School Grounds Day

Ranger Rick, April, 1998

Hey, kids---there's still time for your school to participate in International School Grounds Day (ISGD). This year it'll be on Friday, May 1st. Last year, more than 1400 schools around the world took part by improving their schoolyards.

One ISGD idea is to make a video of a "day in the life" of your schoolyard. This will help you see how students, teachers, and others use the grounds. You could also draw a map of your grounds to help in making plans.

Now think about how you could improve your schoolyard. Could play areas be made safer? Could flowers, bushes, and trees be planted to make your grounds a better place for people and wildlife?

ISGDs of the past have been great fun. Schools have celebrated by planting trees, making bird feeders, playing games, and much more.

For more info---and a free poster---ask a teacher to contact: Sara Griffen; Schoolyard Habitat Program, Dept. RR; National Wildlife Federation; 8925 Leesburg Pike; Vienna, VA. Phone: 703-790-4582.