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Dearborn Public Schools

Salina Green Schoolyards

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

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“Every child should experience the joys and benefits of nature regardless of where they live. Dearborn Green Schoolyards will support 21st Century education, promote children's health, well-being and joy, and function as ecologically rich community schools that connect children and their neighborhoods to the natural world right outside their classroom door.”

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The Vision

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Did you know that time in Nature provides huge benefits to mental health and wellness?

300 seconds spent viewing a natural setting result in positive changes in blood pressure, heart activity, muscle tension and brain electrical activity

20 Minutes spent outside in nature could significantly reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone

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2 hours in nature every week is proven to make you feel happier and healthier

3 months of therapeutic gardening activities helped reduce severity of depression and increase attentional capacity for patients with clinical depression

100+ Studies have shown that stress reduction is a key perceived benefit of outdoor recreation, considering both nearby nature and wilderness settings

SOURCES

  1. Ulrich et al., 1991; Ulrich, 1981 Hunter, Gillespie & Chen, 2019; White et al., 2019; Gonzalez, et al., 2010; Davis, 2004.

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Green Schoolyards

  • Transformed Schoolyards into nature spaces
  • Hills and Mounds, tunnels and rock walls
  • Trees and enhanced landscaping
  • Gardens: rain, pollinator, vegetable
  • Outdoor Classrooms
  • Nature Playscape elements that promote balance, stamina, flexibility and agility

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Cities in the US are Greening their Schoolyards

  • Children and Nature Network
  • National League of Cities
  • Grand Rapids/Superintendent, Mayor
  • Michigan Coalition: Grand Rapids, Dearborn, Detroit

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  • Develop the Vision, Mission, Goals: collaborate with district, city, and community partners
  • Feedback from parents, students, community members
  • Revision of plan and calibration
  • Funding

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The Design Process

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Salina Schools as the Model

Video created by Salina Intermediate student

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SALINA ST - BEFORE

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SALINA ST - AFTER

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Outdoor Classroom at Salina Elementary, June 2023: Garden

Thank you to the district and Cleveland Cliffs

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2023 Pockets of Perception (POP) Mural completed by students and artists. Led by the Dearborn Community Fund

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HOW DOES NATURE AFFECT PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH?

Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behaviour. Time in nature helps us reduce anxiety, decreases brooding and stress, and increases our attention capacity, creativity, and our ability

to connect with other people.

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Community Partners

  • Wayne State Univ
  • ICCD
  • Cleveland Cliffs
  • Dearborn Sausage
  • Home Depot
  • Levy
  • SouthEnders
  • City of Dearborn
  • ACCESS
  • Dearborn Community Fund
  • LAHC
  • CRSD
  • Friends of the Rouge
  • UM/Dearborn

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How You Can Help

  • Make a donation
  • In kind support (supplies, equipment, landscaping)
  • Networking: share organizations and people that can help
  • Volunteer: help with a project, lessons for students, support with the garden

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  • Grants, Pledges, Donations
  • In Kind (trees, gardens/supplies, rain gardens, musical) @$100,000
  • Levels of Giving:
    • Golden Tree Circle 100K Evergreen Circle $5000
    • Silver Birch Circle 50K Partner $1000
    • Bronze Tree Circle 25K Donor, Friend (in kind)
    • Sequoia Circle 10K

Funds raised: $552,000

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Help Fund the Dream

Salina Website

QR Code to donate through the Dearborn Education Foundation