through Integrated Pest Management
From the School Pesticide Reform Coalition, an in-depth look at Integrated Pest Management and case studies, and tips on how to get your school to adopt an IPM program.
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Model School District Integrated Pest Management Policy
From the EPA, a model pesticide safetey and IPM guidance policy for school districts.
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Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.