Press release from The Roots Foundation:
The Vance Elementary schoolyard in West Asheville is undergoing a transformation.
The Roots Foundation has been working with teachers, administration, parents, and students at Vance Elementary for over a year to create plans for developing the school grounds into an interactive, ecological learning laboratory that brings learning beyond four walls and connects the curriculum to the environment.
The Roots Foundation, which recently received 501c3 status, is a new non-profit founded by Asheville’s Roots Hummus company. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance education and communities through edible landscaping and garden-based education.
As part of their ‘Heroes’ program, Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Smokey Park Highway is now partnering with Vance Elementary and the Roots Foundation to bring the vision for ‘edible education’ at the school to life.
During the second week of August (8/9 – 12), Lowe’s will be contributing many dozens of volunteer hours, building materials, and expertise to install a variety of features including raised beds, picnic tables, a patio and shade pergola, trellises, and plantings of native wildflowers, edible ornamentals, and more.
The Lowe’s Heroes program has been in place since the 90’s. Through the program, employees show their commitment to improving the community through volunteering 1000’s of hours each year to meet a critical need at a local non-profit organization or K-12 public or charter school.
The Vance Elementary school grounds will be primed for teachers returning later this month to bring their classes outside as a routine part of the school day. With support from the Roots Foundation, the great outdoors will become a powerful teaching tool and nature the ultimate teacher’s assistant.
Connecting the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curricula and other subjects to the natural world can improve attention and behavior; improve eating and exercise habits and health; improve academic performance and narrow the achievement gap between income levels and between learning types; and empower students to have an active and positive relationship with and impact on their local ecosystem and community.
To donate, volunteer, or find out more, visit rootsfound.org or email connect@rootsfound.org
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