In October 2023 Sonoma Ecology Center received two planning grants from CAL FIRE to provide “greening” features and designs for 12 elementary schools in underserved communities, including 4 in Santa Rosa and 8 in Pittsburg (in the East Bay Area). We were also able to add two schools in the West Contra Costa USD to the project.  In collaboration with our key partners, Bay Tree Landscape Design, Gates and Associates, and DC Architects, and with input from each school community and school district administration, we have now completed the shovel-ready plans for each school. 

Student scholars from Marina Vista Elementary School in Pittsburg give feedback on the proposed landscape improvements.

These greening designs include increased shade through tree plantings, areas for outdoor classrooms using natural elements such as large stones and logs for seating, and natural play areas to replace asphalt. We will be integrating biochar into all plantings to help save water and to help build heathy soils. We have also developed curriculum for improved environmental education at these schools using the model SEC has been successfully teaching at Sonoma Valley elementary schools. 

As a follow-on to the development of these plans, SEC assisted the Pittsburg USD in winning a $1.5 million green schoolyards implementation grant for Stoneman Elementary School, funded through CAL FIRE with money provided by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and work on this project will start in early 2025.  

SEC restoration staff also planted a total of 24 trees at Meadow View and Bellevue elementary schools in Santa Rosa with help from the school principal, teachers, parents, children, and volunteers from Bay Tree Design, the landscape Architect. A compost blend from Marin Compost using Pacific Biochar was integrated into each planting and each hole was carefully hand-dug at these two schools to prevent potential damage to endangered Tiger Salamanders.

We will continue to seek funds to implement our greening plans at all of the other schools to provide more natural elements for both play and outdoor education as well as more shade and relief from increasingly hot playgrounds.