Envisioning A Garden

This summer, Lotus Tribe’s students and other children from the area began to plan for a community garden next to the dumpster and creek behind the apartment complex. This project, called "The Giving Garden" will educate children about soil, the life cycle of plants, and how food is grown in ecologically responsible ways.

The Giving Garden is also about fun. There’s nothing better than getting down in the dirt with hands-on learning experiences for kids to feel like stewards of their community. So far, the project has mostly been about cleanup and beautifying an under-served area where litter has been a major problem. Soon after we moved to this location, the building formerly home to Calvary Chapel of Marin, I noticed that there were many children living in the area who could benefit from a constructive program of fun, learning, and community involvement. I got approval from the on-site manager of Creekside Apartments and have been working hard to develop the garden with 16 children, ages 5 to 18, who reside in the area.

The Giving Garden is about more than just getting kids involved in making their neighborhood look good. It’s also about educating a new generation of scientists and people with knowledge and respect for the complex ecology and economics of organic food production. The Giving Garden will demonstrate how sustainable food systems can be integrated into the communities they serve.
Educating a new generation so that they are environmentally aware and socially responsible will benefit the whole world. It is a priceless investment in the local community, our shared environment, and in promoting and improving horticulture and agriculture practices nationwide – and it starts one child and community at a time. Projects like the Giving Garden are the foundation for a generation of life-skilled scientists who care about preserving nature and land through knowledge of ecology and active involvement in their communities.