Two students pick flowers in a school garden. (Courtesy photo)
The funding helped provide environmental education to some 11,000 students. (Courtesy photo)

More children got their hands in the soil, spent time outside, and learned how to garden in the Explore Ecology School Gardens Program, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation through the Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant Program.

The grant supports the nonprofit’s School Garden Outdoor Classrooms for the 2025-26 school year.

The funding helped Explore Ecology provide hands-on environmental education to more than 11,000 elementary and junior high school students in 38 biodiverse gardens throughout Santa Barbara County.

Students enjoyed weekly garden lessons with Explore Ecology Educators, where they learned about sustainable agriculture and ecosystem health, not from a textbook, but from the soil up. Class topics included studying plants and pollinators, saving seeds, and vermicomposting.

A highlight for many students was sampling new fruits, vegetables, and edible flowers straight from the garden.

“When a student harvests a carrot they planted from seed and connects it to what they’re learning in science class, that’s a moment that stays with them,” said Lindsay Johnson, executive director of Explore Ecology.

“The Santa Barbara Foundation grant enabled more students to experience the rewarding feeling of tending a garden and caring for nature during the school day. We are extremely grateful,” Johnson said.

Research shows that garden-based learning can deepen STEM engagement and foster connections to nature that inspire lifelong environmental stewardship, Explore Ecology reports.

Of the schools served, more than half are Title I schools, ensuring that access to meaningful nature-based education reaches students who need it most.

Explore Ecology connects children with nature through immersive educational programs across Santa Barbara County. To learn more, visit ExploreEcology.org.

Through its Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant Program, the Santa Barbara Foundation supports community-led efforts to increase environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health across Santa Barbara County. Learn more at SBFoundation.org.