Broadview Middle School in Danbury has officially dedicated its “Schoolyard Habitat” garden, with the help of a 3-thousand dollar grant.  Broadview was chosen last fall as one of two schools in Connecticut for the Audubon Society Schoolyard Habitat Program.  Students involved in the school’s Roots & Shoots afterschool program care for the gardens.  The entire sixth grade has used the gardens to learn ecology, starting with a nature walk as a unit introduction. 

For the past three years, students and teachers dedicated two areas around the school to gardens that grow native plants and vegetables and encourage good environmental practice for the community.

The gardens were established as a grassroots effort without any resources, which led to the grant funding.  A Peace Garden in the front of the school is home to native species.  13 raised beds on the side of the school are used to grow herbs and vegetables, such as cucumbers and peppers. 

The raised beds were built by students from the Alternative Center for Excellence and teacher John Webber.  Science teacher Dallas Moore and reading teacher Sue Mills led the project with help from school social worker Christine Miller and ESL teacher Val Anderson.