Heinrich, Lee Introduce Bicameral Legislation Help Schools Re-Envision & Build Vibrant Outdoor Learning Spaces

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a former outdoor educator, and U.S. Representative Summer Lee (D-Pa.) introduced the Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act, bicameral legislation to help schools in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and nationwide transform schoolyards into vibrant, nature-rich spaces for learning, play, and community use.

For many kids, the closest outdoor space is an asphalt schoolyard - offering little opportunity for safe play, shade, or connection to nature. The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act helps address this by providing grants to schools and districts to transform their schoolyards into thriving outdoor learning spaces.

"As a father, I've seen firsthand how important it is for kids to have outdoor spaces where they can learn, play, and grow," said Heinrich. "I'm proud to lead legislation in the Senate that will help New Mexico schools turn schoolyards into greener spaces where students can garden, conduct outdoor science experiments, and connect with nature."

"Growing up in the Mon Valley, I've seen how our environments shape what our children believe is possible," said Lee. "For too many students, especially in under-resourced communities, schoolyards are just concrete and heat and not a place that invites curiosity, creativity, or connection. The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act is about investing in our kids' health and futures by transforming these spaces into green, vibrant environments. Every child deserves access to nature and safe, inspiring spaces, no matter their zip code."

Specifically, the Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act will:

• Establish a grant program through the U.S. Department of Education to support the transformation of schoolyards into green, community-centered spaces.
• Fund schoolyard renovations, prioritizing communities with the greatest need, including Tribal schools.
• Boost kids' physical and mental health, learning, and access to nature.
• Help schools grow healthy foods, trees, and pollinator plants.
• Support schools' conservation of water, create wildlife habitat, and increase climate resilience.
• Open schoolyards to communities after school hours, expanding access to safe places to play.

The full text of the bill is here.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, Green Schoolyards America, Trust for Public Land, and more. A full list of endorsers is here.

"The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act is a critical investment in our students' futures. By transforming pavement and asphalt schoolyards into dynamic green spaces, we're not only creating outdoor classrooms for hands-on learning, we're also giving kids back the freedom to play outside together-a fundamental part of childhood that's essential for their physical health and mental well-being. Sen. Martin Heinrich's bill is a win for our kids, our educators and school staff, and our neighborhoods, fostering environments that promote creativity, social-emotional development and a love for the outdoors," Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.

"The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act will help transform school grounds from mostly barren asphalt into nature-rich, shade-filled environments that will provide daily benefits to the students who spend so much of their time in these spaces," said Sharon Gamson Danks, CEO and Founder, Green Schoolyards America. "We applaud Senator Henrich's recognition of the critical role America's 2 million acres of public school grounds play in the health and well-being of children, their communities, and the environment."

"Senator Heinrich has been a leading champion for reimagining schoolyards as places that support learning, health, and safe and reliable access to the outdoors. At places like Santa Fe Indian School in New Mexico, we've seen how transforming schoolyards into green, culturally centered spaces can strengthen student well-being and community engagement and cohesion. The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act builds on that leadership and will help scale this impact nationwide," said TPL President and CEO, Carrie Besnette Hauser.

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