Northwest Denver School Holds Ground-Breaking Event for Community Garden March 15

Concept Grew Out of Desire to Build Community

February 25, 2008 – Denver, Colo. – Brown International Academy, a Denver Public School located in northwest Denver, will host a ground-breaking celebration for its new community garden. The garden will offer a unique center for community building, with an emphasis on offering the elementary students hands-on experiences that will support the learning of science, social and cultural studies, and art. The project is a collaborative effort between the staff of Brown, the Brown Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), and Denver Public Schools (DPS).

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2008

Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm

Location: Brown International Academy, 2550 Lowell Blvd (on the school’s east side)

The garden planning committee is seeking volunteers from the local community to attend the ground- breaking event – and encourages them to come equipped with their own shovels and a willingness to “dig in” and help construct the garden. Free lunches and door prizes will be offered to those who attend, as well as chances to win other prizes. Local businesses are encouraged to come and show their support for the project.

The brainchild of the PTO, the garden was inspired by a desire to build community within and around the school, and to create healthy learning environments for students. Students, families, and neighbors are invited to sign up to help tend the garden. A portion of the garden space will be dedicated to classroom plots, while other plots will be available to interested parents and neighbors on a first come, first served basis.

In 2007, Brown received a $5,000 grant from Department of Health and Human Services to help construct the garden. The school also formed a critical partnership with DUG, a nonprofit organization that operates and assists with the creation and management of over 70 metro-area community gardens and small parks. DUG (www.dug.org) developed Brown’s initial garden design with plans for school and community plots, and continues to be an active consultant on the project. DUG has also generously offered to supplement the $5,000 grant with an additional $3,000 from the Gates Family Foundation, as well as in-kind donations of materials and consultation, all to help cover the costs of the garden.

"The Brown community garden was a natural for DUG to support, with wonderful potential for the kids to experience hands-on learning in the sciences, health and cultural studies, while providing real opportunities for the school to connect with neighborhood residents,” said Michael Buchenau, executive director at DUG. “We look forward to seeing how the garden brings this very active school community even closer together for the benefit of the children."

About Brown

Brown International Academy's mission is to empower learners to question, wonder, risk, care and act in the global community. The school fosters the growth of internationally minded people and creates positive attitudes about learning. By exploring themes of global significance melded with the Colorado State education standards, Brown delivers a strong academic core curriculum, while providing room for children to learn and grow in a nurturing environment. The school offers programming for students in ECE through 5^th grade. To learn more, check out the Web site at brown.dpsk12.org.

Media Contact:

Linda Lidov

Highland PR

303-455-5330