Stamford, CT – Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is excited to announce it will design, plant and care for a vegetable garden in the Harold Sandak Garden at Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC). The Bartlett will also maintain the garden, help harvest produce and teach about the associated health benefits, along with garden-based activities at appropriate times throughout the season. This year, the program will be funded by CLC and a private foundation.
Once the garden has been established and planted this spring, Bartlett staff will be on-site at CLC Palmers Hill twice per week throughout the year to help maintain the garden. A shared long-term goal for both organizations is to add more varieties of food that are important to different cultures, so various backgrounds are represented and experienced through food. This year, some of the food varieties that will be planted include tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, strawberries and herbs.
Due to COVID restrictions, the Bartlett will not be working directly with the children this year, however they will be collaborating with teachers and staff to provide garden and nature-based curriculum and activities. They do hope to be able to provide direct programming with the children in future years.
“Fresh vegetables are a treat, especially when you grow your own,” said Bartlett CEO, Jane von Trapp. “The Bartlett is excited to introduce vegetable gardening to the children and staff at CLC. It will be fun to watch them grow and to enjoy the “fruits” of their labor. We are pleased to join in this partnership with CLC!”
“We are extremely excited to be collaborating with The Bartlett Arboretum as they offer us an outstanding opportunity to act jointly in support of our organic garden. The age-appropriate learning experiences they provide will help our children to take a closer look at wildlife and the lifecycle of plants, encouraging them to eat healthy fruits and vegetables they harvest straight from our garden. Learning responsibility and patience as children wait for their seeds to sprout, and engaging in conversation based on these garden experiences will support their understanding of the world and enhance their cognitive abilities,” said Mary Basso, Child Development Program Director at CLC.
Visit www.bartlettarboretum.org for more information.
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About the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens:
The mission of the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens is to provide a sanctuary and foster curiosity to explore, enjoy, and learn about the habitats of the natural world.
- Preserving a 93-acre sanctuary of southwest New England natural ecosystems for generations to explore and enjoy
- Providing comprehensive environmental, horticulture and plant science educational programs for children and adults
- Providing opportunities for recreation, enjoyment, and exploration of the natural world for all ages
- Maintaining a diverse collection of trees, gardens, and plants that celebrate biodiversity and reflect the ecology and character of our region
- Promoting conservation and principles of sustainable landscape management
About Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC)
Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) has been a leader in developing and implementing high-quality and affordable early childhood education and care programs since 1902. All of the nonprofit agency’s eight locations are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or approved by Federal Head Start.
CLC is committed to providing early childhood education for all families, with direct services and programs focused on health, nutrition & family support for children aged 6 weeks – 5 years of age. CLC is grounded in the mission that together, we’ll shape a generation through early childhood education.
To learn more, please visit www.clcfc.org.