This winter, six schoolyards in Utrecht will undergo a green transformation. The Municipality of Utrecht, Utrecht Natuurlijk and Meer Bomen Nu join forces to transform paved schoolyards into cooler, healthier and climate-friendly places for children.
On the morning of Thursday, December 18, work was done to green the schoolyard of Basisschool De Schakel in Overvecht.
Alderman Linda Voortman (Green): A green schoolyard is more than just a piece of nature at the school; it is an investment in healthy children, a climate-resilient neighborhood and a community that learns that sustainability starts where you play.
image: children planting trees next to the school building
Cooling and increasing biodiversity
Green schoolyards are not only more beautiful. They also provide cooling, promote biodiversity and help capture rainwater during heavy showers. Utrecht therefore actively invests in greening: schools, sports clubs, care locations, religious institutions and other semi-public grounds can apply for subsidies for gardening costs.
Utrecht Natuurlijk provides tree lessons in the classroom after which children plant trees together with the municipalitys ecologist. Annually, about 600 children in Utrecht receive tree lessons this way. In addition, participating locations receive seedlings from Meer Bomen Nu. These young trees are harvested this autumn in and around Utrecht and contribute to a circular, local tree supply.
image: children planting trees next to the school building
Help and contact – Municipality of Utrecht
Visiting address
Stadsplateau 1
3521 AZ Utrecht
Postal address
Postbus 16200
3500 CE Utrecht