Ground Rules for Thriving School Landscapes
The Principles of Ecological Land Care
Part 2 of a 3-part series with Edwina von Gal, founder of Perfect Earth Project.
In Part 1 of this series, we asked a simple but powerful question: Why are we managing school grounds in ways that harm health, biodiversity, and beauty? Now, it’s time to explore what we can do instead.
Edwina von Gal and her team at Perfect Earth Project have developed a clear framework for ecological landcare: the Ground Rules - the guiding principles schools can use to transform their landscapes into healthier, more resilient, and more joyful places for people and nature alike.
Why Ecological Landcare in Schools Matters:
We are living through a biodiversity crisis.
Global wildlife populations have declined by 73% in just 50 years.
This rapid loss of biodiversity threatens the very systems that sustain life—pollination, food production, clean air and water, disease regulation, and climate stability. When ecosystems unravel, it sets off a chain reaction that ultimately affects every species on Earth, including us.
Schools have both an opportunity and a responsibility to model how we can care for the living world—through our curriculum, our campus practices, and the values we instill in students.
🌿 The Ground Rules for Ecological Landcare
“Our basic principles are: minimize harm, maximize health, and enjoy the beauty and joy that come with a new relationship with nature.”
1. Be Toxic Free
Refuse Pesticides and Fertilizers
“Pesticides and fertilizers are unnecessary in recreational landscapes. They don’t add to the success of a place—and often reduce it.”
These chemicals harm beneficial insects, pollute water, degrade soil, and can pose health risks to children and staff. Ecological land care starts by phasing them out—especially on lawns and playgrounds where kids spend time.
(Image Courtesy of Perfect Earth Project)
“What about spiders or other insects—are we putting kids at risk by not using pesticides?”
It’s a natural instinct to protect children from pests like spiders. But it’s important to know that using toxic pesticides creates more problems than it solves—especially in places where kids play and learn. Most spiders and insects are harmless and actually beneficial—they help control insect populations naturally, reducing the need for chemical intervention. Broad-spectrum pesticides don’t just target ‘pests’—they also kill beneficial insects and disrupt ecosystems, often leading to a rebound of harder-to-control pest species over time.
Ecological landcare focuses on prevention, not reaction. We can create healthy outdoor spaces by:
Designing habitats that discourage unwanted pests (e.g. keeping wood piles away from play areas, managing moisture).
Supporting beneficial insects and natural predators that keep pest populations in check.
Using physical barriers or spot-removal only when necessary, and always in non-toxic, child-safe ways.
By going toxic-free, we’re protecting both children’s health and the long-term balance of the ecosystem. It’s a proactive, not passive, approach—and the science backs it up.
2. Close the Loop
“All the biomass a place produces should stay within that place.”
Instead of blowing leaves into piles and hauling them off, use them to feed your landscape. Grass clippings, fallen leaves, and plant trimmings are nutrients, not waste. Returning organic matter to the soil builds fertility, reduces costs, and keeps ecosystems functioning.
(Photo credit: Allan Pollok-Morris)
“Isn’t keeping all biomass on site messy and impractical?”
It might seem that way at first, but managing biomass on site can actually simplify maintenance over time—and improve the health and appearance of your landscape.Instead of thinking of leaves and clippings as trash to remove, think of them as free compost. Mulched leaves, grass clippings, and plant trimmings break down quickly when used properly:
Mulch-mowing is a mowing technique where grass clippings are chopped finely and left on the lawn rather than being bagged and removed. It returns clippings to the lawn where they decompose and feed the grass.
Leaf mulching under trees and shrubs mimics natural forest systems—retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, and reducing the need for fertilizers or irrigation.
Composting on-site in dedicated zones allows excess material to break down and be reused in garden beds.
Yes, it’s a shift—but with training and a few tweaks to workflow, it becomes an efficient, regenerative system. Your facilities team will find over time that they spend less on hauling fees, fertilizers, and mulch and see healthier plants and soils with fewer pest and disease problems.
Done well, it’s not messy—it’s smart, sustainable, and cost-effective landcare.
3. Conserve and Protect Natural Resources
Reduce fossil fuels and noise; irrigate only when needed, and follow DarkSky guidelines.
Healthy soil, water, and air are the foundation of a healthy landscape.
Avoid compacting soil with heavy machinery. Don’t over-irrigate or mow wet grass. Choose plantings that reduce the need for watering, fertilizing, or trimming. These small shifts protect the life in the soil—and save your school money and effort.
(Image Courtesy of Perfect Earth Project)
4. Create Habitat
Two-thirds for the birds! For every 3 plants we purchase or plant, two should be native to give the local wildlife the food they need to thrive.
The equation is simple: food, shelter, and water.
Let’s create landscapes that look good, and support life. Native plants offer food and shelter to insects, birds, and other wildlife. Leave the leaves, build thickets, skip the mulch volcanoes, and welcome back the web of life to your campus.
(Image Courtesy of Perfect Earth Project)
5. Plant Native
Research indicates that in North America, landscapes with at least 70% native plant cover are crucial for supporting healthy bird populations. Native plants have co-evolved with local insect species, making them essential for maintaining the food webs that birds depend on. In contrast, non-native plants often fail to support the insect populations necessary for bird reproduction and survival. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and support native wildlife. They’re often lower-maintenance than non-native ornamentals and better at creating living, functional landscapes.
Start by planting native shrubs, grasses, or wildflowers in one small area.
(Image Courtesy of Perfect Earth Project)
Start by planting native shrubs, grasses, or wildflowers in one small area.
But Will It Look Messy?
Not if you’re thoughtful about design and communication. A key concept Edwina shared is “cues to care.”
“You can mow a strip around a wild patch, add a small fence, or put up a sign that says, ‘This is what I’m doing.’ Interpretation is really important. People are afraid of what they don’t know.”
Schools can reframe what “beautiful” means—not as pristine, controlled lawns, but as vibrant, thriving ecosystems. A border of native plants, a student-made sign, or a QR code linking to student projects can help the community understand and celebrate the change.
“Put up a sign that says, ‘This is what I’m doing.’
Interpretation is really important. People are afraid of what they don’t know.”
Image: Pollinator garden at Wilson Park in Rapid City installed as part of their Bee Initiative (Photo: Prairie Walkling, SDSU Extension)
Ready to Begin?
The Ground Rules from Perfect Earth Project are a great conversation starter for your facilities team, school leaders, or student sustainability group. Consider printing them out and using them to reflect on your current practices. Where is your school aligned? Where is there room to grow?
In Part 3, we’ll walk through practical strategies to start putting these principles into action.
Download your free guide to Nature-Based Gardening, from Perfect Earth.
An easy to follow, 12-step actionable guide that’s packed with resources and inspiration.
Want to go further?
Watch and share the Webinar on Imagining Ecological Landcare for Schools, with Perfect Earth’s Edwina von Gal.
The Xerces Society provides grants and technical support for a variety of pollinator conservation projects, as well as educational resources, and guidelines for creating effective pollinator habitats. (USA)
ReWild your Campus offers bootcamps, resources and support for rewilding both tertiary and K-12 campuses.
Join the Less Lawn, More Life 12-Week Challenge.
Find Tips for Creating Safe Pollinator Habitats in Schools in the START Community > Grounds Management Metric.
Sustainable Land Care is an important START Metric for Whole School Sustainability!
#40 Grounds Management: Managing school grounds in ways that protect and promote environmental health and biodiversity, for example through Integrated Pest Management and sustainable land care.
Find additional resources for this metric in the GSA Community: #40: Grounds Management.
