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Growing Outdoor Classrooms Across Maryland
The Maryland Schoolyard Forests Program helps public schools use their campuses as places for outdoor learning, native tree planting, and long-term stewardship. School grounds are often one of the most familiar outdoor spaces in a student’s daily life. By bringing trees, forests, and natural systems into that setting, schools can give students direct experience with the environment where they learn, play, and build community.
The program supports two related goals: helping Maryland plant and maintain more native trees, and helping schools connect environmental literacy with hands-on learning. Through Maryland’s Five Million Trees initiative, the Maryland Forest Service works directly with schools to plan and plant native trees on school grounds throughout the year. Schools may also apply for up to $2,500 through the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund (CF2) to support creative, school-based projects that deepen outdoor learning and help students better understand their campus landscape.
Why Schoolyard Forests Matter
Children understand the natural world best when they can see, touch, measure, and care for it. A schoolyard tree can become a science lesson, a source of shade, a habitat observation, a writing prompt, a climate discussion, or a stewardship project that students return to year after year. By using the school campus as part of the learning environment, schools can make environmental literacy more immediate, practical, and memorable.
Schoolyard Forest projects also help schools meet Maryland’s commitment to environmental literacy. Maryland public schools are expected to provide multidisciplinary environmental literacy instruction, including opportunities for students to investigate environmental issues, understand natural systems, and take informed action. Tree planting, campus inventories, outdoor lessons, and stewardship activities give schools a practical way to connect those expectations to the places students know best.
The program also supports Maryland’s broader environmental goals. Trees planted and cared for on school grounds contribute to the state’s Five Million Trees initiative while improving shade, stormwater management, wildlife habitat, air quality, and campus comfort. Just as important, Schoolyard Forests help students see that statewide goals are built through local action — including the choices made on their own school grounds.
Ways to Participate
Free Tree Planting Support
Schools may work directly with the Maryland Forest Service to plan and plant native trees on school grounds through Maryland’s Five Million Trees initiative. Tree planting support is available throughout the year and may include help identifying suitable planting areas, selecting appropriate native tree species, coordinating planting activities, and connecting the planting to long-term care and student learning.
Planting projects may be small or large depending on the needs of the campus, available space, maintenance considerations, and school interest. Schools do not need to have a fully developed planting plan before contacting the program.
Community Forestry Catalyst Fund Grants
Schools may apply for up to $2,500 through the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund (CF2) for creative, school-based projects that use the campus as an outdoor classroom. CF2 grants can support projects that go beyond planting by helping schools strengthen environmental literacy, support outdoor instruction, provide learning materials, fund student experiences, and build long-term stewardship.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice each year. Schools are encouraged to contact the Maryland Forest Service before applying to discuss project ideas, eligible activities, and available support.
Schoolyard Forest Opportunities
Explore free Schoolyard Forest support for your campus.
Schoolyard Forest support may include:
- Classroom learning materials
- Project Learning Tree trainings
- Campus tree inventory & stewardship planning
- Arbor Day & Earth Day support
- Support for Maryland Green School Certification
- Summer tree maintenance
- Hazard tree assessment & removal
- Native tree planting
- Field trip transportation
- Outdoor classroom activities
Because every campus is different, schools are encouraged to contact the program early. Maryland Forest Service staff can help schools think through project ideas, identify realistic next steps, and connect available resources to the needs of the campus.
Who Can Participate?
The Schoolyard Forests Program is open to Maryland public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Schools do not need a fully developed project to get started. Teachers, administrators, facilities staff, district staff, parent-teacher organizations, and community partners working with public schools may contact the Maryland Forest Service to discuss tree planting, outdoor learning, or schoolground stewardship opportunities.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
Schoolyard Forests Program
Maryland Forest Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, E-1
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
[email protected]
