Moderated by CEO & Executive Director of the National League of Cities Clarence Anthony, the webinar brought together leaders from cities across the globe to discuss how transforming school grounds into nature-filled spaces can achieve sustainability and climate resiliency goals, among others.
We are grateful to the following city leaders for sharing their knowledge and expertise:
- Becky Daggett, Mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona
- Erick Shambarger, City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Sustainability Director
- Kim Verstrepen, Environmental Cabinet Advisor to Alderman Tom Meewus, Antwerp Belgium
- Luiz Fernando Machado, Mayor of Jundiaí Municipality, Brazil
During the webinar, these local leaders discussed how they engaged in critical partnerships to achieve a variety of city goals, from improving mental and physical health to expanding green space to addressing climate resiliency goals and more. Turning asphalt schoolyards into green spaces has the potential to help cities improve not just student health but the health of the local community and environment.
Resources Shared During the Webinar
NLC’s CitiesSpeak articles:
- How cities around the world are turning to school grounds to address climate change
- Climate solutions start in the schoolyard
Milwaukee Green Schoolyards program:
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District and Green Infrastructure
- Milwaukee and Reflo Schoolyard redevelopment project
Global Lessons case studies:
Children & Nature Network resources:
- In Flagstaff, Green schoolyards sprout after climate-related disasters
- Global Lessons on Greening School Grounds and Outdoor Learning
- Green Schoolyards: Let’s Get Started Toolkit
Nature Everywhere Initiative:
- Nature Everywhere landing page
- Aug. 10th webinar: Designing Community Strategies and Building Cross-sector Teams
Nature Everywhere Request for Applications 2023
Original event URL: https://www.nlc.org/events/lessons-from-cities-around-the-world-sustainability-and-resilience-through-green-schoolyards/