Outdoor Classrooms are outdoor areas landscaped with native trees, plants, and grasses, rocks, ponds, bird and butterfly houses, to create habitats for the purpose of outdoor education lessons. Students enjoy learning hands-on lessons in biology, science, history, reading, writing, math, and art in an outdoor environment. Traditional classroom subjects are fresh and new when illustrated outdoors, and students learn to take pride and ownership in their community as they often care for the classrooms throughout the school year.

Plant a Classroom Program

The Plant a Classroom program is open to all schools within the boundaries of the North Platte NRD, including Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Garden, Banner, and southern Sioux Counties.

The Plant a Classroom program will reimburse costs up to $500 per school per fiscal year related to establishing a new or improving an existing Outdoor Classroom. Outdoor Classroom funds are non-competitive in nature and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program Applications

Applications are accepted year-round. Download a copy of the application or pick one up at the District office in Scottsbluff. Submit completed applications to Amanda Shepperd at North Platte NRD, P.O. Box 280, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0280.

Download Plant a Classroom Application

Helpful Links for Establishing an Outdoor Classroom

• Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
• National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat Info
• Re-Tree Nebraska Program

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