Flagstaff Green Schoolyards Initiative

children at ponderosa

About

In 2021, Flagstaff was selected as a cohort city for the Cities Connecting Children to Nature Green Schoolyards Initiative, a national partnership between the Children and Nature Network and the National League of Cities. This Initiative is focused on increasing equitable access to nature for all children, with the aim to create systems-wide change by activating City and district-wide leadership while leveraging interagency partnerships.

Green Schoolyards Flagstaff (GSY-FLG) is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to building equitable green spaces throughout our local community. The group formed after receiving a three-year technical assistance grant from the Children & Nature Network and began action in year 1 through the reconstruction of Killip Elementary School. Looking forward, the coalition hopes to foster improvements in other Flagstaff schools.

Year 1 Accomplishments


During 2021-2022 the Flagstaff Green Schoolyards coalition supported physical improvements to the Killip campus to include elements that promote equitable green space, such as a new raised bed garden area, a registered pollinator garden, and space for a new greenhouse. Additionally, new afterschool programming including a Junior Master Gardener program, Horticultural Therapy program and stewardship work with Terra BIRDS on the campus have been instituted thanks to the work of the coalition.

killip planting day

Partners

The Flagstaff Green Schoolyards Team is always looking to expand our partnerships. If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please get in touch with us via email.