Cascade K-8 Community School’s teachers are taking a closer look at how their own school campus can serve as a bridge between classroom learning and environmental stewardship. All teaching staff at Cascade K-8 are engaging in the OSPI Climate Educator Book Club, participating in a school-wide book study of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The book emphasizes the power of local action and the interconnectedness of people and the environment.

One of the school’s most immediate opportunities lies just outside its doors: the once-thriving Ballinger community garden. Left largely untended since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the garden had become overgrown and neglected. That’s now changing.

Led by Dean of Students Nicole Pilla, the school secured a $5,000 Environmental Mini-Grant from the City of Shoreline to breathe new life into the space. The grant will support a range of upgrades, including:

• Removing invasive species like blackberry overgrowth
• Installing a sustainable irrigation system
• Replacing and repairing garden beds
• Planting a variety of crops, including peas, berries, herbs, and vegetables

As they dig in, staff and students have been delighted to discover hidden treasures—onions, herbs, and even strawberries peeking through the weeds. It’s a hands-on learning opportunity that ties directly into Cascade’s identity as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) school.

In addition to the garden revamp, teachers are working to integrate Washington’s environmental learning standards into their curriculum. Proposed projects include creating worm bins, bat and bird boxes, and even a little free pantry to support the surrounding community. There are also plans to compost food waste from school meals and to build outdoor tables, turning the garden into a dynamic learning space for art classes, poetry projects, and restorative circles.

Funding for this environmental project has been provided in part by the City of Shoreline’s Environmental Mini-Grant Program. Support for the garden’s renewal also includes a generous contribution from the school’s PTSA, whose members are also actively involved in planning and rejuvenating the space.

The project is more than just a facelift for the garden—it’s a commitment to environmental education, community connection, and a sustainable future for Cascade K-8 students.