How Does Your (DC School) Garden Grow?

You’re never too young (or old) to learn about the environment. Last week, the District celebrated the third annual School Garden Week where students of all ages (including those of us not technically in school anymore) participated in a variety of educational and fun events.

A program of the DC Environmental Education Consortium, DC School Garden Week is about celebrating and building awareness of the District’s school gardens. Approximately 80 DC schools have various types of gardening projects which provide wildlife habitat, absorb stormwater runoff, and beautify schoolyards – in addition to helping students cultivate respect for the environment.

Among the events in which educators and the public could participate were a lecture on starting a school garden and a screening of a student-made documentary about local efforts to improve school lunches.

DC School Garden Week ran through Saturday, October 10 and culminated in a DC Schoolyards Tour that highlighted five school gardens – all of which have diverse teaching purposes. Those seeking inspiration for starting their own school gardens learned firsthand how “outdoor classrooms” are easily integrated into the teaching curriculum. And those just wanting to see how some DC school gardens grow opted for a bike tour.

For more information, visit The DC School Garden Week site.

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User Red Colander