Cool Schools was selected as a Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler in 2018. During each Conservation Wrangler program cycle, Texan by Nature provides up to 6 projects with 12-18 months of tailored support in the form of program management, strategic planning, marketing messaging, metrics capture and analysis, professional content production, and partnership development – whatever is needed to accelerate the project. The information below includes results from the time the project was active in the Conservation Wrangler program. It may not reflect the most current program/project information. Please visit http://www.texastrees.org for the latest.

Project Summary and Mission:

Dallas Texas is warming at a faster rate than any other large city in the United States* Not only is Dallas hot, but so are Dallas ISD elementary school campuses. Presently, Dallas ISD elementary schools have an average of 7% tree canopy—making for hotter play and learning areas resulting in children spending less time outside.

The Texas Trees Foundation’s award-winning program, Cool Schools, launched in 2016 with Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) featuring two pilot schools, where 176 trees were planted. This resulted in $227,290 of ecosystem services over a 40-year period, that includes: carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, energy savings, and stormwater savings. Texas Trees Foundation’s goal is to enhance the landscapes and outdoor learning opportunities of 150+ elementary school campuses in Dallas ISD, and expand the Cool Schools model to surrounding regional school districts and across the state of Texas.

Cool Schools connect students and teachers to nature by planting trees and creating fun and engaging outdoor experiential learning areas. These spaces cultivate children’s knowledge and awareness of the natural environment.

Once schools are selected and fully funded, Texas Trees Foundation implements the Cool Schools Framework:

• Establish a Green Team of teachers and staff – This group will lead environmental projects at their school
• Create landscape plan tailored to each school – Students and teachers contribute their ideas during the design process
• Provide educational resources to teachers and students – Texas Trees Foundation leads a curriculum workshop for teachers and presents a tree class to students
• Organize Planting Day with students, faculty, volunteers, and partners – From “mulch-kins” to 5th graders, everyone participates to plant and mulch the new trees at their school.
• Monitor and water new trees until established – Texas Trees cares for the new trees until they can care for themselves.
• Measure short and long-term educational and environmental impacts: Texas Trees checks on participation in the curriculum and record tree growth.
• Promote Celebration Day – Everyone celebrates their hard work and achievement with an event at the school featuring student activities, art, and music.

Project Impact:

Research shows outdoor time can result in academic and health benefits for children. According to the University of Champaign Urbana of Illinois, kids who spend more time outside end up paying more attention inside. Trees and nature lower aggression and symptoms of ADHD, and are better able to concentrate, complete tasks and follow directions. Cool Schools promotes hands-on outdoor environmental activities with a STEM-based/TEKS-aligned curriculum, so no child is left inside! 1000+ students, staff, and local community members are positively impacted by the implementation of each Cool School.

Benefits for Students and Teachers:

• Resources: STEM-based/TEKS-aligned curriculum, educational resources, and hands-on learning activities provided to engage students in Cool Schools outdoor learning areas.
• Behavior: Research shows that kids who spend more time outside pay more attention inside. Trees and nature lower aggression and symptoms of ADHD, and children are better able to concentrate, complete tasks, and follow directions.

Findings from a 2019 research review indicate student experiences with nature lead to:

• Academics: increased retention of subject matter, higher standardized scores, better grades, better math, reading and writing skills, and higher graduation rates.
• Development: better leadership skills, better communication skills, more resilience, better critical thinking and problem solving, and better spatial skills.

“Student engagement is improving and student discipline issues are decreasing as a result of the children interacting with nature, which satisfies their curiosity and allows them to solve problems in a real-world setting.”

– Lisa Lovato, Principal, Dan D. Rogers Elementary School

Benefits for School and Community:

Cool Schools increase tree canopy cover from 7% or less to 20% or more, aiding in environmental conservation and financial savings through shading of the school. Research supports the following benefits:

• Cooling: Up to 15°F of cooling on hot summer days. A young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
• Energy Savings: Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and can save 20–50% in energy used for heating.
• Return: The return on investing in trees provides a 3:1 return on investment. For every $1 on tree planting and maintenance, there are ~$5.82 in health, ecosystem, and environmental benefits for the school and surrounding community.

Partners involved include:

Dallas ISD, Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, TXU Energy, Alliance Data Systems, Ground Work Dallas, REI, and more!

Project Needs:

• Funding: Corporate sponsorship for 2019/20 Cool Schools in addition to commitment for future years
• Partners: Connections to relevant partners to spread awareness and develop program expansion
• Volunteers: Volunteer and team building opportunities for individuals, groups, and businesses are available at Cool School planting days and celebration days
• Support: Media partnerships

Texan by Nature’s Vision and Support:

Through the Conservation Wrangler program, Texan by Nature is working with the Texas Trees Foundation to garner support and partners to secure funding for the Cool Schools program for years to come. This program is an excellent model and has the potential to be replicated across Texas and beyond. TxN has worked with Texas Trees staff to develop updated collateral and messaging for educational and funding purposes, in addition to making connections for the Cool Schools program.

Through the Conservation Wrangler program, Cool Schools received a $125,000 grant from General Motors.

Contact Taylor Keys at taylor@texanbynature.org & 512-284-7482 or Texas Trees Foundation at info@texastress.org & 214-953-1184 if you would like to sponsor a Cool School or volunteer, can provide resources and/or connections, or would like to learn more.

 * Texas Trees Foundation’s Dallas 2017 Urban Heat Island Management Study