What is the GSCM?

The Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee (GSCM) is a regional network of individuals and organizations that come together to promote sustainability projects in the Milwaukee area. From transformed schoolyards to sustainable community projects, the GSCM works collaboratively to provide social, environmental, and economic outcomes and build ecoliteracy among students, families, educators, and the community.

Why Greener, Healthier Schools?

Many Milwaukee-area schoolyards are dominated by deteriorating asphalt with little to no green space—an outdated design originally intended to cut lawn maintenance costs. Today, these crumbling surfaces are expensive to repair and harm both the city’s environmental health and children’s well-being.

Growing research shows that green schoolyards support better academic performance, greater student engagement, improved social-emotional development, and reduced childhood obesity. Revitalized schoolyards also offer broader benefits, including enhanced stormwater management, urban biodiversity, stronger community ties, and enriched STEAM learning opportunities.

Network of Support

Now is the perfect time to build on the growing momentum for greener, healthier schools in the Milwaukee area. Over the past decade, passionate teachers, parents, nonprofits, government agencies, and funders have come together to lead inspiring, transformational projects through the Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee (GSCM). Through ongoing collaboration and an annual conference, hundreds of members have shared ideas, resources, and valuable lessons—creating a strong, united movement for change.

Learn MORE ABOUT THE SCHOOLYARD REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS

GSCM Activities

Schoolyard Redevelopment Projects
Each year, five schools are selected to begin a three-year schoolyard redevelopment process. Finalists present their vision to GSCM members, who review school data, equity factors, and each school’s need and enthusiasm for a greener, healthier space—ensuring a fair, informed selection process. Transformed schoolyards become beautiful, inspiring greenscapes that manage stormwater, support biodiversity, and offer outdoor learning opportunities for students and the community.

Environmental Education
Fostering meaningful connections to nature, inspiring curiosity, stewardship, and deeper understanding of the environment. Using outdoor spaces as living classrooms, learners engage in hands-on experiences supporting academic success and personal growth. Environmental education aligns with STEAM learning goals, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving through time spent in nature.

Annual Conference
Connecting the Milwaukee area’s greener, healthier schools community with inspirational stories and resources. The conference is an important convening event that typically is organized during the month of August each year.

Bioswale and outdoor classroom at a redeveloped schoolyard (Copy)

Common state of Milwaukee's schoolyards (Copy)

Cohort Selection Meeting (Copy)

School Charette to design their new schoolyard (Copy)

Outdoor classroom with urban wood benches at a redeveloped schoolyard (Copy)

Recently installed bioswale at a redeveloped schoolyard (Copy)

Outdoor Education at Green Tech Station (Copy)

Session at the 7th Annual Green & Healthy Schools Conference (Copy)

Environmental Education (Copy)

7th Annual Green and Healthy Schools Conference (Copy)

Environmental education (Copy)

Cohort Selection Meeting (Copy)

NETWORK OF SUPPORT
The time is ripe to capitalize on a growing network of support surrounding greener, healthier schools in the Milwaukee area. Over the past few years, many motivated teachers, parents, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and funders have organized transformational projects through the Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee (GSCM). Through bi-monthly meetings and an annual conference, hundreds of consortium members have collectively shared ideas, resources, and lessons learned

OBJECTIVE
To promote sustainability projects in Milwaukee-area schools that result in improved triple bottom line outcomes and greater ecoliteracy among students, families, educators, and the community.

TAKE ACTION FOR GREENER, HEALTHIER SCHOOLS!
Great things are being done, but there is still a lot to do! This is still just the beginning of a new movement in the Milwaukee area; many don’t know it exists, and it won’t continue without additional support. The following is a short list of suggested ways to help move green and healthy initiatives forward at our local schools.

Sign up to receive the GSCM newsletter
Tell a friend, family member, or colleague about green and healthy schools and the GSCM
Like the GSCM on Facebook and share posts and newsletters
Attend a bi-monthly consortium meeting
Participate in a GSCM committee (Administrative, Project, and Education)
Sponsor, plan, exhibit, speak, or volunteer at next year’s Green Schools Conference
Explore the Green and Healthy School story shared in the Milwaukee Community Map
Sign up for the EcoLiteracy Challenge
Inquire about what your child’s or your neighborhood’s school is doing to green its campus
Develop a green and healthy school initiative at your school or organization
Apply for your school to go through the schoolyard redevelopment process with Reflo and MMSD
Sign your school up for recognition through the Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin program
Adopt DPI’s “Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability”
Support and advocate for sustained funding for schoolyard redevelopment projects
Provide funding for the continued administration of the GSCM
Include Reflo’s Green and Healthy Schools Program in your annual charitable contributions
Schedule a meeting with Reflo to learn more about the GSCM and how you can stay engaged