Washington Unified School District - Cool Schools Yolo County

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Cool Schools Yolo County

On April 27, 2023, during the Regular Board of Education Meeting, the WUSD Board of Trustees approved a professional services agreement with the Texas Trees Foundation in anticipation of receiving the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Green Schoolyards Grant. The Texas Trees Foundation has been awarded the Green Schoolyards Grant to support four WUSD school sites: Westmore Oaks Elementary, Riverbank Elementary, Yolo High School, and River City High School.

In September 2022, the State of California announced it would invest $150 million in helping green schools nationwide. Of the $50 million, $117 million will be distributed through the "Green Schoolyards Grants." The California Schoolyard Forest System will administer this competitive grant in partnership with organizations such as CAL FIRE and the California Department of Education.

The Green Schoolyards Grants aim to increase tree canopies on public school grounds to protect students from extreme heat and rising temperatures. Grants may be used for, but are not limited to, asphalt removal, tree planting, installing natural features for learning and recess, outdoor classrooms, and maintenance of planted vegetation. Texas Trees Foundation has successfully implemented school-based programs similar to the Green Schoolyards Grant in Dallas, Texas, and is ready to expand to California, beginning with Yolo County.

Project Updates

June 10, 026

Cool Schools Construction Update: Exciting Changes Coming This Summer

As the summer season kicks off, much is happening behind the scenes as construction on our Cool Schools Program projects continues, and we’re excited to share that campus transformations are now at the midway point. Grounds at participating campuses (Westmore Oaks K-8, Riverbank K-8, Yolo High School, and River City High School) have been cleared and prepped for upcoming installations and greening, with some already underway.

You will begin to see many exciting and visible changes. Throughout June, crews will pour and finish new concrete pathways and curbs, followed by the installation of hardscaping and playground elements that will support outdoor learning and play. In July, we will complete the greening, landscaping, and irrigation work, laying the foundation for thriving green schoolyards that will flourish for decades to come.

The Cool Schools Program connects students and teachers to nature through expansive tree planting and the creation of fun, experiential outdoor learning and play areas. The program is designed to highlight the importance of environmental stewardship and help teachers instill a lifelong love of exploration and appreciation for nature in their students.

We are grateful to our partners for their support of this work and to our WUSD community for your patience as construction continues. We look forward to welcoming you back in August to greener, more engaging schoolyards for all.

March 23,206

On March 23, 2026, Washington Unified School District (WUSD) will launch the construction phase of the Texas Tree Foundation’s award-winning Cool Schools Program™, which aims to build a more equitable educational experience for students by connecting them and teachers to nature through expansive tree planting and creating fun, hands-on outdoor learning and play areas so that students can learn outside, even during the hot season.

“We are grateful and proud of this unique opportunity and the partnerships established, as we work together to provide an inspiring learning environment for our students,” shared Dr. Cheryl P. Hildreth, Superintendent of Washington Unified School District. “Giving our students the ability to learn outdoors is invaluable.”

Founded on research confirming that access to nature can replenish students’ attention resources more effectively and increase their ability to concentrate, these initiatives mark a critical investment in education, providing:

Outdoor learning areas
Heat-safe natural playgrounds and active play areas
Gathering spaces and amphitheaters
Signage and placemaking
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paths

Currently, California's school grounds only have 9% average tree canopy coverage in student zones. Through this new project called “Cool Schools Yolo County,” tree canopies for four schools in Washington Unified School District will increase to 30% tree canopy coverage, which is anticipated to cool campuses up to 15 degrees on hot summer days and save significant costs in air conditioning services.

Participating WUSD schools include Westmore Oaks K-8, Riverbank K-8, Yolo High School, and River City High School.

The initiative will also supply students with age-appropriate, STEM-focused educational materials they can use in the new outdoor spaces, including coloring books, scavenger hunts, living lab greenery, and interactive curricula related to trees. Completion of the projects is expected before the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The Cool Schools Program™ provides nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges such as local air quality, watershed management, and the urban heat island effect, which occurs when a lack of tree coverage and excess of heat-absorbing materials like asphalt cause schoolyards to be some of the hottest places in communities.

Cool Schools Yolo County is funded by a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Urban Community Forestry Program. The transformations of each schoolyard will be per CAL FIRE’s grant requirements, which prioritize greening initiatives in underserved communities with the highest socioeconomic need, fewest trees, and hottest climates.

Texas Trees Foundation launched its Cool Schools Program™ in Dallas in 2015. To date, the program has been implemented in 32 schools with an additional 20 sites planned, serving more than 20,000 students.

Board Presentation - Aug. 14, 2025