The 2017-18 school year will mark a huge step for Project Learning Garden (PLG) as we establish program roots in schoolyards across metropolitan Los Angeles, CA and in London, UK.
Both major expansions are the result of partnerships we’ve built with local funders and non-profits. These critical local partners are passionate about bringing Project Learning Garden to their communities in order to provide schools with a robust and holistic schoolyard garden program.
With PLG already well-established in Ventura County and Carpenteria schools, Captain Planet Foundation was invite to bring the program to Los Angeles County by working directly with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Sustainability Initiatives, and with funding from Dole Packaged Foods and Cox Communications.
In London, it was CPF’s relationship with Rosie Boycott, Chair of the London Food Board and advisor to the Greater London Authority’s Food Programme, that began the conversation of adapting Project Learning Garden for the United Kingdom over two years ago. A recent funding commitment from Seeds of Change and a key partnership with UK-based Garden Organic is making that vision a reality this Fall!
Garden Organic will work with CPF to adapt Project Learning Garden lessons to the national curriculum of the UK and a dedicated Garden Organic staff member will get the first 30 schools onto the PLG program in the upcoming school year. The plan is for CPF to work closely with Garden Organic to ensure the program is meeting school & curricular needs, with CPF transitioning to a supporting role – as Garden Organic takes the lead on PLG in the UK into the future.
The expansion of Project Learning Garden advances the goal of Captain Planet Foundation to ensure that ALL kids have access to an outdoor learning space as part of their early education. CPF is committed to working with partners and funders in communities across the country and around the world to adapt the program to local priorities, while providing high quality materials and support to integrate the program into the culture of their schools.