The Dearborn Green Schoolyards initiative is a result of the district and City of Dearborn’s commitment to clean air, clean water, and clean energy sources for all citizens. Our focus is to connect our children to nature through nature-based learning, to educate them about their environment, and help them learn how to continue to conserve environmental resources. Our children need nature-based experiences and activities to strengthen their physical, mental and emotional health. Children will be happier and well balanced through time spent outdoors. For more information and a review of the Green Schoolyards booklet, click here.
For a review on FOX 2 News click here.
Salina Elementary has a beautiful garden where students work every day. The garden was donated by University of Michigan/Dearborn and Wayne State University and the district. The school team has a campus plan for expanding their Green Schoolyard. Green Schoolyards are outdoor environments that strengthen local ecological systems, provide learning opportunities, and foster a wide range of play and social opportunities while enhancing health and well-being. These schoolyards include trees, gardens, rain gardens, landscaping and play spaces, and resources designed for the students and the community. See these links for examples of nature playscapes and outdoor classrooms. Green Schoolyards also provide space for community members to use during non school hours.
The Green Schoolyards priority goals are Nature Playscapes for children to explore and play, climb, crawl, spin, swing, slide, and develop balance, flexibility and agility-all foundations for learning. Outdoor Classrooms are also a goal and these shelters will allow children to learn outside.
Many community organizations contribute to Green Schoolyards. Click here for a video on the benefit that the InterCultural Community Center in Dearborn (ICCD) hosted to support benches for Green Schoolyards. ACCESS is a partner in Green Schoolyards along with the City of Dearborn.
Friends of Green Schoolyards Volunteer Organization
The Salina Schools have volunteer programs for many different activities. The Green Schoolyards team seek business, school, family and resident partners to support the nature-focused learning initiative. Activities could be working in the garden, garden clean up, reading with the students, being with children during outdoor time and many other activities. Friends of GSY also seek volunteers to support with planting trees, shrubs, grasses and playscape installations. Contact the GSY Volunteer Coordinator through the Salina Elementary School office 313-827-6550 or email Principal Susan Stanley at stanles@dearbornschools.org. for volunteer opportunities.
Planting trees and other landscaping is an essential element of Green Schoolyards. The campus requires hundreds of trees, shrubs and other native plantings to block particulates, filter air, filter water and mitigate stormwater. Friends of the Rouge planted 200 trees/shrubs in 2023. In the month of October, ReLeaf, DTE Foundation and Keep it Moving! groups planted a total of 40 large trees. Edw. C. Levy Co staff dug the holes for the trees, and have committed to watering them weekly. The partnership of these organizations is essential to the development of Green Schoolyards. Click here for a video on recent tree planting
The Dearborn Education Foundation is helping our schools collect funds for this project. Please consider making a donation on the link below. See the table below for acknowledgement of the generous friends and partners who are helping to make the dream of outdoor education and play for Salina children a reality. Their generosity and vision are valued. In-kind donations are welcomed. Individuals and groups can contribute financially at the green link below, or contribute directly to Dearborn Public Schools.
Giving Circles
| Golden Tree Circle $100,000+ | City of Dearborn Friends of the Rouge University of Michigan/Dearborn/Wayne State University: DSHINES Gardens State of Michigan School Aid Fund Cleveland Cliffs Foundation PNC Foundation |
| Silver Birch Circle $50,000-$99,999 | Dearborn Sausage CMS Energy Foundation |
| Bronze Tree Circle $25,000-$49,999 | Dearborn Community Fund: POP Mural |
| Sequoia Circle $10,000-$24,999 | ACCESS: Musical Garden Home Depot: Garden supplies |
| Evergreen Circle $5000-$9,999 | Edw. C. Levy Co |
| Partner Circle $10-$4,999 | Southender (alumni) InterCultural Community Center of Dearborn The Exchange Club of Dearborn ReLeaf (30 trees) City of Dearborn/DTE Foundation (10 trees) |
| Friend Circle In kind donation | Friends of the Rouge- 200 Trees, Rain Garden Home Depot-Garden Supplies Players Guild: Bench/Elementary Boy Scouts: Bench/Intermediate University of Michigan/Dearborn Wayne State University: DSHINES Gardens ACCESS: Musical Garden Dearborn Community Fund: POP Mural Edw. C. Levy Co.: future concrete removal, landscape maintenance, tree planting tree hole digging, and Watering |
The Salina Story
ICCD Fundraiser
Kickoff Slide Show
Concept Map of Green Schoolyards
Resources for Connecting Children and Nature
Outdoor Classrooms (examples)