Scott Russell Sanders joins us once again for a wide ranging discussion of issues in conservation and our relationship with Nature. Topics of discussion include the observance of natural cycles, gardens in schools, our cultural appetite (or lack thereof) for the Truth, and what we can expect to see in the future. This episode is concluded by reading some listener email.
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One response to “Episode #117: Natural Reality”
Just a further comment to the hurdles that discourage gardens in schools. We had a very active parent-based teacher-led “Green Club” at our Catholic elementary school. Parent involvement is very important during the elementary and junior high years because teachers do have a lot to accomplish academically during the year. The purpose of our “Green Club” was to fund and provide projects that tied directly to the school curriculum for that grade year. As examples, a mini desktop Green house was purchased for the grade one classes to support their growth cycle of the plant curriculum. Grade 3’s participated in vermicomposting (with a year round bucket of worms) for their ecosystem curriculum, Grade 4’s were provided with a trip to the landfill (waste and recyling unit). Grade fives had hands on experience at the community garden and harvest lunch the following fall (when they were in grade 6). Grade 6’s cared for the shrubs on the property for their unit on trees. We were blessed to have such an active and excited parent group, even despite the resistance to projects by Administration. The school board had placed a moritorium on garden development for school properties (too much money for upkeep when grass could just be mowed). Dealing with the administration was the most frustrating experience I’ve ever had. God’s vision of a Catholic school did not include plants or trees beyond what was already there. And it didn’t include any logical arguements to the contrary. Essentially, any natural beauty that was brought to the school grounds was an act of civil disobedience (parents planted spring blooming bulbs on the south side of the school during the moritorium). It was very disheartening.
Sadly, the group of parents who ran the successful green club have moved on to other schools and the club lost its momentum. I don’t even think the club exists at the elementary school anymore.
I guess if you have a parent community that supports bringing nature and natural concientousness to the classroom, you should create a contingency plan so ensure it survives. That was one thing we could have done better.
It takes a community to raise a garden.
Thanks for the broadcast. I listen to it alone, in my home office, while pounding through boring paper work. And I try to share it with people in my social network if I feel it’s something they would appreciate. I truly appreciate the work you put into it. Being a parent volunteer at school, I understand just how much energy it entails to live a dream. You bring topics to my radar that I would never dream of connecting to my garden interests. Thanks so much. Your work has not gone unnoticed. Cheers from Northern Canada. Lisa