When reviewing the applications, the committee looked for interest in perennials, of course, but also: a clear, well-defined, reasonable proposal, with specific plant lists and well-researched budgets; potential for good public access and garden education (not merely "nice landscaping"); innovative ideas and solutions to problems; geographic distribution; and indications that the applicant had sought support elsewhere, if possible.

Beavercreek Elementary School/Transition Room
Awarded: $175.00
Project: Expanding/improving the mixed border gardens created by special-needs students at Beavercreek School. Money to be used for plants, soaker hoses and tools.

The garden is an effective curriculum/therapeutic tool in this program; the TR students attend the program in the summer, when the garden serves an even more important role. As a teacher wrote, developing the gardens is a terrific way "to include special-needs children in the mainstream and develop their sense of importance, expertise, and ability to contribute positively; to connect classroom lessons to garden planning, maintenance, and enjoyment; and to present something beautiful to the community at large...."

Brush College Elementary School
Awarded: $200.00
Project: Outdoor science study site, a wetland area planted and maintained by students. Funds will buy a variety of native wetland plants.

Excellent curriculum development to use the habitat in many ways. Teachers demonstrate much experience and enthusiasm for project. School has effectively found plant and material donations, involving parents, and developed a solid project budget.

Corvallis High School
Awarded: $375.00
Project: Raised beds and greenhouse renovation for several garden projects, including plantings for on-campus urban stream, and an organic vegetable garden.

Active student involvement; innovative garden program; excellent work in seeking help from a variety of sources, such as the Meyer Memorial Fund Teacher Team Grant.

Kelly Elementary School
Awarded: $150.00
Project: Restoring a student-built butterfly garden that has been certified as a schoolyard habitat by the National Wildlife Foundation. The garden program was in full swing when it was accidently destroyed by a school construction crew. Funding will go for soil amendments and plant replacements/improvements.

An active, established program; good curriculum already established; on-going summer activities planned.

Lenox Elementary School
Awarded: $100.00
Project: A "Peaceful Sanctuary" adjacent to the school playground, to be researched and planted by students. Funding for plants.

Teachers and students have gotten training in creating wildlife habitat. Student involvement is high; garden project is in response to housing development adjacent to school which destroyed wildlife habitat.

Lewis School Outdoor Center
Awarded: $350.00
Project: Improvements to the existing outdoor center, a space extensively used by school for a variety of classes. School has a garden club which meets twice a week after school. Funding for plants, seed starter bed, tools.

School has applied for a $6000 grant from the Eisenhower Fund, which it will receive IF it can raise an additional $3000. The school will hire an environmental educator (with Eisenhower funding) to offer more experienced help (curriculum support and better use of the space). The school is serious about integrating the outdoor center into the life of the school; parents are very much involved with the project (for example, families commit to watering and tending the garden in the summer). School has also received funding from the National Wildlife Federation.

MacDonald Center
Awarded: $450.00
Project: A courtyard garden for the new assisted-living residence being built in Portland's Old Town. The home is for 54 very low income and/or disabled residents of the area. Funding for perennials, tools, garden cart, and books.

This inner-city assisted living residence will be the first of its kind in the country to offer "personal care and routine nursing services to very low income people who have lived marginalized lives as a result of chronic medical problems, physical disabilities, addictions and mental health disorders." Including an accessible garden in this project will be, we think, crucial to the success of this home.

Design and plant recommendations have been provided by Terezia Hazen, the well-known horticultural therapist at Legacy-Emanuel Hospital. She will continue to advise (gratis) the project managers as the garden is built, and offer program activity training to staff.

Marion County Master Gardeners
Awarded: $250.00
Project: A storage shed to be built and used by adolescent gardeners who create and maintain a garden during an 8-week summer 4-H program.

An excellent, highly public program for a difficult age group, organized by Master Gardeners. Shed is desperately needed on site for tool/supply storage (no other structure on site). A good project for program participants. Well-prepared plan and budget.

Native Plant Garden Coalition, McMinnville Public Library
Awarded: $750.00
Project: Expansion of a native plant garden at library. Funding for signs, native plant books, and brochures.

Very public and accessible garden, great potential as a community resource. Project well-planned; has solicited a lot of public support.

Mt. Hood Community College Horticulture Program
Awarded: $250.00
Project: Establishing an herbaceous perennial demonstration garden and perennial production area for horticulture classes.

Fits HPSO grants criteria: perennials in a public educational setting; project plan well-prepared.

North Marion High School
Awarded: $350.00
Project: An identification display garden of perennials for N. Marion H.S. horticulture classes and FFA (Future Farmers of America) members. Garden plants will also be used for propagation classes. Funding for plants on the Oregon Nursery Landscape Plant Identification List and Floriculture Plant ID List.

The school provides a rare educational opportunity for high school students to learn plant identification/propagation skills. Planting and maintaining this garden will also give them the hands-on experience they need. FFA students can use the garden to prepare for FFA career development events and competitions (sort of a Junior Achievement program for horticulture/agriculture students; they learn many valuable skills through the program, regardless of what their career paths may be).

North Willamette Research Station/OSU
Awarded: $1000.00
Project: A winter garden at the NW Research/Extension Center, with both research and educational components to benefit the general public, the nursery industry and college students. Funding for landscaping materials (mulch, brick, etc.) and signs.

Proposal was meticulously researched and prepared, with an extensive plant list. The project promises to attract much attention; there are few public gardens that highlight this wrongly-neglected season.

OSU Extension Service (Master Gardeners)
Awarded: $400.00
Project: A Master Gardener training program which will teach experienced MGs to help the public diagnose and treat plant pest/disease problems. Funding for handbooks, diagnostic supplies, and miscellaneous program equipment.

A very well-prepared proposal with excellent justification for the program. Increased need to teach the public IPM (Integrated Pest Management) techniques; the Extension Service is one the few sources around for such technical help.

Portland Community Gardens (Friends of)
Awarded: $300.00
Project: Community Garden's Children's Program, a spring-to-fall series of outdoor classes at several community garden sites, reaching over 400 children ages 4-17. Funding for tools, seeds, soil amendments, and other supplies.

An excellent public program with a long history of success; serves many children in disadvantaged areas.

Ronald McDonald House
Awarded: $225.00
Project: A garden for guests in the house, families of hospitalized children. Funding for wheelbarrow and tools.

Organization serves a well-defined purpose; the garden can have great therapeutic value to families under stress. Project planners have worked hard to find community support.

Sauvie Island School
Awarded: $700.00
Project: A native plant wetland habitat, designed and built by students and parent/teachers group. Funding for plants and signs.

This is a follow-up to successful first garden (bird/butterfly habitat). Well-documented plan, a carefully-prepared proposal. Much enthusiasm from parents and teachers. School has earned support from other contributors.

Troutdale Historical Society/Harlow House Museum
Awarded: $400.00
Project: Two gardens adjoining historic house museum: a "turn-of-the-century" garden and a native plant garden. Funding for plants and soil amendments.

Highly public garden with great education potential in an under-represented area (east Multnomah County). Well-prepared proposal; good plant list.

Wilcox Elementary School
Awarded: $200.00
Project: A school woodland garden to replace an unusable blacktop area next to the playground. Funding for trees and perennials.

A great deal of parent/teacher involvement. Students already maintain a community garden in front of the school and collect seeds from the garden, which they sell to raise money for this new project. Much support from the community (the local Marine Corps has volunteered to remove the blacktop!); school has applied for several grants.

Woodland Elementary School
Awarded: $450.00
Project: Wetland habitat "outdoor classroom" in an existing wetland area. Funding for plants and books.

Teachers involved have experience and training as wetland stewards and gardeners, and have a clear set of curriculum goals. This project will build on existing preparation work; school has received a Reynolds Education Foundation grant and will continue to look for community support.

Youngson School
Awarded: $225.00
Project: Expansion of a school organic garden project. Funding for native plants.

Excellent use of the existing garden; it has been incorporated into much of the curriculum and the daily student routine. For example, students collect cafeteria food scraps and add them to the red worm compost bin. The native plant garden will add to an already successful school garden. Active on-going support from SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) and National Gardening Association.

Last modified: July 31, 2006
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