Taking action always requires risk - there is the risk of failure, the risk of ridicule, the risk of things not turning out the way you expect. But without action, there is no progress. Beautiful ideas and plans mean little until action makes them real.
At this juncture, I think it will be helpful for our group to address two key questions:
What do we want to accomplish? When?
My Suggestions:
1- Start SMALL; Start SMART.
2- Build it from the ground up.
3- Get students and teachers involved NOW.
4- Pick manageable and utilitarian projects to implement this Spring.
5- Remember that the outdoors are wild; let go of the idea of perfection
& enjoy the journey (i.e. get your hands dirty!).
1- Start SMALL; Start SMART.
2- Build it from the ground up.
3- Get students and teachers involved NOW.
4- Pick manageable and utilitarian projects to implement this Spring.
5- Remember that the outdoors are wild; let go of the idea of perfection
& enjoy the journey (i.e. get your hands dirty!).
Specific >>ACTIONABLE>> Project Recommendations:
1- Pick a location and build a small raised bed area or keyhole garden;
2- Build a simple (non-permanent) hoop house or put the 'bones' for a low tunnel with the raised bed;
3- Find teachers ready to give it a try with spring science units (life cycles; plants; natural resources; etc.);
4- Purchase a tumbler composter to get started;
5- Plan a 'Saturday in the Garden' workshop with local experts for students, families, and teachers;
6- Plant some easy-to-grow spring crops in the raised beds to follow the cycle from seed or seedling through harvest;
7- Make a 'giving tree' on campus and online to include SPECIFIC items or services for people to donate;
8- Register the campus for the Junior Master Gardener program and allow interested students to work towards earning their first certificates this Spring;
9- Start a curated blog where students/teachers/active parents can post pictures and updates on the projects' progress;
10-Hold a Spring Harvest Celebration (be creative! Sell compost tea, plantable greeting cards made by students, etc.);
11-Make a potted plant sensory garden in miniature to explore colors, textures, smells, and sounds;
12-Plant a tree to commemorate the school year;
13-Make homemade educational signage/labels for students to begin to be aware of what surrounds them outdoors;
14- Get students involved in making gourd birdhouses and a fallen log shelter to support wildlife at the school;
15-Turn in the application for the Schoolyard Habitats program (just take the first step!);
16-Pick an existing small sunny patch, clean it up, and create a butterfly garden;
17-Hold an 'Art in the Garden' day with nature-themed projects;
18-Allow older students (4th & 5th graders) to study some of the primary species of trees and shrubs on campus and let them offer a 'tree identification walk' to younger students;
19-Let it be fun, not stressful! Learn from mistakes and allow students to investigate and hypothesize about why things happened (i.e. the tomatoes didn't grow!!);
20-Make it organic! The produce and the process. A natural trail to the next logical project will appear when there is a need for it based on what's going on now and what can make it better next time.
1- Pick a location and build a small raised bed area or keyhole garden;
2- Build a simple (non-permanent) hoop house or put the 'bones' for a low tunnel with the raised bed;
3- Find teachers ready to give it a try with spring science units (life cycles; plants; natural resources; etc.);
4- Purchase a tumbler composter to get started;
5- Plan a 'Saturday in the Garden' workshop with local experts for students, families, and teachers;
6- Plant some easy-to-grow spring crops in the raised beds to follow the cycle from seed or seedling through harvest;
7- Make a 'giving tree' on campus and online to include SPECIFIC items or services for people to donate;
8- Register the campus for the Junior Master Gardener program and allow interested students to work towards earning their first certificates this Spring;
9- Start a curated blog where students/teachers/active parents can post pictures and updates on the projects' progress;
10-Hold a Spring Harvest Celebration (be creative! Sell compost tea, plantable greeting cards made by students, etc.);
11-Make a potted plant sensory garden in miniature to explore colors, textures, smells, and sounds;
12-Plant a tree to commemorate the school year;
13-Make homemade educational signage/labels for students to begin to be aware of what surrounds them outdoors;
14- Get students involved in making gourd birdhouses and a fallen log shelter to support wildlife at the school;
15-Turn in the application for the Schoolyard Habitats program (just take the first step!);
16-Pick an existing small sunny patch, clean it up, and create a butterfly garden;
17-Hold an 'Art in the Garden' day with nature-themed projects;
18-Allow older students (4th & 5th graders) to study some of the primary species of trees and shrubs on campus and let them offer a 'tree identification walk' to younger students;
19-Let it be fun, not stressful! Learn from mistakes and allow students to investigate and hypothesize about why things happened (i.e. the tomatoes didn't grow!!);
20-Make it organic! The produce and the process. A natural trail to the next logical project will appear when there is a need for it based on what's going on now and what can make it better next time.
* Keep the big projects like money in your pocket; they'll be there when you need them!