#LexingtonNC - Lexington community youth garden will kick off 2nd season of growing

By Jill Doss-Raines, Mar 20, 2025

"A Lexington church and a nonprofit group will come together to kick off the second year of a community youth garden project.

"To do this, the project needs youths who want to learn about gardening.

"At 10 a.m. April 5, 2025 Anything For Our Youth Group and First Reformed United Church of Christ will kick off the growing season. This collaborative effort aims to educate and engage young people about sustainable gardening while fostering a sense of community, responsibility and #EnvironmentalStewardship.

"The garden project will provide youth with hands-on experience planting, cultivating and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to learning essential agricultural skills, participants will explore nutrition, food security and #environmental #conservation. The initiative also promotes teamwork, leadership and a connection to nature, values that help build a stronger, healthier community.

"'We are excited to bring this opportunity to the youth of Lexington,' said Tina Royal, director of Anything For Our Youth Group. 'This garden is more than just a place to grow food, it’s a space for learning, collaboration and community building. By working alongside dedicated mentors and volunteers, our youth will gain skills that benefit them for a lifetime.'

"First Reformed United Church of Christ, known for its commitment to outreach and service, has provided space and support for the project.

"'This partnership reflects our mission to serve the community and uplift the next generation,' said Edgar Miller, who is the church community garden organizer and the executive director of the #YadkinRiverkeeper Inc. 'We look forward to seeing the positive impact this garden will have on both the youth and the broader community.'

"Youth participants, volunteers and community members interested in supporting the initiative can participate. Registration is open to youth and families at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DAkw2z_5rfhbD0KchylZL4nPCf0ZntUBUupBvX1yTaE/edit?usp=drivesdk.

"For more information on how to get involved, please contact afoygroup@gmail.com or visit www.anyforouryouthgroup.org.

"Anything For Our Youth Group is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington dedicated to empowering and supporting local youth through education, mentorship and community engagement.

"The organization’s mission is to provide young people with the resources, opportunities and life skills necessary to succeed and thrive."

Original article:
https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/education/lexington-community-youth-garden-will-kick-off-2nd-season-of-growing/article_c3327bdf-8788-55a4-9c8b-4d9f011ad9e2.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/XK9H4
#BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #NatureBasedLearning #Gardening

More of this, please...!

‘#Rewilding’ the schoolyard — District, land trust make space for outdoor learning

by ERIC WELCH, January 31, 2025 1:00 AM

KOOTENAI — "Six months ago, a small piece of school-owned property beside Kootenai Elementary [in #Idaho] was contributing little to the students next door.

"A combination of #woods and #wetlands, the area was appealing to educators aiming to expand the school’s outdoor education opportunities, but teachers were discouraged from using it because of persistent marshiness that made it impossible to visit without tracking mud throughout the school’s halls and classrooms.

"In July, nonprofit #KaniksuLandTrust set out to change that. Since then, the organization has replaced the area’s primitive dirt trails with gravel paths, installed several culverts and a small footbridge to help students traverse the area, and created six unique outdoor classrooms designed to facilitate a variety of lesson types.

"'Just like our teachers need classrooms, outdoor educators need a classroom, too, and playgrounds are quite uninspiring spaces for outdoor education,' said Katie Cox, KLT executive director. 'The idea is really, ‘How much nature can we bring to the schools?'

"The 10-acre parcel is home to a surprisingly diverse collection of plants and features, and includes an aspen grove, a white pine forest and an area that was once home to a small orchard that still contains productive apple trees.

"A natural hill facilitates sledding and a 'boulder hop' circuit is designed to act as a homemade alternative to traditional playground structures.

"'It’s a fun space for the kids to get their wigglies out,' Cox said.

"Anita Palmer, Kootenai’s art and outdoor education specialist, is a primary user of the area. Palmer teaches lessons outside when possible and aims to help students become responsible users of the land by teaching them the '#LeaveNoTrace' principles.

"'They’re just happier outside. More engaged,' Palmer said. 'They definitely have more energy.'

"Because Palmer splits time between outdoor education and art, she also makes use of the area and its resources when helping students practice creative expression.

"This year, students in Palmer’s class have created pinecone bird feeders, traced leaves by placing them under a page and rubbing it with a crayon, and made mandala patterns in the woods using natural materials like stones and pine needles.

"In addition to outdoor education, Cox hopes instructors of core courses can also utilize the space to enhance their curriculum.

"'If teachers want to pull the kids out in order to use nature to teach math or use nature for reading time, there's space for them to do that,' Cox said. 'It can be as simple as sectioning off a space and saying, ‘How many willow trees are planted in this space? Count them and measure the longest branch with a tape measure and collect the data.'

"Elizabeth Sims, a beacon teacher at Kootenai who instructs students who struggle with behavior how to cooperate with peers and adults, uses the space to allow students to stretch their legs in a comforting environment.

"'The gym can be very overstimulating,' Sims said. 'It’s very calming being out in nature,' she added. 'Even the kids that are more high-behavior just seem more grounded out there.'

"With the #Kootenai property transformed, Cox and KLT are now turning their attention toward a pair of spaces they hope to similarly improve on the grounds of Farmin Stidwell and Washington elementary schools."

Read more:
https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2025/jan/31/rewilding-the-schoolyard/
#SolarPunkSunday #NatureBasedEducation #NatureBasedLearning #MoreGreenTime #LessScreenTime

Some good tips here! The author even mentions some mistakes he's made...

Excerpt from: #Foraging: Ultimate Guide to Wild Food

by Eric Orr

Proper Identification of #WildEdibles

"Before eating any wild plant, make 100% sure it's not poisonous.

"Find a mentor. Learning from an expert or someone more experienced will give you a higher level of confidence.

"Get a Good Book. There’s no substitute for a mentor, but a good field guide is a close second. A reference book will give you confidence as you get more comfortable with foraging.

"Learn the few dangerous species in your area before venturing into the wild to forage. If you know what poisonous plants you may encounter, you'll feel more comfortable foraging for the edible species.

"Don't always rely on common names. Common names can refer to several different plants. Some wild edible plants share the same common names as poisonous plants. Latin names are more reliable. For example, if someone offers you hemlock tea, before drinking, you might ask whether it's infused with Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock) or with the tender tips of Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock tree). Latin was chosen to classify plants and animals because it's a dead language, so we can't expect it to evolve or change, whereas common names vary and fluctuate.

"Use all of your senses. Don't limit yourself to visual ID alone. Lots of wild edible plants have look-alikes. Learn how to differentiate similar plants by smell, feel, texture, etc. It's not a rule, but in many cases, poisonous plants are unpalatable and rank smelling. That said, taste should only be used if you're absolutely sure the plant is not poisonous. Some plants, such as water hemlock, are deadly in very small doses.

"Learn habitat. You won't find cattails on a high slope, and you won't find ramps in a swamp.

"Learn companion plants. Many plants are commonly found growing nearby certain other species. If you see yellow dock, there's a good chance pokeweed will be close by.

"Learn to follow wild edible plants through all seasons. This is important for two reasons. First is positive identification. When I was learning to forage, I misidentified the poisonous white snakeroot as wood nettle. I put the leaves in soup for a few months. Fortunately I only added it in small quantities and no one got sick. When it bloomed in July, it became clear to me that I had made a mistake. There are admittedly other subtleties of differentiation that I should have noticed, but the flowers were a dead giveaway.

"Another reason to follow wild edible plants through the seasons is to locate perennial plants that you want to harvest in early spring. For example, by the time pokeweed becomes identifiable, it's often past the point of use. If you make note of it during the warmer months, you'll know where to find it when it first appears in spring.

"Learn which parts of a wild edible plant are safe to use. Just because a wild plant is considered edible doesn't mean all parts are edible. For instance, while ripe cooked elderberries are safe to eat, the bark, stems and roots are considered poisonous. It's also important to note that some plants are only edible at certain times of the year. For example, stinging nettle shouldn't be used after it goes to seed.

"Keep a foraging journal. This is really important for developing a sense of what is available in your area when. Through months and years of recording your foraging finds, you'll gradually compile a calendar that tells you what's on the horizon for harvesting. This will also help you plan a menu schedule ahead of time."

Read more:
https://www.wildedible.com/foraging
#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheForests #MoreGreenTime #LessScreenTime #NatureBasedLearning

Thinking Green: Why Schools Should Have #NaturalSpaces

December 13, 2023.

"As urbanization and technology increasingly dominate our landscapes and lifestyles, many educational facilities are becoming more and more sterile. However, the presence of green or natural spaces in schools has become more important than ever. Not only do these spaces offer aesthetic value, but they also contribute significantly to the physical, psychological, and educational well-being of students. This article explores the benefits of integrating green spaces in school environments and provides practical strategies, such as sourcing wholesale plants, for schools to achieve this goal.

The Benefits of Green Spaces

"Learning and Cognitive Development: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to improve memory, attention, and concentration in students. This leads to better academic performance and a more effective learning environment. Additionally, green spaces provide sensory experiences and opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and exploration, fostering curiosity and creativity among students.

"Mental Health and Well-being: Green spaces provide a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety in students. The tranquil environment of natural settings can offer a peaceful retreat from the often hectic school routine, contributing to better mental health and emotional well-being. In fact, studies have shown that children who have regular access to green spaces exhibit fewer behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity.

"Physical and Social Development: Access to green spaces encourages physical activities like playing, walking, and other forms of exercise. This not only helps in tackling issues like obesity but also promotes overall health and fitness among students. Natural environments also foster more organic social interactions that lead to improved social skills, better peer relationships, and greater opportunities for collaborative learning and play.

"Environment Quality: Plants and trees in green spaces function as natural air filters, improving air quality around the school. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas, where air pollution is a significant concern. At the same time, plants can perform the job of being natural sound buffers, reducing noise pollution and creating a more peaceful and conducive learning environment for students.

"Connection with Nature: Regular exposure to green spaces helps students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the #NaturalWorld. Students can learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems firsthand, applying their classroom knowledge to real-life experiences. This connection is crucial for fostering #EnvironmentalStewardship and a sense of responsibility towards nature conservation.

Strategies for Creating Green Spaces

"Creating #SchoolGardens: School gardens can be used for teaching subjects like biology, environmental science, and nutrition. Gardens offer hands-on learning opportunities and can help students understand plant life cycles and food production. At the same time, planting trees around school premises can create shaded areas, reduce heat, and improve air quality. Sourcing native plants from wholesale nurseries can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to establish school gardens and contribute to overall greening efforts.

"Developing #GreenPlaygrounds: Unlike traditional playgrounds that predominantly feature manufactured equipment, green playgrounds integrate natural elements such as trees, grassy areas, bushes, and sand. These spaces are designed to stimulate imaginative and unstructured play, which is crucial for children’s cognitive, physical, and emotional development. By incorporating elements like logs for balancing, natural climbing structures, and areas for digging, children engage in more creative and physically active play.

"Establishing #WildlifeHabitats: By creating spaces like #ButterflyGardens, bird feeders, small ponds, or native plant areas, schools can attract and support various local wildlife species. These habitats provide students with unique, up-close opportunities to observe and learn about different ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Such initiatives not only enhance #biodiversity but also serve as living laboratories for hands-on learning in subjects like biology, ecology, and environmental science.

"Incorporating Living Walls and Green Roofs: For schools with limited space, living walls (vertical gardens) and green roofs are innovative ways to integrate greenery. Living walls are installations where plants are grown on vertical surfaces, transforming plain walls into lush, living tapestries. Similarly, green roofs involve cultivating vegetation on rooftops. Both these features beautify the school environment and offer tangible environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced urban heat island effect.

"Integrating #Sustainability Action: Integrating sustainability action into the curriculum and #GreenSpace initiatives can help students understand the importance of environmental stewardship. For instance, schools can implement a composting system in the school garden or use upcycled materials in garden projects to promote waste reduction and resource conservation. This form of education encourages critical thinking about how our activities impact the environment."

Read more:
https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/thinking-green-why-schools-should-have-natural-spaces/
#Curiosity #Creativity #RiskTaking #Resilience #NatureDeficitDisorder #LessScreenTime #MoreGreenTime #SolarPunkSunday #NatureBasedLearning #SchoolGardens #BiophilicDesign