Sensory gardens foster a sense of community throughout the planning, funding and building phases. The sensory garden can be a shared space for all to enjoy and is a space to interact with others and with nature.
School sensory gardens offer opportunity for collaboration and sharing among schools and promote place-based learning and community interaction. New Hampshire's Department of Education claims that linking community activities to the classroom
Improves school-related behaviors
Positively impacts academic achievement
Reduces school suspension rates
Brendan O'Keefe writes in 5 Steps to Better School/Community Collaboration that the "answer to real education/school transformation is strong, authentic community connections and actions". When families, community groups, business and schools join to support learning, "young people achieve more in school, stay in school longer, and enjoy the experience more".
High school design program-have high school students help design the garden space, could be a competition for best design, students must interview their buddy school to assess the needs, must evaluate the space and create and design a potential sensory garden
High school big buddy program-have high school students buddy with elementary students, have students create games, team building activities or other sensory garden activities
Shared garden space-share sensory garden space with neighbouring schools
Invite local, community businesses to help with fundraising efforts, host a thank-you unveiling of the sensory garden
When the sensory garden is complete-create a school farmer's market to sell plants or food products from the garden or to sell garden art projects, employ local high school students to help out or enlist community volunteers, funds could be used to help upkeep the garden
Donate extra food items to community charities
The Sharing Soup Project-harvest vegetables from the garden to make soup for the community seniors center
Enlist parents and community volunteers to help care for the garden over the holidays and summer months
Local Victoria BC Resources:
Other local community garden projects (Can offer community support and partnership opportunities.)- http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-rec-culture/parks/community-gardens.html
The Teaching Garden-Compost Education Centre- https://www.compost.bc.ca/education/school-programs/
Community Composting- http://www.communitycomposting.ca/
Master Gardner's Association of BC- Offers training and educational support- http://mgabc.org/content/12-education-community
1. Putting the Garden to Bed (October) 2. Native Pollinators (January/February) 3. Indoor Spring Planting (April) 4. Outdoor Spring Planting (May) 5. Harvest Celebration (June)
Observe how this sensory garden fosters community and inclusion