Interpret Green and The Trust for Public Land Parks for People Team Up to Transform William Cramp Community School’s Schoolyard
It was fantastic to see our students interacting with nature and with each other in such a positive manner. Indeed, there is certainly Lots to Love about Lots-to-Learn. — Deanda Logan, Principal, William Cramp Community School
Most would not — could not — argue against the extreme value of a child’s education, but for some, it is vital to emphasize how important it is for that education to extend beyond the physical confines of a classroom. Children learn in myriad and diverse ways. Children are heavily influenced by their environment — this goes for adults too — and although this sentiment is often expressed to communicate negative environmental impacts on young learners in cities, there are big thinkers and imaginative do-ers considering educational sites and how to incorporate natural and vegetative aspects to learning environments.
Interpret Green’s Lots-To-Learn Project at William Cramp Community School in North Philadelphia was recently honored with the 2016 Groundbreaker Award from the Delaware Valley Green Building Council.
The Trust for Public Land’s Parks for People — Philadelphia program worked directly with students to turn the school’s previous asphalt parking lot into a beautiful green schoolyard. Interpret Green’s Lots-to-Learn project then transformed the newly landscaped areas into an amazing “learning landscape” that integrates thriving wildlife habitats with interactive science, education & art. DVGBC’s award recognized Lots-to-Learn for its “groundbreaking” dedication to students, creative innovation, sustainable initiatives, beauty and reverence for nature.
The Lots-to-Learn project was commissioned and funded via a Community Impact Fund grant from the Trust for Public Land. The support and guidance from TPL’s Parks for People — Philadelphia program was invaluable. ( Dave Lamm / @pwpvideo)
Interpret Green incorporated five aspects to this project: Habitat, Monitoring, Education, Beauty, and Care.
