The idea for the network came from my experiences in starting the Granny's Garden School program and the many educators who have toured our gardens. When starting Granny's Garden School I searched for information and support.  There was virtually no lesson plans available where students actually planted in a garden rather than in a cup. What information was there often came with a large price tag.  Like most school garden programs, we had a lot of passion but little money.  I made a decision early on that we would make all of our lesson plans and other information available free via the internet.  We ask only that you let us know what your are using, how you are using it and any suggestions you have for doing things differently.

Though it was only six years ago, there has been a great change in the number of school garden programs across the country and the information available.  Some of the resources are excellent and worth paying for, i.e. Stephanie Alexander's book Kitchen Garden Cooking with Kids while others are less so (i.e. a kit to plant seeds in a pot for $10).  Since then, there are garden/outdoor learning programs popping up all around the world.  Here are links to some of the major programs I am aware of - just in the mostly English speaking countries - there are hundreds maybe thousands smaller ones.  The ones listed below focus on gardens but there are many ways to use school grounds to teach about nature.  For example, you can use a weed pulled from a crack in the pavement to teach about roots.

Many teachers, parents, administrators have toured our gardens and "picked our brains" but lack of time prevents offering more than advice, tools, plants and seeds.  We have mentored a couple of the programs in our area in their efforts to create school yard based learning programs.  In addition to networking with schools in other parts of the world via the internet, we are visiting other school based environmental programs whenever possible. We do not have all of the answers but we do know lots of the questions.  Let us hear about what you are doing.