The Link Between Nature and Education

Research indicates that children attending urban schools in economically disadvantaged areas have historically faced the lowest academic performance in the United States (Bernstein, 1992). Despite numerous costly attempts to reform the education system, little progress has been made. Yet, nature-based solutions, such as planting trees or establishing school gardens, have proven effective in boosting academic performance.

Various studies indicate that greener schoolyards correlate with better academic outcomes. In Chicago, for instance, a study assessed the green cover of 318 public schools and found that increased tree cover was linked to improved performance on standardized math and reading assessments, even after accounting for socioeconomic factors.

Research also suggests that learning in green environments, such as school gardens and natural settings, fosters greater student engagement (e.g., Skinner and Chi, 2012; Alon and Tal, 2015; Lekies et al., 2015). A study published in the Journal of Environmental Education highlighted that students’ sense of autonomy, competence, and intrinsic motivation were key predictors of their involvement in school gardens, which in turn influenced their learning and academic success.

Delving deeper:

• Matsuoka (2010) found that views of trees and shrubs from cafeterias were linked to higher graduation rates and academic awards in high schools in southeastern Michigan.
• Wu et al. (2014) showed that greenery within a 250 m to 2,000 m radius of Massachusetts public schools could predict standardized test results.
• Additional studies have connected tree cover with academic performance, including Kweon et al. (2017) in Washington, D.C., and Hodson and Sander (2017) in St. Paul, MN.

Given that even simple views of greenery from classroom windows can enhance focus and alleviate stress, why aren't more schools prioritizing greening initiatives and garden-based learning?

A key 2023 paper from BMJ Global Health examined effective return-on-investment strategies in education, revealing that public policies often function in isolation, complicating cross-sector improvements. However, the education sector presents a "unique locus" for addressing pressing social, structural, and environmental issues today. The report concluded that integrating curricula with "home economics, health education, and model gardens" can significantly enhance health literacy and promote sustainable lifestyles.

What the report overlooks, however, is the profound co-benefits that green initiatives, such as school gardens and tree planting, provide not only for the environment but also for community well-being and health, fostering a deeper connection to nature throughout individuals' lives.

Understanding Natural Capital

Natural capital encompasses the value derived from nature's resources. Introduced by David Pearce (Pearce et al., 1989), the concept emphasizes nature's role in supporting economic systems and human well-being. It builds on the notion of manufactured capital as a production factor, a theory established by Adam Smith and David Ricardo in the 18th century.

Economists categorize capital into four main types:

• Manufactured or "Man-Made" Capital: These include assets like machinery, tools, buildings, and infrastructure used to produce goods and services. Financial capital encompasses money and related financial assets, sometimes considered a separate category (Aronson et al. 2007).
• Human Capital: This refers to knowledge, education, motivation, work skills, and overall health.
• Social Capital: Encompasses social trust, norms, and networks that facilitate social interactions and collective problem-solving (e.g., neighborhood groups, civic organizations).
• Natural Capital: Represents natural assets that provide essential ecosystem services, including both renewable resources like solar energy and non-renewable stocks like fossil fuels.

A prime example of natural capital is the planting of urban trees, which can yield substantial co-benefits, from increased property values to enhanced air quality.

In Pittsburgh, Tree Pittsburgh calculated that the trees lining sidewalks and medians contribute $2.4 million annually in environmental and aesthetic value. The city invests approximately $850,000 yearly in street planting, yielding about $3 in benefits for every dollar spent on trees. In New York City, street trees provide an astounding $111,417,758 in annual benefits, while the total economic value of trees across the UK approaches $5 billion. (The i-tree tool can help assess the economic advantages of trees in your locality.)

In educational settings, enhancing green spaces not only aids students in focusing and managing stress but also helps reduce air pollution, lower noise levels, and foster a connection with nature, ultimately improving mental health and social cohesion.

Despite the evident benefits of greening schools for performance and health, the valuation of educational opportunities within natural settings has received scant attention.

Earlier this year, a report by Rob Grunewald, commissioned by the Children Nature Network, highlighted how transforming paved schoolyards into nature-filled green spaces yields economic value by enhancing children's learning, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting community well-being.

For example, a case study in Denver, CO, demonstrated that increasing tree canopy and greenery in schoolyards lowered ambient air temperature by an impressive 15 degrees during warm months. The analysis estimated an annual carbon sequestration of around 1,300 tons and a reduction of 400 pounds of air pollutants across all of Denver's green schoolyards. A sample of three schools reported an average decrease of 241,000 gallons of rainwater runoff.

When accessible to the community beyond school hours, these green spaces function similarly to neighborhood parks, improving property values, local tax revenue, community cohesion, and public safety. They also encourage physical activity and positively influence mental health, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Importantly, the report emphasizes that many benefits from green schoolyards extend beyond the children enrolled in these schools to society at large.

The report concludes that while the economic impacts on children's learning and community health are "likely significant," specific statistical estimates are lacking. The author speculates that increasing high school graduation rates or enhancing community health could yield returns exceeding $3 for every dollar invested.

Natural capital is essential for sustaining life, supporting society, and driving economic growth. It is estimated that over half of global production relies on nature, and the World Economic Forum anticipates that valuing natural capital and safeguarding biodiversity could generate $10 trillion annually and millions of jobs in sectors like agriculture, fashion, and consumer goods.

Utilizing natural capital in educational settings could involve planting trees near classrooms or adopting nature-based teaching methods; both simple and cost-effective strategies have demonstrated improvements in scientific literacy, nature connection, and conservation interest, along with numerous other co-benefits. Ultimately, nurturing nature ensures that we nurture ourselves.