Tremont Endorses the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has joined a national coalition of organizations endorsing the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act (S.4258), a bill that would invest in transforming school grounds into nature-based learning environments.
Across the United States, nearly 50 million children attend schools on millions of acres of land – much of it covered in asphalt. This bill aims to direct federal resources toward creating greener, more dynamic schoolyards that support hands-on learning, provide shade and outdoor play opportunities, and strengthen the health and well-being of students and communities.
The legislation would establish a grant program to help schools plan and implement these revitalized spaces, with a focus on communities with the greatest need. These “living schoolyards” can include trees, gardens, outdoor classrooms, and gathering spaces designed to support both learning and play.
“When done with intention, outdoor learning increases students’ curiosity while aligning with academic standards across disciplines,” said Catey McClary, Tremont President & CEO. “As an environmental education center, we see this impact every day: time spent outdoors transforms how students see themselves as learners and their place in the world. This bill is an important step toward making that experience accessible to school communities nationwide.”
For more than 50 years, Tremont has worked alongside educators to bring experiential, place-based learning into classrooms and schoolyards through teacher training and resources. This legislation reflects a growing recognition that outdoor spaces are not separate from learning; they are essential to it.
Take Action
Support the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act:
- Contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to support S.4258
- Encourage your organization to sign on as part of the national endorsement coalition
Together, we can help ensure that all students have access to meaningful outdoor learning experiences.
Header image courtesy of Green Schoolyards America.
