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ORHS Garden & Mural
At Oak Ridge High School, we are partnering with Project Green to establish a garden that will feature raised beds for planting, wide pathways for accessibility, shaded seating areas for working outdoors, a vibrant mural wall for creativity, and a compost for sustainability.
Overview
Community gardens are hubs for connecting. Currently, Oak Ridge students connect through their phones. They learn science from online labs. They go to wellness-counseling in a gray, portable classroom. We want to change that.
This garden will be a place for the whole student body: "outdoor lab" for science students; serene space for wellness-counseling; hands-on place for special education; garden for growing a green-thumb; and ingredients for culinary classes.
It’s not just about gardening; it’s about creating a platform for all students to learn, heal, and grow.
Help Establish a Garden at Oak Ridge
Collaborating with Project Green, we are building a vibrant school garden at Oak Ridge High School—a space where students can learn, connect, and grow.
We need $30,000 to make this project a reality.
✨ Ways You Can Help:
🌱 $20 - Provides gardening tools
🌿 $50 - Supports plant purchases
🌻 $150 - Funds a raised garden bed
🪑 $800 - Covers a picnic table for student seating
💚 Every donation makes a difference—thank you for your support!
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Amount
$20
$50
$100
$500
Other
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Vision for the Fountain
Vision for the Fencing
(surrounding the garden beds)
Garden Layout
Mural Inspo
Project Green
Our Partner
Project Green partners with schools to create sustainable garden programs, offering expertise in planning, planting, garden coordination, and curriculum. These school gardens provide a peaceful retreat for students during lunch breaks and are frequently used by school counselors to support students' emotional well-being. Impact teams run by the garden program provide opportunities to improve other green spaces on campus.
Learn More About the Garden's ...
Purpose
School gardens provide hands-on learning opportunities that extend far beyond the traditional classroom, benefiting both students and the wider community. Research consistently highlights how gardening integrates multiple disciplines, such as science, social studies, math, writing, visual arts, health, and nutrition, while fostering critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, the mental and physical health benefits of school gardens are well-documented, offering students a space to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Oak Ridge High School garden will also have a mural wall to give the garden space a creative flair. The mural will enliven the garden, leaning into the vibrant, nature-filled side. By incorporating Oak Ridge’s colors, the mural will strengthen school spirit while fostering a welcoming and positive atmosphere. These thoughtful design elements will make the garden a welcoming, inclusive, and functional space.
This garden will serve all students (2,400 students total, with an additional 600 freshmen each year), including those who are shy, outgoing, athletic, special needs, or new to the school. It will be a safe, nurturing space where students can connect with nature, each other, and themselves. Through participation, students will:
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Develop self-confidence and practical skills related to growing food.
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Improve social interactions, as the garden accommodates diverse learning styles and personalities.
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Enhance physical and emotional health through outdoor activity and connection with nature.
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Expand their understanding of the benefits of fruits and vegetables, fostering healthier eating habits.
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Deepen their knowledge of earth sciences and environmental stewardship, fueling a passion for learning and improving academic performance.
Beyond these tangible outcomes, the garden will be a reliable space where students can collaborate, build friendships, and develop an appreciation for teamwork and hard work. It will be a haven for learning, wellness, and personal growth, creating lasting impacts for the entire school community.
Timeline
Summer 2025 (June–August):
The foundation of the garden will be established during the summer. This includes:
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Fencing: Installed by professional contractors to secure the space.
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Garden Beds: Constructed and filled with nutrient-rich soil by student/community volunteers. A call for volunteers will be made through the Student/Parent Square so that all students and parents at Oak Ridge and Project Green will receive an email asking for their help.
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Picnic Tables: Ordered, delivered, and placed in designated areas to serve as gathering and learning/work spaces.
Fall 2025 (September–November):
Planting will begin with seasonal crops, allowing students to actively participate in the growing process early in the school year. During this time, we will:
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Develop a schedule for teachers to reserve garden time for their classes.
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Collaborate with the garden coordinator to define responsibilities for maintenance and harvest distribution.
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Begin integrating the garden into science, special education, and culinary class curriculums.
Winter–Spring 2026 (December–May):
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Conduct ongoing maintenance and additional planting, ensuring continuous student engagement.
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Harvest produce for culinary classes and other uses within the school.
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Host educational workshops led by Project Green to teach students sustainable gardening practices.
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Evaluate the program’s progress and collect feedback from teachers, students, and volunteers to refine operations.
May 2026:
By May, the garden will be fully functional. Bringing all these elements together completes a center for students to connect with each other and nature, complementing the ambience of Oak Ridge. All biology freshmen will have had hands-on garden experiences, and the space will be ready to serve as a sustainable and long-term resource for the Oak Ridge community.
Budget
The total project cost for establishing the Oak Ridge High School garden is $29,292. This budget covers essential materials, labor, and resources to ensure the garden is well-constructed, functional, and sustainable for years to come.
Here’s the project’s total budget:
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Fencing ($6,591): A professional quote from Sierra Pacific Fence Co. to install deer fencing.
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Soil ($800): Gardening soil and compost to fill the garden beds.
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Galvanized Garden Beds ($2,250): Fifteen durable, rust-resistant garden beds for planting.
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Picnic Tables ($2,400): Three picnic tables—requested by the science teachers—for students to work outside.
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8 Comfy Chairs ($900): Provide ergonomic, comfortable seating for students and wellness-counseling.
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Plants ($500): Vegetables, herbs, and flower seeds and transplants for the garden beds.
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Shed ($500): Store gardening tools and supplies
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Irrigation ($1,000): Installing a drip irrigation system in all of the beds.
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Laying the Garden Floor ($5000): Professional contractors to put decomposed granite to eliminate grass maintenance and create wheelchair accessibility.
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Renting Equipment ($500): Trailers and grass removal tools rented from Home Depot to work efficiently.
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Garden Coordinator Stipend ($5,000): Yearly stipend for a dedicated coordinator overseeing the garden’s operations, ensuring the program's sustainability.
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Mural Materials ($2,000): Paint, stencils, brushes, and other supplies.
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Signage ($500): Metal sign saying "Oak Ridge Garden Established in 2025" and our sponsors, donors, and partners.
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Garden Tools ($796): Trovels, transplanters, shovels, gloves, rakes, and pruners.
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Materials to Build Compost Bin ($435): Wood, hinges, and wood stain to build an 8’ by 4’ compost.
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Materials for Herb Garden ($120): Wood to build a vertical herb garden for culinary.