ABOUT

California students and educators face many challenges that inequitably impact their physical and mental health, which is exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events. These challenges include decreased academic achievement, agency and empowerment, engagement, enthusiasm for learning, environmental literacy, social and emotional learning (SEL), and increased childhood health issues, including obesity, high diabetes rates, and general anxiety. Further compounding these issues is the pervasive plugged-in screen culture that disconnects youth from the natural world. 

School garden programs provide solutions for all of these challenges, but the lack of funding, school district awareness and buy-in, and qualified instructors means only a select few California public K–12 school students receive the benefits.

Sustainable funding to install, maintain, and lead instruction in school garden programs for every grade level at all California public schools.

Garden-based instruction offers a cost-effective and equitable way to engage students with the natural world around them, providing environmental literacy, agency, and empowerment that gives youth the foundational knowledge necessary to prepare them for the climate challenges they will face as adults. School garden programs address equity issues by providing all students access to nature, academic achievement issues by increasing curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, health issues by providing healthy food options, and anxiety and SEL issues through outdoor experiential learning.