Schoolyard Makeover Second Opportunity

Fifteen years ago when Westbury Community Garden broke ground, the science teacher at nearby Foerster elementary established a WCG plot for his students. The kids walked down to the garden to have all types of outdoor learning experiences. At the WCG groundbreaking ceremony, Foerster second graders wearing green headbands adorned with seed packets recited a poem. When the science teacher left the school, interest in the school garden waned. At times over the years, WCG has helped the school revive its now on-campus garden beds and Garden Club. This year the new energetic principal, Trevor Williams, has again reached out to WCG for help. The school had a robust garden program last year thanks to a teacher from Urban Harvest. Ten students achieved Junior Master Gardener certification. Mr. Williams hopes to build on that momentum this year with a new garden teacher and some volunteer help from WCG.

The relationship with Foerster Elementary fulfilled part of the WCG Mission then and now. Our Mission: The Westbury Community Garden educates adults and children about good nutrition and ecology, strengthens community spirit, provides organically-grown food, and serves as a gathering place for the community.

Action Plan:

There are two Saturdays in August scheduled for a courtyard makeover at Foerster. August 2 and 9, WCG volunteers will swarm the school's two courtyards for tree trimming, weed-pulling, native plantings, and rehab of the two small raised beds for vegetable gardens. We will solicit volunteer help from our high school connections, Urban Harvest, and Volunteer Houston. The students will do the vegetable planting once school is back in session.

Can you help on August 2 or August 9, 9:00 - 12:00, with the courtyard makeover and veggie garden rehab? Teachers will come back to school during the first two weeks of August and first day of school for the student body is August 12. We hope to have two beautiful Welcome Back courtyards in place for this deserving school.

Volunteers should contact volunteers@westburycommunitygarden.org if they can help on either day.