How We Sustain the Garden – and How You Can Help
Our Teaching Garden thrives because of our campus community’s collective effort. It’s
more than just a place to grow food—it’s a living classroom and a symbol of our commitment
to sustainability. Here’s how we care for it, and how you can contribute:
🌻 Composting and Soil Health
We use compost made from campus food scraps and plant matter to enrich the soil naturally.
This reduces landfill waste and boosts plant health without synthetic fertilizers.
You can help by:
- Participating in campus composting programs.
- Donating appropriate organic materials if you garden at home.
💧 Water Conservation
The garden is irrigated with water-wise techniques, such as drip irrigation and early
morning watering, to minimize evaporation and reduce overall use.
You can help by:
- Watering wisely if you volunteer.
- Reporting any leaks or irrigation issues you notice.
🌼 Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants
We incorporate native species and flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies,
which are essential for garden health.
You can help by:
- Avoiding the use of pesticides or chemical sprays in or around the garden.
- Helping us identify and label pollinator-friendly plants.
🧤 Volunteer Care and Maintenance
The garden is maintained through scheduled work parties and drop-in volunteer hours.
Tasks include weeding, planting, harvesting, and seasonal clean-up.
You can help by:
- Signing up for a volunteer shift.
- Bringing a friend and making it a fun group activity!
- Logging your hours if you're part of a service-learning or club program.
🌎 Educational Integration
Faculty and student groups use the garden for hands-on learning across disciplines—biology,
environmental science, nutrition, and more.
You can help by:
- Proposing a class or club project that uses the garden.
- Sharing your ideas for garden-based workshops or events.
🌿 Donations and Sponsorships
We rely on generous donations of tools, seeds, and materials from community partners
and individuals.
You can help by:
- Donating gently used garden supplies.
- Sponsoring a raised bed, plant row, or garden sign.
- Contributing financially through the Sustainability Fund or Foundation.
