Results of Nebraska Statewide Arboretum ‘Every School a Garden' Survey

In October 2006 the School Garden Survey was sent to 1,110 principles in Nebraska in an effort to gather information about how the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum could support nature education and plant literacy, specifically in the area of school gardens in Nebraska . This was a non-scientific survey. 114 responses were received by web and mail.

A. DEMOGRAPHICS
64 Rural schools
69 Elementary *
30 Suburban schools
25 Middle School or Junior High*
23 Urban schools
34 High Schools*
4 Private or other
* some schools serve multiple grade levels and may be listed more than once.

B. PLANT- BASED EDUCATION
Definition of a school garden or outdoor classroom: “A teaching and learning setting outside of the school building that is used as a learning environment.”

Does your school have a school garden?
38 answered YES; 76 answered NO
66% of respondents do not have a school garden, however all of these respondents reported some access to green space, usually in the form of a school yard or ball fields.

76% had not heard the term “plant-based education” before.

57% were familiar with the benefits of contact with nature in childhood development; 38% of these respondents reported that their students rarely or never had guided interactions with the natural world and were very interested in developing a school garden.  

49% of respondents who were unfamiliar with the “contact with nature” concept reported that their students rarely or never had guided interactions with the natural world.

85% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that students should experience daily, guided interactions with the natural world.

C. RESPONDENTS THAT HAVE SCHOOL GARDENS:

61% of respondents who had school gardens reported never or rarely using it. Respondents cited inadequate teacher knowledge of how to incorporate plant education into curriculum; meeting educational standards; and challenges such as funding, maintenance capabilities and educational resources as the top reasons school gardens were not used.

75% of respondents who had school gardens and whose students have daily, weekly, or monthly guided interactions with the natural world, reported seeing less absenteeism, increased cooperation among students, increased attention spans and decreased behavioral disruptions. Respondents that reported not seeing a difference in behaviors usually had students who rarely or never had guided interactions with the natural world.

When asked “In what areas of the curriculum is your garden utilized?” 29 responded science; 14 art; 8 reading. Few used the garden for math or social studies.

D. RESPONDENTS WITHOUT SCHOOL GARDENS

53 respondents were interested in creating and utilizing a school garden. 23 were not interested.

When asked “Which of the following challenges have prevented creating a school garden?' respondents listed the challenge of getting a garden started (50); maintenance capabilities (50); funding challenges (49); and limited knowledge of creating programs (45) as the top reasons. Safety concerns, lack of administrative support, lack of space or other challenges were minor concerns.

FUNDING and EDUCATOR SUPPORT

85% of respondents would take advantage of funding opportunities to increase plant-based education at their schools.

79% of respondents think funding opportunities are critical for increasing plant-based education in Nebraska .

There was a high interest shown in educator support:

63 respondents are interested in knowing more about creating or using an outdoor classroom

21 respondents are interested in participating in a list serve for educators

44 respondents are interested in workshops geared for educators in creating a school garden

43 respondents are interested in workshops geared for educators on incorporating plant-based education across the curriculum.

42 respondents are interested in in-school field trips led by non-formal nature educators

Questions? Contact Christina Hoyt or Sue Kohles