The GIES program aims to educate K-12 school-age children, families, staff, and community members about wise water usage through school gardens. These gardens feature climate appropriate plants, and teach that in our mediterranean climate we can achieve beuatiful gardens without the need to consume so much water. Efficient irrigation is implemented to show families that there are other options for watering a landscape eithout wasting water. Fruit and vegetable gardens are also installed so that children can learn the importance of water for growing food. Gardens are coordinated with state-aligned curriculum materials. A school can have habitat gardens, vegetable gardens, food forests, mediterranean gardens, and many different types of gardens.
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North Tamarind's Vegetable beds also have been poles to create
a nice canopy for people to walk through. |
The program began in 2004 and has since completed gardens in 39 schools throughout the IEUA's service area. In 2010-2011 we completed our first garden at a high school with Ranco Cucamonga High School paving the way. Another 5 schools are planned to be completed by the end of the 2011-2012 school year allowing us to reach over 35,000 students their teachers, administrators, and families.
