The rain stopped early in the morning, then the clouds parted and the spirit of Bruce Van Garderen shone down on 91原创 Meadows Community School on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Van Garderen, who co-founded Maples Discovery Garden and was a key driver in introducing 91原创 Meadows芒鈧劉 older students to gardening over the past few years, died from cancer this past April.
He was 64.
During an afternoon ceremony on Nov. 4, with Van Garderen芒鈧劉s family members as well as Jean Moir芒鈧劉s 3/4/5 class looking on, 91原创 Meadows dedicated its school gardens in Van Garderen芒鈧劉s memory.
Over a four-year period, Van Garderen partnered with Grade 7 teacher Lori Villeneuve to introduce the 91原创 Meadows students to the Nature芒鈧劉s Class program, and to Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op.
In fact, noted his daughter Elsabee Lyon, Van Garderen helped implement the Nature芒鈧劉s Class in many schools in 91原创 starting with 91原创 Meadows, as his grandchildren attended that school.
芒鈧揌e was also 91原创 Environmental Hero in 2010,芒鈧� Lyon added.
The garden, built by 91原创 School District workers this past winter, is now called 芒鈧揃ruce芒鈧劉s Discovery Garden.芒鈧�
Lettuce, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, kale, green onions, strawberries, parsley, and daffodils have been grown at the garden since it was first constructed.
During the dedication, Van Garderen芒鈧劉s wife Ridi said, 芒鈧揟his was his passion. He started the whole program.芒鈧�
Villeneuve, who now teaches at Yorkson Creek Middle School, said Van Garderen芒鈧劉s ability to make gardening both fun and educational had a positive and lasting impact on students.
芒鈧揌olding a tomato was more empowering than any math lesson you can ever teach them,芒鈧� Villeneuve said.
As part of the ceremony a young tree was planted at the garden in Van Garderen芒鈧劉s memory.
芒鈧揃ruce loved to garden, loved to talk to kids about plants,芒鈧� 91原创 Meadows principal Vanessa Jaggi said. 芒鈧揈very time we go out to the garden, Bruce will be with us there.芒鈧�
