Plant for Wildlife

Create new habitat in your schoolyard that provides food and shelter for wildlife and improves ecosystem connectivity and resilience.

Overview

Plant for Wildlife

Every day, we are witnessing the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change. The next decade is critical for the future of the planet, and so is the role that students can play. The path we’re on is reversible if we act now, and if we use one of the most effective tools around: nature. One nature-based climate solution that educators like you can lead with students in your very own schoolyard is planting native plants or trees for wildlife!

There are many ways to build or enhance habitats using native plants that give students the opportunity to support local wildlife. WWF’s Plant for Wildlife guide suggests a variety of planting ideas and gives tips for implementing them. Whether you want to grow a pollinator meadow, a container garden, a productive veggie patch or an Indigenous reconciliation garden, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Connecting classrooms to the local ecosystem is a way to show students how they can be a force of good for nature. From there, we can imagine and work towards a future where nature and people thrive together.

Create native plant habitat in your schoolyard for wildlife

Once you and your students have completed your Action Plan for Wildlife, follow these steps to get your native plants and trees off to a good start and keep your habitat for wildlife thriving!

  • Prepare your supplies and planting area.
  • Get your native plants, trees or seeds.
  • Plant! Actively engage in ecological restoration by planting your native plants.
  • Steward and care for your new habitat for wildlife throughout the seasons and create a year-round schedule to ensure plants and trees are cared for, even when school is not in session.
  • Connect: Extend and deepen relationships through conservation activities year-round:
    • Monitor plants as they grow;
    • Observe wildlife and pollinators;
    • Engage with your community;
    • Harvest seeds and share with others in your school community to watch the impact of your habitat grow.
  • Track your impact! Thank you for contributing to ecological restoration and creating benefits for wildlife. Let WWF know how your school is contributing to our shared climate and biodiversity goals by recording what you do in your Living Planet @ School dashboard.

Getting students outside to plant native plants and restore habitats has numerous benefits, including improving mental health and well-being. Students will also learn about local biodiversity, species at risk and climate change.

Look At How We're Doing

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