"The Environmental Center is thrilled to award more than $15,000 to 12 schools and youth organizations to support garden-based education and outdoor classroom projects across Central Oregon this year. Funded projects range from launching new school gardens and improving existing garden infrastructure to creative solutions for extending the region’s short growing season.

In addition, the Greater Bend Rotary Club independently funded one submitted project. The club will support Bend International School with a $2,500 contribution along with volunteer support to help bring the project to life. “Being able to support kids of all ages with hands-on science experience that gets extended to other areas like economics, planning, and leadership opportunities is really rewarding,” said Rebecca Kauffman, Director of Environmental & Sustainability for the Greater Bend Rotary Club. “The Environmental Center has done a great job building a strong program and garden network across Central Oregon. We have really enjoyed working with the dedicated staff and parents that do the heavy lifting as well as seeing the level of student engagement.” Recipient schools and organizations will collectively serve more than 1,500 youth through garden-based learning projects across three school districts in Central Oregon, as well as early childhood education programs in La Pine, Redmond, Terrebonne, and Powell Butte..."