"Tell me and I’ll forget, teach me and I’ll remember, involve me and I’ll learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
Schoolyards are going wild in the best possible way. Across North America, educators are transforming grassy, play spaces into buzzing ecosystems filled with native plants.
Why Native Plants?
Native plants are the original locals. They’ve evolved alongside regional wildlife, need less maintenance, and don’t require chemical fertilizers (Ontario Nature, 2020). When schools swap turfgrass for goldenrod, milkweed, and coneflowers, they’re not just beautifying the grounds they’re building outdoor classrooms that teach science, stewardship, and even social skills.
Planting native species on school grounds transforms the space into a living exhibit, offering students a tangible connection to their local ecosystems and a glimpse into what the environment looked like before urbanization and the introduction of non-native plants (Simpson-Young, 2024). Research shows that exposure to natural settings, including green views and nature-based play, enhances cognitive development particularly in areas like attention and memory (Vella-Brodrick & Gilowska, 2022). Schools that incorporate native plant gardens often see academic improvements in subjects related to plant care and environmental science, as students gain hands-on experience with ecosystems, life cycles, and the effects of climate change (Vella-Brodrick & Gilowska, 2022).
Why Planting Native Plants in Schoolyards is beneficial
Native plants aren’t just pretty faces they’re seasoned survivors. After thousands of years adapting to Canada's climate, these locals know how to thrive with less water, minimal fuss, and no chemicals. That means fewer garden chores, lower costs, and a big win for sustainability (Simpson-Young, 2024). For schools, it can become a great deal eco-friendly AND budget-smart. Think of a native garden as a living bridge connecting little pockets of nature across cities. These green corridors invite local wildlife to return and roam, even in the middle of urban life. With time, expect the schoolyard to come alive with feathered visitors, buzzing pollinators, and furry friends. It's not just landscaping (Vella-Brodrick & Gilowska, 2022). Planting native species isn’t just a sustainability win it’s a respectful nod to history. These plants carry deep cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples, representing traditional knowledge, stories, and ways of living connected to land and spirit (Kimmerer, 2015).
The Benefits of Planting Native Plants in Schoolyards
Native plants are more than just attractive they’re nature’s seasoned experts. Having adapted over thousands of years to Canada’s climate, these resilient species thrive with minimal water, little maintenance, and no need for chemical inputs. That means lower upkeep, reduced costs, and a major step toward sustainability (Simpson-Young, 2024). For schools, native gardens offer a practical way to be both eco-conscious and budget-wise.
Beyond savings, native gardens serve as living links between scattered green spaces across urban areas. These natural corridors invite local wildlife birds, bees, butterflies, and small mammals—back into schoolyards, turning them into vibrant, living ecosystems.
But the value of native planting goes even deeper. It's not just about the environment; it’s about honoring cultural heritage. Many native species hold profound meaning for Indigenous Peoples, reflecting traditional knowledge, stories, and deep connections to the land and spirit (Kimmerer, 2015). By choosing native plants, schools foster not only biodiversity, but also respect for history and culture (Vella-Brodrick & Gilowska, 2022).
I chose to do a case study for this weeks blog post to show an example of how schools are already incorporative native plantings. This is just one example of how schools across Ontario are incorporating native plantings into their school yards and how its benefiting not only their students but the environment and the community. Next weeks blog post we will be looking into different types of native plans and what pollinators benefit from them.
References
Kimmerer, R. W. (2015). Braiding sweetgrass. Milkweed Editions.
Ontario Nature. (June 30, 2020). Going Wild for Native Plants. Retrieved from https://ontarionature.org/going-wild-for-native-plants-blog/
Simpson-Young, C. (August 16, 2024). School Gardens Part 1: The Power of Native Plants. Retrieved from https://littlethingsecologyblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/the-power-of-native-plants-in-school-gardens/
Vella-Brodrick, D. A., & Gilowska, K. (2022). Effects of nature (greenspace) on cognitive functioning in school children and adolescents: A systematic review. Educational Psychology Review, 34(3), 1217-1254.
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