Langley, B.C.This spring, local elementary school students will learn more about their environment and become master gardeners while helping those in need in the community of Langley. Its all thanks to a unique program called Natures Classroom, now in its third year of operation.� Developed in partnership with Envision Financial (a division of First West Credit Union), Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op and Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS), Natures Classroom allows grade three to seven students to grow food for the Langley Food Bank while becoming stewards of the environment.
"Natures Classroom is an amazing learning opportunity for local studentspromoting both environmental awareness and the importance of giving back to the community," says Nikki Barrett, branch manager at Envision Financials Willoughby location. "Its also perfectly aligned with this years launch of The Full Cupboard, Envision Financials new community program designed to raise food, funds and awareness for local food banks."
As part of Natures Classroom, Langley students in six classes selected from Langley Meadows, R.C. Garnett, Simonds , Topham, Alex Hope and Peterson Road elementary schools will attend six workshops at Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op (located across from the Langley Events Centre on 200th Street) over a 12-week period beginning in April and ending in June. In 2012, six garden plots and two table top gardens provided a bounty of lettuce, beets, broccoli, potatoes and carrots to Langleys local food bank.
"LEPS is pleased to once again offer this innovative program to Langley students," says Nichole Marples, Executive Director at LEPS. "Natures Classroom provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about growing food, while developing skills around social and environmental responsibility. We are grateful for the support of Envision Financial and the involvement of our partners, the Maples Discovery Gardens, to enable the delivery of Natures Classroom."
The vegetables that will be grown by the students have been identified as the most nutritious by the Langley Food Bank. Last year over 95,000 British Columbians accessed their local food bank, 30% of whom were children. The launch of Natures Classroom is timely considering the recent announcement of Envision Financials signature cause, The Full Cupboard, through which Envision Financial has committed to raising at least $1 million for local food banks over the next 10 years.
Langley, B.C.This spring, local elementary school students will learn more about their environment and become master gardeners while helping those in need in the community of Langley. Its all thanks to a unique program called Natures Classroom, now in its third year of operation.� Developed in partnership with Envision Financial (a division of First West Credit Union), Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op and Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS), Natures Classroom allows grade three to seven students to grow food for the Langley Food Bank while becoming stewards of the environment.
"Natures Classroom is an amazing learning opportunity for local studentspromoting both environmental awareness and the importance of giving back to the community," says Nikki Barrett, branch manager at Envision Financials Willoughby location. "Its also perfectly aligned with this years launch of The Full Cupboard, Envision Financials new community program designed to raise food, funds and awareness for local food banks."
As part of Natures Classroom, Langley students in six classes selected from Langley Meadows, R.C. Garnett, Simonds , Topham, Alex Hope and Peterson Road elementary schools will attend six workshops at Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op (located across from the Langley Events Centre on 200th Street) over a 12-week period beginning in April and ending in June. In 2012, six garden plots and two table top gardens provided a bounty of lettuce, beets, broccoli, potatoes and carrots to Langleys local food bank.
"LEPS is pleased to once again offer this innovative program to Langley students," says Nichole Marples, Executive Director at LEPS. "Natures Classroom provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about growing food, while developing skills around social and environmental responsibility. We are grateful for the support of Envision Financial and the involvement of our partners, the Maples Discovery Gardens, to enable the delivery of Natures Classroom."
The vegetables that will be grown by the students have been identified as the most nutritious by the Langley Food Bank. Last year over 95,000 British Columbians accessed their local food bank, 30% of whom were children. The launch of Natures Classroom is timely considering the recent announcement of Envision Financials signature cause, The Full Cupboard, through which Envision Financial has committed to raising at least $1 million for local food banks over the next 10 years.