Joaquin Miller Elementary School

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, enabling TreePeople to partner with Burbank School District (BUSD) in the development of shovel-ready greening plans for six schools. This initiative aims to expand and improve green infrastructure on school campuses, addressing environmental burdens and creating healthier outdoor spaces for all students. TreePeople is partnering with landscape architecture firm SWA, who is designing the campus landscape; Burbank Eco Council, who is facilitating community engagement; and Theodore Payne Foundation, who is developing a California native planting palette.

TreePeople’s holistic approach to greening prioritizes the voices most affected by this work: the school community. In collaboration with Burbank Eco-Council, TreePeople facilitated bilingual listening sessions and workshops for parents, students, and faculty to better understand the school community’s vision.

At Joaquin Miller Elementary design plans aim to enhance the campus landscape by adding shade to existing, frequently used areas such as play fields, courtyards, and school assembly spaces. The greening plan incorporates the installation of learning gardens, shaded social areas, and calming outdoor spaces to enhance educational opportunities and provide relief from heat on the campus. These proposed changes aim to improve water quality, increase usable recreational spaces for physical and mental well-being, and improve campus ecology.