Washington Unified

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: 

 

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.