Groups push California to plant more trees at schools to protect students from a warming planet. Here’s how they want to pay for it.
Advocates say California's public schools lack outdoor shade to protect students from the sun and heat. Students from International Community Elementary School and Think College Now Elementary School water flowers at the César E. Chávez Education Center's living schoolyard in Oakland on April 29th, 2024. Photo by Laure Andrillon for CalMattersToo few trees at California’s schools mean there’s little protecting students from a warming planet.
On a typical 90-degree day under full sun, grass can reach 95 degrees, while asphalt can hit 150 and rubber surfaced play areas can reach 165 degrees, according to But most of California’s schools lack tree canopy, and the trees that do exist on campuses are often around the perimeter, where students can’t access their shade during recess. It found that an average of 6.4% of the school areas students access are covered by tree shade. More than 2.5 million students attend schools with less than 5% tree canopy in student areas..
“It’s not building a little garden in the corner. It’s actual infrastructure, on par with highway building. It’s an investment, and we want children to not be overlooked in preparing for climate and protecting their health.” Students were part of the process, taking the temperature of the asphalt and rubber playground and recommending alternatives.
Traditionally school bonds are for new school construction or renovation. School districts can apply for the state bond funds for projects and must provide local matching funds. There is money set aside for financially strapped districts that can’t provide as much of a local match.
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