School Gardens Program
School gardens are important green spaces for learning, discovery and exploration.
These living classrooms help students reconnect with the natural world through observation and exploration of biodiversity, plant life, nature cycles and food literacy. Gardening also improves mental, physical and emotional health, as well as patience, teamwork, and learning to make healthier food choices.
The School Gardens Program strives to connect children and youth to their food, classmates, nature, and community by delivering inclusive and interactive programming on environmental and food literacy education for K-12 schools, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations during the year.
For inquiries or to book a specific type of program, please email the School Gardens Program Coordinator, Sharlene at Sharlene@spec.bc.ca or fill out and submit the program booking request form.
Explore the online education platform Neighbourhood Nature School. A social space where anyone can participate, from the comfort of their home and outside in nature. This resource is ideal for educators and parents seeking nature-based lessons and activities.
Follow us on Instagram for teaching resources and activities.
Program Details
Impact
SPEC volunteers started the School Gardens Program over fifteen years ago to introduce food gardens and education to school age children and youth. Since the inception of the program, we have helped establish food gardens, supported food literacy, and led environmental education lessons in over 20+ different schools across Vancouver. The Program continues to adapt and expand to other communities and school districts to proactively respond to both educator needs and current environmental issues.
Testimonials
Supporters
Acme Delivery Company
BC Community Gaming Grant
Tides Foundation
New Horizons Grant
Federal Government via Canada Summer Jobs
School Parents and Individual Donors
Curriculum Resource: Green Thumbs at School
SPEC believes quality education on food literacy should be accessible to all. That’s why we created Green Thumbs at School: SPEC Food Garden Lesson Book, a free resource. The lesson book consists of 9 lesson plans for teachers with activity sheets on soils, worms, composting, seeds, pollinators, and more.
The lessons support the BC Ministry of Education Integrated Resource Package (IRP) Guidelines for Science. Several of these lessons have been translated to French and can find them here: Lesson 3, lesson 7, lesson 9, and lesson 8 on insect anatomy and insect life cycles.
The development of the Green Thumbs at School lesson book was made possible by funding provided by the Vancouver Foundation.
Stay tuned for a revised, grade specific curricular resource available in the Fall of 2025.
Garden Site Assessments: For New and Existing Outdoor Learning Spaces
SPEC provides one-on-one consultations for new or existing school gardens through a site assessment (September to October and March only). The consultation consists of an on-site visit to discuss and determine best garden locations, aspect, water sources, crop planning, addressing climate adaptability, composting systems, infastructure, and materials sourcing and funding sources. Virtual site assessments are available as well (pricing varies).
A follow-up written report is included. Consultations are $150. Depending on location, additional fees will be added for travel.
Please choose from one of two options for the site visit questionnaire. For March site visits, the questionnaires will be available starting February 1.
Dive Deeper
Here are some great resources to help you dive deeper into gardening and food literacy or learn even more about the School Gardens Program.