Green Education Foundation Launches 10,000 Gardens Earth Day Event
Green Education Foundation (GEF) believes that what is healthy for kids is healthy for the planet. Youth gardening embodies this philosophy, offering opportunities for children to improve habits of nutrition and well-being while also empowering them to be stewards of the earth. On Earth Day (April 22) 2010, GEF is calling on schools and youth groups to choose a meaningful hands-on project to commemorate the event. As part of a day or afternoon of service on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, sign up for the GEF Green Thumb Challenge and help the nation reach its history-making goal of 10,000 gardens in 2010.
Whether planting beans seeds in recycled yogurt containers or jumpstarting a large garden project, you and your students can take part in this exciting and free youth event! Visit http://www.Gardens4EarthDay.org to learn more about how to participate.
GEF’s Green Thumb Challenge is the largest youth gardening initiative in history, mobilizing a nation of Green Keepers to get growing. In flower pots or on vegetable plots, in windowsills or on rooftops, no garden is too small and classroom gardens are welcome. Standards-based lessons, activities and gardening instructions are all provided on the website. “A significant goal of the Green Education Foundation is to promote creative and effective ways for schools to incorporate the outdoors into their curricula,” commented Victoria Waters, President of GEF. “Starting and maintaining gardens with youth provides meaningful hands-on learning opportunities that can be linked to various subjects and are appropriate for all grade levels.”
10,000 gardens planted for Earth Day 2010 spotlights the healthy benefits of gardening with youth. To this end, the Green Thumb Challenge aims to meet the following objectives:
• Address childhood obesity by promoting message of health and nutrition
• Provide national service-learning projects that address childhood hunger in America
• Connect youth gardening groups nationwide via the GEF online community
GEF has teamed up with several national partners, including the USDA MyPyramid Alliance and the National School Boards Association, and is sponsored by Lowe’s and six of the world’s leading garden suppliers. The program website http://www.greenthumbchallenge.org, serves as a one-stop gardening resource for participants nationwide. Participants receive a coupon for a $10 off a $50 purchase at Lowe’s, as well as free access to the GEF online community – an expansive global social network dedicated to environmental education. Visit http://www.greeenthumbchallenge.org and sign up for free today!
About Green Education Foundation
Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides environmental education resources for Pre K-12 classrooms and youth groups nationwide. GEF believes that what is healthy for the environment is healthy for kids, and promotes learning opportunities that develop sustainable habits of environmental stewardship in children and their communities. Visit http://www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.
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