Educational Gardens
Design and construction of project gardens for education and increased biodiversity
Our Services
Consultation + Concept Design Plan
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The ‘ideas’ stage.
General recommendations can be made at this stage, for broad achievable improvements to the grounds and garden maintenance.
This will include:
Initial meeting to understand your school’s specific needs, skills, and goals for the development of gardens.
120 min site visit and analysis to assess existing plantings, soil condition, slope, and microclimates.
Identify existing recycling systems (paper, cardboard, food scraps, green waste). Recommendations on how to cycle these resources back into the system as compost/mulch.
Understand existing maintenance/ground works; their frequency and tasks undertaken.
Identify areas for potential project gardens.
Discuss school timeframes, available budget, existing resources and possible external funding sources.
A follow up email with recommendations discussed.
Fee $350
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Extending on the above consultation, this concept plan marks existing and potential future elements of the school site, and their functional interactions. Areas for immediate improvement and possible sites for student project gardens are identified. This plan breaks the site into achievable sections and includes:
Initial meeting and consultation as above.
Marking on the site plan; water, high traffic areas/site usage, existing vegetation, prevailing winds and micro climates.
The suggested locations of feature gardens, future student projects, recycling/ compost/ mulch depots, and potential additional locations for water tanks, paths, seating and service areas. Locations are chosen for maximum interactive benefits.
Recommendations of materials and suitable plant species for site.
2d concept plan presented with photographic examples of recommendations.
Pricing:
Consultation + Concept Plan Fee will depend on the scope of works/area.
An Individual Garden Plan is $500 and includes accurate costings for the project.
Overall School Concept Design starts at $1500. The Overall School Concept Design is a broad plan which maps out future directions and interactions for the site.
Student Project Gardens
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We encourage the gardens to be used as ‘outdoor classrooms’.
In developing project gardens, we:
Invite and encourage the input and inclusion of staff and students, addressing any specific needs and interests of who will be using the garden.
Include any/all departments such as; art, metalwork, woodwork (carvings, sculpture, seating) food technology, environmental education, sciences (including the development of plant labels for scientific identification and the monitoring of wildlife)
Research with students into the local (endemic) plants as well as identification of other suitable plant species to create habitat for biodiversity and year-round shelter and fodder for bees, birds and insects. We also include the identification of weed species.
Work with the abilities of students to design, construct and plant out their project garden.
We can assist in applying for external funding (ie Environmental – For the protection and increase of habitat for biodiversity, Waste Minimisation Funds, Artistic – Creative Communities) as well as potential local corporate sponsorship.
Fees will depend on the scope and duration of the project, please contact us to discuss.
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We can facilitate workshops to teach children valuable gardening and permaculture skills, including composting.
We can also facillitate the creation of a mural with students, both as an artistic project and as an enduring educational aid.
Please contact us for more information and to discuss cost.
School Garden Maintinence + Care
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We recommend schools invest in a horticulturalist (weekly or fortnightly) to work alongside existing grounds maintenance staff to select appropriate species and to care for plants and gardens. This ensures their long term success. Financial savings can be made through waste reduction and the cycling of materials through the system. A regular horticulturalist also provides support to all internal and external garden projects (ie Fruit Trees in Schools programmes, kitchen/kai gardens and composting areas). This removes pressure from teaching and maintenance staff who may not have the time to manage them.
The funds invested in developinga beautiful and abundant environment to learn and work increases student participation, and enjoyment and pride in the environment (from both staff and students).
As each school has unique requirements, please contact us to discuss projects and fees.
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MORE INFO HERE
Contact Us
Get in touch to discuss your school’s vision.
We can also advise/assist with possible external funding options.
“Rachel is incredibly dedicated and positive about her work. She included students in a garden project that not only engaged that class, but has become a lively hub and aesthetic pleasure for all. The space used to be an open dirt patch between grey portable rooms - now it is a vibrant retreat. Wonderful work!”
