Keeping the momentum of your schoolyard naturalization project going can be difficult.  Whether your project was just planted, or is several years old, there are things you can do to ensure its sustainability.

A schoolyard naturalization project is the perfect venue for introducing students and members of the school and surrounding community to the concept of environmental stewardship.  ‘Stewardship’ in an environmental context is the sense of responsibility towards nature.  When nature is brought into an urban context, and especially onto a school ground, we need to set the stage for how the site will be used, maintained and protected into the future.  These issues are dealt with in Project stewardship.

Many schools maintain interest in the site through on-going additions, improvements and embellishments.  These may be things such as benches, signs, bird houses or art installations.  See Dress it Up for more examples. Events around these additions can encourage future use and stakeholder support.

Learn how other schools have successfully sustained their naturalization projects by referring to our Schools in action page. 

You may need funding for additions and improvements to the site.  Suggestions can be found in Find new funding.

Ask for assistance. A full listing of resources can be found on the How we help page.