The R.S. Payne Forest Garden

The R. S. Payne Forest Garden was established on April 19, 2023, thanks to generous funding from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and the Department of Forestry. The project enlisted the support of dedicated students and faculty from Randolph College, Lynchburg College, and the Lynchburg City School's Facilities Department, alongside the valuable contribution of the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The R. S. Payne Food Forest project aims to address the urban heat island effect and reduce temperatures in the urban elementary school and neighborhood. The project involved research, design, and implementation of the garden. The garden is currently maintained by LCS staff and volunteers.

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Food Forests, AKA Forest Gardens

Food forests, sometimes called forest gardens, are landscapes designed to mimic the ecosystem of natural forests while focusing on edible perennials. They benefit the environment by increasing biodiversity, reducing surface temperatures, improve soil, air, and water quality. Added community benefits from food forests include reducing food insecurity, creating community engagement activities, and educational opportunities.

Learn More About Food Forests

Why R. S. Payne?

High Temperatures

The urban heat island effect is strongly felt at R. S. Payne. With less tree canopy coverage and more heat absorbing surfaces like buildings and pavement, Diamond Hill is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Lynchburg.

Accessibility

R.S. Payne is easily accessible by both the students and faculty at R.S. Payne and neighbors. During school hours the food forest can be used for recreation and learning opportunities. Outside of school hours the food forest is open for the public to enjoy.

Food Desert

The majority of the Diamond Hill Neighborhood population lives over a mile away from a supermarket or grocery store (blue dots). Diamons Hill is also a low income tract with an average household income that's 80 percent or less of the metropolitan area’s median family income.

What's Growing Here?

The design of the garden and plant selection was led by Eva Hey, a Randolph College graduate.The plants growing in the R.S Payne forest garden were chosen because of their resilience characteristics, ability to support pollinator health, and their potential for providing forage. All of these trees and shrubs tolerate heat and drought and resist pests and disease. These plants are dispersed throughout the garden because planting a variety of species intermixed with each other helps discourage the spread of pests and disease.