Memphis Catholic Learning Garden

Memphis Catholic Middle and High School (MCMHS), in partnership with Come Alive Outside, The Kitchen Community and Michael Hatcher and Associates, wants to install Phase Two of the Learning Garden designed by MCMHS student in collaboration with landscape architecture students from Auburn University, Hinds Community College, Louisiana University and Mississippi State University. 

As part of the Come Alive Outside Design Challenge, students from these four colleges and universities traveled to MCMHS in October of 2015 to work closely with the teachers and students to develop initial design concepts during a two-day event.  The college students then developed these concepts into final Design Proposals, and in November, the Mississippi State Design was selected by the students and teachers at MCMHS, as well as a panel of professional judges. 

The Kitchen Community and Michael Hatcher and Associates installed a central garden with raised beds for growing fruit and vegetables as Phase One of the Learning Garden in December.  We are currently raising money to install Phase Two of the design, which includes the creation of a native wildlife habitat, and the installation of fruit trees, perrenial flowers, pathways and additional seating areas around the perimeter of the space. 

The money being raised through this campaign will be added to funds already raised by Memphis Catholic in order to cover the overall budget of $15,000 for the installation of Phase Two.  Construction of this space is also possible because of in-kind donations from Michael Hatcher and Associates, as well as Site One Lanscape Supply.  Any funds raised over the our goal will go towards construction of a rain garden and garden cathedral structure proposed as Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the master plan. 

March 1st- 23rd: Conduct fundraising campaign to raise $5,000 for Phase Two.

April 4th-8th : Site preparation and excavation by professional landscape contractor, including excavating paths, digging holes for trees and preparing planting areas.

April 10^th: Community Planting Day:  Students, teachers, and volunteers from the local community will participate in planting and building out the garden.  Leaders from The Kitchen Community, Come Alive Outside, Michael Hatcher and Associates and the Urban Art Commission will be on hand to lead volunteer planting of vegetable beds, tree plantings, planting of native wildlife habitat, muclhing and the painting of a mural on the large wall facing the gardens.  All are welcome to come out, get your hands dirty and help us bring the garden to life!

Nature is essential to our health and happiness.  From our physical health, to positive impacts on learning, mental health and stress levels, the proven benefits of spending time in nature are profound.

The challenge that the landscape professionals, college and high school students addressed when collaborating on this project was how to design nature back into our urban lives and transform an unused outdoor space into a place that would draw people outside and help them connect with the natural world.

From understanding where our food comes from to appreciating the importance of protecting and creating habitat for wildlife in urban areas, the Memphis Catholic Learning Garden is a model for how schoolyards can reconnect communities with the planet that we live on.