Garden Funding Program Purpose:
Each year, up to seven schools will be selected from a pool of competitive applicants to participate in the Garden in Every School® Program (GIES). The purpose of the GIES program is to educate elementary school-age children and their families, school staff, and other community members about wise water usage through the establishment of thematic school gardens that feature drought tolerant plants and efficient irrigation methods that are coordinated with provision state-aligned curriculum materials. Building this relationship with the schools is increasingly important to IEUA and its partners especially in this time of drought: through GIES participating schools, school boards, and maintenance districts become aware of conservation opportunities through proper irrigation techniques, and low water use plants. Garden Funding Program Elements:
Schools participating in the garden funding program will receive: Assistance in the establishment of a thematic garden, including site selection, irrigation installation, design and installation of the garden, resources for teachers and parents on the use of the state-aligned curriculum materials promoting wise water use, and coordination of a garden dedication event. Funding of drought-tolerant plants, vegetables, garden tools, irrigation equipment and state-aligned curriculum materials valued up to approximately $4,500 will also be provided. Workshops designed for past and future participating schools, their teachers, parents and volunteers to share and learn about garden-based instruction that is aligned with the State Content Standards are provided by the IEUA for participants in the program. The landscape irrigation audit program this fall that will provide each school with information and additional grant opportunities for conserving water and developing cost-effective landscaping. Each school will also receive a Garden in Every School® Workbook
Past Participating Schools:
• 2004/2005 - Alta Loma Elementary School-Rancho Cucamonga, Butterfield Ranch Elementary School-Chino Hills, Euclid Elementary School-Ontario, Grant Elementary School-Fontana, Lehigh Elementary School-Montclair, Magnolia Elementary School-Upland, and Rhodes Elementary School-Chino
• 2005/2006 - Coyote Canyon Elementary School-Rancho Cucamonga, Foothill Knolls Elementary School-Upland, Hidden Trails Elementary School-Chino Hills, Newman Elementary School-Chino, North Tamarind Elementary School-Fontana, Ranch View Elementary School-Ontario
• 2006/2007 - Buena Vista-Arts Integrated-Montclair, El Rancho Elementary School-Chino, Liberty Elementary School-Ontario, Litel Elementary School-Chino Hills, Poplar Elementary School-Fontana, Sycamore Elementary School-Upland, Victoria Groves Elementary School-Alta Loma
• 2008/2009 - Anna Borba Elementary School-Chino, Glenmeade Elementary School-Chino Hills, Grapeland Elementary School-Etiwanda, Jasper Elementary School-Alta Loma, Ontario Center School-Ontario
• 2009/2010 - Stork Elementary School-Alta Loma, Baldy View Elementary School-Upland, Howard Cattle Elementary School-Chino, Mariposa Elementary School-Ontario
• 2010/2011 - Rancho Cucamonga High School – Rancho Cucamonga, Briggs Elementary - Chino, Mission Elementary - Ontario, Montera Elementary - Montclair.
• Grant Recipients 2011/2012 – Los Osos High School – Rancho Cucamonga, Monte Vista Elementary School - Montclair, Redeemer Lutheran Elementary School - Ontario, Upland High School - Upland.
Resources:
IEUA and the Regional Conservation Partnership will award up to seven schools funding for the garden program in early September, 2009. Awarded schools that meet the eligibility requirements will receive up to $4,500*.
Every year IEUA and its Regional Conservation Partnership host a workshop to highlight participants from past year’s programs, explain the alignment of garden based learning with the State Content Standards and review the program application process. The workshop occurred on Saturday February 27, 2010 from 8:30am — 12:00pm at IEUA Headquarters. Below are presentations previously given for the workshop that is held every year.
Garden Program Eligibility:
Schools must attend the recruitment and program overview workshop, complete the application, possess the commitment of the facilities manager, appoint a lead teacher, parent, and principal, and have the superintendent’s approval. Sites are limited to 2000 square feet and must have, or have the means to create a dedicated irrigation line in addition to electricity to the proposed site. Schools must commit hands on participation by teachers, parents and students on specified planting and garden work days. In accepting this funding, the school also agrees to provide a summary and evaluation of the project when complete, describing how the teachers used the landscape for garden-based education, including smart water usage. Schools must participate in a garden dedication ceremony after plants have been established for the students, school staff, parents, and community members, including partnering agencies, program sponsors, elected officials and the media.
Interested in the 2012-2013 Program?
• Come to some of the workshops designed for Teachers, Parents, and Children at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
• Begin Planning and Building your Team of Volunteers Today!
• Contact Andrew Kanzler at akanzler@ieua.org
Sponsors:
Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the Regional Conservation Partnership, comprised of your local water providers, including the Cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario, Upland, Cucamonga Valley Water District (City of Rancho Cucamonga), Monte Vista Water District (City of Montclair), Fontana Water Company and San Antonio Water Company (City of Upland). Lewis Group of Companies is a major sponsor for the GIES program. The mission of IEUA is to supply imported and recycled water, collect, treat and dispose of wastewater and provide other utility-related (renewable electrical energy, compost) services to the communities it serves in a regionally planned, managed and cost-effective manner. In partnership with its retail agencies, IEUA strives to enhance the quality of life in the Inland Empire by providing the management for the area’s customers while promoting conservation and environmental protection.
