Transform your school garden into a thriving outdoor classroom that connects urban students with nature whilst teaching sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Openlands, founded in 1963, is one of America's oldest metropolitan conservation organisations, having secured over 55,000 acres for parks and urban gardens. Research shows children experiencing nature through fifth grade are more likely to adopt sustainable lifestyles as adults—making school gardens crucial for educating tomorrow's environmental stewards.
The programme includes comprehensive resources: a Building School Gardens manual, monthly stewardship calendar, garden needs worksheets, and team building guidance.
Gardens can be edible, ornamental, native plant focused, or combined approaches. Student involvement includes researching plants, creating identification books, making seed tape, and designing art installations like stepping stones and plant signs. Success requires staff support beyond one teacher, administrative backing, and community involvement for summer maintenance and ongoing sustainability.
Time:
2-6 hours per week. This will be more time intensive around the installation day and depends on how many others are involved in the maintenance of the garden.
School gardens are vital to help connect children with the outdoors. Here you'll find the information you need to get started!
