Imagine a schoolyard where students meander through a landscape that is filled with pathways, shade, food, flowers, benches, games, and art. A landscape where the child is intimately connected and familiar with plants they have planted, flowers for cutting, herbs, food, and places to study and play. This vision is the one many in our community, here in Hawai`i, and elsewhere in the world are creating.
Now, picture a school where a child walks through a scrubby, weed, dirt and lawn patch on their way to and from classes, lunch and other activities. Surprisingly, even in Hawai`i , where we live in a lush subtropical climate, this scene is all too common. Other interactions with the outdoor campus might include recess, games and organized sports.
Today, there is a momentum building to help schools develop gardens--with a focus on offering healthy, nutritious local food in the lunchroom. Creating change at our schools will create powerful changes, not only for the children, also for the parents, teachers, and surrounding community.
Several years ago I conducted a study of Hawai’i Schools to learn from teachers about their success and challenges in creating a school garden. Examples from this research were compiled into the book entitled, Growing an Educational Garden at Your School: A Study of the Hawai`i Experience.
Growing an Educational Garden at Your School: A Study of the Hawai`i Experience,
showcases case studies from eighteen gardens. Full publication is available from:
http://www.naturetalks.net/grow_book.html
NatureTalks also offers presentations; workshops and planning sessions to help schools get growing!
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