Cultivating food, community, and climate resilience on a human scale
Our community gardens and food forests are pivotal ways DUG supports urban green space regeneration in the Denver metro area. Not only do our growing spaces promote healthier soils and increase biodiversity, but they also cool our city with tree cover and encourage community-building.
Community gardens and food forests work together to create a network of urban spaces dedicated to promoting food access, community-building, and climate resiliency.
Denver Urban Gardens stewards over 200 community gardens and food forests in the Denver metro area in seven counties (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, and Jefferson). Our urban green spaces invite our community to grow fresh and healthy food for themselves and their families.
Community Gardens
DUG’s community gardens are comprised of both public & private spaces. They are managed by over 300 volunteer Garden Leaders and cultivated by thousands of community gardeners.
Community gardens are a great way to grow fresh & healthy food for you and your family. Gardeners cultivate annuals (like tomatoes and pumpkin) each season, following the growing season from seed starting to putting the garden to bed.
The diversity of our gardens is reflected in their sizes, organizational structures, community cultures, and internal community agreements.
Food Forests
DUG’s food forests emerged more recently with the support of the Etkin Family in 2022. In the years following, our food forest network has expanded to over 20 locations comprised of various food-producing tree & shrub plant varieties.
Unlike community gardens, food forests are a way to provide enduring support for the community, with perennial trees & bushes that grow year after year. Anyone is welcome to these spaces, and can pick berries or nuts as they’d like.
Each unique space is supported by volunteer Tree Keepers who are trained to maintain the space and build community.
Growth Initiatives
This program aims to design and develop gardens tailored to support children and adults who have undergone trauma, possess unique emotional needs, or seek sensory enrichment. At the core of the Therapeutic Garden Initiative lies a profound commitment to curating spaces that foster healing, growth, and connection. Learn more about the Therapeutic Garden Initiative!
The Urban Garden Project was launched in 2023 as a way to unite, uplift, and activate the community garden and food forest movement across the US and the world. This initiative brings together organizations across the country to lead urban regeneration in their communities. Learn more about the Urban Garden Project!
Leadership Trainings
Food Forestry Training Program
This cohort-based, year-long training program prepared participants to steward food-producing forest spaces in an urban settings. Participants learn about topics ranging from general tree care to disease management, and more. Learn more about the Food Forestry Training Program!
Our Garden Leaders and Tree Keepers are volunteers who steward our growing spaces year-round. Garden Leaders and Tree Keepers start their training during DUG’s annual Symposium where they dive deep into topics such as accessibility in garden spaces and youth engagement. Throughout the year, they have opportunities to connect with one another, brainstorm solutions to problems, and celebrate successes.
This cohort-based program invites youth ages 15-23 to embark on a year-long journey exploring various facets of nonprofit operations and management. Fellows earn a stipend and gain hands-on and intensive experience within DUG’s expansive network of community gardens and food forests.
