LATEST STRATEGY: We submitted letters of support for GGRF budget requests

We advocate for every California public school to have the resources, including long-term funding, to provide on-school site garden-based instruction as an equitable and cost-effective way to instill environmental literacy across all grade levels.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Requests

Building on the momentum of SB 341, we are pursuing two Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund requests. These strategic initiatives represent immediate and long-term pathways to secure $25 million for California's Instructional School Garden Program.

Learn more about our GGRF requests

Read our August newsletter covering our GGRF request strategy

Learn more about SB 341

Goals

Student inspecting flower with a magnifying glass

Main Goal

Secure Sustainable Funding

to install, maintain, and lead instruction in experiential school garden programs* statewide at all public schools for every grade band level (TK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12).

Twos students in school garden measuring plants and taking notes

Sub-Goal

Establish a system of support

for launching and sustaining school garden programs by establishing a statewide infrastructure for leadership.

Strategies

ADVOCACY

Request sustainable funding from the state for all schools to have school gardens and educational programs (e.g. ballot measure, legislation, commitment of sustained funding from government).

IMPACT

Conduct research, gather evidence, and publish case studies to present the qualitative and quantitative impact that school garden programs provide. Identify best practices for installation, maintenance, and instruction in school gardens across California.

School children outdoors with shovels for planting

NETWORK

Cultivate a network of organizations across the state that provide direct support for school garden instructional programs, and develop a shared vision.

Impact Spotlight: Data

The Green Schoolyards Analysis provides an overview of the current state of school gardens across California's K–12 school districts, revealing a lack of equitable access. Only 50% of school districts have established school gardens, and even fewer incorporate garden-based education into their curricula!

The findings indicate a pressing need for substantial efforts to ensure that all schools and districts in California can benefit from the educational and environmental advantages of school gardens.

Check Out Our School Garden Data Graphs & Findings