Environmental Education

School gardens provide endless opportunity for young people to come into contact with nature every day of the year.  Whether working at a K-5 school, middle or high school, students and staff of all ages can benefit from school greening.

Like most ecosystems, the school garden thrives with profound and productive partnerships.  Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs), administrators, teachers and students, local government and non-profit organizations can all play a role in creating a new garden.  Productive partnerships have played significant roles in the successful execution of all of our garden projects.  And any successful garden project begins with community engagement, communication, and diverse participation.

Working closely with the SFUSD Landscape and Grounds Department, and various School District managers and Principals, often in collaboration with the SF Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry, CAN! begins planning for school gardens by working with all community players to determine the best location for the garden, size and scope of work that is appropriate for each given school community.  Often times the best location for educational gardens is within the schoolyard or even on the sidewalk, surrounding the property itself.

CAN! has cultivated pollinator gardens at all 15 of our community partner sites in San Francisco.

Creating pollinator gardens grown on public property isn’t always easy.   There are many challenges and hurdles, but once the pavement is gone, the soil and the seeds can do their job.  Schools must sign maintenance agreements with CAN! and the SFUSD to ensure that community managed gardens are well maintained throughout the year (even in the summer).

Dispelling fear around pollinators and decomposers is a significant part of the cultural education CAN! provides to our partners.

Email Climate Action Now! for more information about how to grow a garden at your school.