William Mckinley Elementary

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 William McKinley Elementary, which is located near Interstate 5 and the Burbank Channel, TreePeople is developing a design plan to improve the campus landscape by creating outdoor learning and gathering spaces surrounded by shade plantings. The green initiative includes creating pocket shade tree areas around two play fields. This project aims to support the physical and mental well being of the school community.