Green school yards transform paved or barren school grounds into nature-filled spaces with trees, gardens, and shaded areas. These spaces serve as play areas, outdoor classrooms, and community hubs. Green school yards help cool the environment, can help manage stormwater, and provide children with daily contact with nature. In Aruba, initiatives like food forests in schools teach students how to grow fruits and vegetables and integrate sustainable agriculture into the curriculum. Similar projects could be expanded on other islands to combine education, climate resilience, and community engagement.

Feasibility & Local Applicability

This adaptation option is relatively easy to implement and does not require large investments. Schools can start small with gardens or shaded areas and expand over time. Government support, partnerships with NGOs, and community involvement make projects more sustainable. Aruba’s experience shows that local engagement and volunteer participation are key to success.

Co-benefits

Green school yards improve thermal comfort, reducing heat exposure for children and teachers. They enhance biodiversity, absorb rainwater, and reduce urban heat islands. Students benefit from hands-on learning, better mental health, and increased physical activity. Communities gain shared green spaces for gardening and social activities. Over time, these projects foster climate awareness and sustainable behavior among young people.

Equity & Vulnerability Considerations

Greening school yards ensures that all children, including those in low-income neighborhoods, have access to nature and cooler spaces. This is especially important in the Caribbean, where heat disproportionately affects vulnerable groups. Inclusive design and community participation help address social inequities and create spaces that serve both schools and neighborhoods. Governmental and international funding programs can support public schools in funding the creation of green school yards.

Costs

Low | Initial expenses include soil preparation, plants, and basic irrigation, which can be offset through partnerships and volunteer work. Maintenance costs are modest and can be integrated into school activities.

Case studies & Examples

• Climate Adaptation Platform NL: Green-Blue Schoolyards links
• Children & Nature Network
• IUCN blog. Global Lessons on Green School Grounds and Outdoor Learning
• Aruba’s School Food Forest Initiative - Living Soil Aruba
• Living Soil in Aruba
• The agriculture project at primary schools has started

Literature

• Bohnert, A. M., Nicholson, L. M., Mertz, L., Bates, C. R., & Gerstein, D. E. (2022). Green schoolyard renovations in low‐income urban neighborhoods: Benefits to students, schools, and the surrounding community. American journal of community psychology, 69(3-4), 463-473. 
• Bos, M. S., Contreras, D., Schwartz, L., Alfonso, M., Bergamaschi, A., Corena Forero, C. A., Elacqua, G., Minoja, L., & Paez Trujillo, A. M. (2025). Heat-Proof Education in Latin America and the Caribbean. 
• Sekulova, F., & Mallén, I. R. (2024). The governance configurations of green schoolyards. Environmental science & policy, 156, 103752.