Photo by Richard Hurd
MMSD Awarded Grant to Expand Urban Forestry and Outdoor Learning Opportunities
MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has been awarded a $20,000 Green & Healthy Schoolyards grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to expand tree canopy and enhance outdoor learning opportunities at Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and Mendota Elementary School.
“This funding allows us to deepen our commitment to creating healthy, engaging outdoor spaces for students,” MMSD Sustainability Manager Bryanna Krekeler said. “Expanding tree canopy not only benefits our school communities environmentally, it also provides opportunities for outdoor learning and hands-on exploration.”
Planning for each site will be coordinated with upcoming building updates to ensure new plantings grow alongside long-term improvements. The work also builds on MMSD’s recent efforts to preserve and relocate trees at referendum project sites, where partners and volunteers helped protect valued natural spaces during construction.
Growing the tree canopy supports meaningful outdoor learning by creating comfortable, shaded spaces where teachers can bring lessons outside and students can engage with the natural world. These improvements bond school communities, support student well-being and create outdoor areas that families can enjoy during community events and after-school activities.
At Mendota, the grant will strengthen work already underway to enhance learning experiences outdoors.
“Outdoor learning is a powerful tool for helping students connect with the natural world and with one another,” said Lindsey Jones, principal of Mendota Elementary School. “This grant will help us expand spaces where students can explore, learn and feel grounded in their school environment.”
MMSD’s work to improve outdoor environments is part of the district’s broader sustainability commitment. In 2022, the Board of Education adopted a resolution to reduce districtwide greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2045. This long-term effort includes investing in energy-efficient buildings, expanding green spaces, supporting outdoor learning and working toward healthier, more sustainable school communities for all students.
The grant, part of DPI’s Green & Healthy Schoolyards: Teaching In and About Urban Forests program, supports school districts in creating and enhancing urban forestry projects on school grounds. Funds will be used during the 2026–27 school year to plant additional trees and provide training for teachers and staff on incorporating outdoor education into their instruction.
It does not require matching funds and aligns with MMSD’s continued focus on sustainability, environmental literacy and high-quality outdoor spaces across school campuses.
To learn more about the district’s approach to sustainability, please visit the MMSD website.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.