Explore Ecology School Gardens Will Flourish- Thank You, Garden Club of Santa Barbara
Research shows that children who grow their own food tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, have a greater understanding of ecology, and receive higher test scores in science. School gardens are more important than ever and thanks to the Garden Club of Santa Barbara, Explore Ecology’s School Gardens Program will continue to grow.
Happy Gardeners!
Explore Ecology has been awarded a $12,250 grant from the Garden Club of Santa Barbara to support irrigation updates and training in thirty school gardens. With current drought conditions, efficient irrigation systems have never been more important. The grant ensures that the Explore Ecology School Gardens Program can continue to provide students the opportunity to receive outdoor education in well-tended, beautiful school gardens.
School Garden
The Explore Ecology School Gardens Program currently serves approximately 10,000 elementary age students in 30 schools. Fourteen Garden Educators teach lessons in each garden about composting, organic gardening, nutrition, healthy food choices, and science.
The Garden Club of Santa Barbara has supported school gardens since the early 1900’s. One of their first projects in 1917 was to donate seeds to schools. Explore Ecology is the only project they have supported on an annual basis since early 2000.
Some Members of the Garden Club
For 25 years, Explore Ecology has been a vital force for garden education. We appreciate the Garden Club of Santa Barbara and say thank you on behalf of all the children who will be working, learning, and playing in our school gardens!
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Rachel Palmer
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Lydia
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.