Over the last three years, Denver Chapter members transformed a large, unused grassy area into a place where they can learn landscape skills by doing them. Volunteers installed 7 raised vegetable gardens, a fruit orchard, practice areas for irrigation and hardscape skills and the base for their chicken coop. Work on April 20 involved planting more shrubs and perennials, installing a Siloam Stone stairway and open-air classroom, and completing the pathway system that connects all the outdoor learning areas.

Though this area is behind the school, a pathway next to the veggie gardens brings walkers and joggers onto the school grounds daily.  Says Courtney Mayo, GHHS teacher, “The neighbors love seeing what our students are doing, and there is a lot of interest in the outdoor lab because they can see students showcase their skills and what they’ve learned.”

ALCC’s Landscape Career Pathways Program, in a coordinated effort with Colorado Community College System, creates partnerships with high schools throughout the state to expose students to the variety of industry employment opportunities and helps them learn skills so they are prepared to begin careers right out of high school.

Companies providing volunteers, materials and equipment to the 20018 Day of Service project included:

• Alameda Wholesale Nursery
• Arbor Valley Nursery
• Arrowhead Landscape Services, Inc.
• BrightView Landscape Development
• Colorado Materials, Inc.
• CPS Distributors, Inc.
• Designscapes Colorado
• Diggable Designs Landscape Construction, LLC
• Donald H Godi & Associates
• GARDENZ
• High Country Landscapes
• Little Valley Wholesale Nursery
• Metco Landscape, Inc.
• Singing Hills Landscape, Inc.
• SiteOne Landscape Supply
• Terracare Associates
• The L. L. Johnson Distributing Co.
• UpBeet Landscapes, LLC
• Welby Gardens