J. J. Pickle Elementary School Outdoor Education and Gardening Programs

The gardens and outdoor education projects at J. J. Pickle Elementary got started in response to increasing evidence of the impact of poverty on children’s connections with nature.  A teacher at this high-poverty, high-needs public elementary school, in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Austin, had become aware of students’ lack of basic science and nature knowledge, fear of insects and “dirt,” and struggles with obesity and exercise.  When we went on small field/study trips to places like the Austin Nature Center, students had trouble walking more than a short distance, worried about getting dirt on their shoes or hands, and ran from anything moving; but at the same time they also expressed fascination and excitement about seeing the outdoors and learning about it.  The school itself is a relatively new building with very nice architectural features, but the surrounding landscape was barren and dusty.  Spaces between the wings of the school, right outside the classroom windows, were completely empty.  The great transformation began in the fall of 2009 with a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture and many volunteer hours from parents, teachers, neighbors, and friends.  4 years later the J. J. Pickle programs won not only the "Beautification" award but also the "Best of the Best" award from Keep Austin Beautiful!  Come see our Butterfly Garden, Peace Garden, Rain Garden, solar-powered aquaponics, composting, wildflowers, and loads of healthy vegetables.  Growing STRONGER, SMARTER, HAPPIER all the time :)