Local eagle scouts make lasting garden improvements at schools

Jana Rossi

Staff writer

Looking to improve Lake Forest Elementary School’s garden space, in 2021 Gina Johnston, the school’s garden coordinator, applied for two grants through the El Dorado Community Foundation. The grants would help her purchase more expensive items such as greenhouses and hydroponic units.

After submitting a video outlining why Lake Forest would be a good candidate to receive the grants, the foundation asked if she would entertain a partnership and roll out her garden program throughout the Rescue Union School District. Project Green Community was born.

The work Project Green Community does is two-fold. In addition to teaching kids basic gardening and horticulture skills, the garden area itself has become a special place where kids spend their time. It has given many students a sanctuary of sorts, where everyone belongs.

Last year local Eagle Scout prospectives from Troop 645 approached Johnston, who now serves as Project Green’s executive board chairperson, to see where they could offer their skills to make marked improvements at several schools within the district, where the Scouts themselves had once attended — making the project even more personal.

Scout Elliot Porter decided to focus on good hygiene at Lake Forest. “My Eagle Scout projects goal was to provide a hand-washing station for the kids after they finished their garden time,” he shared. “It felt great to know that I could provide a useful tool for the school, as well as reuse the recycled water to water the ground plants. Gina Johnston and Lake Forest Elementary were extremely gracious of the time and effort I put into reworking the garden area and making a convenient place for the kids to sanitize their hands before returning to class.”

Other Lake Forest improvements made by Scouts Owen Porter, Reed Datwyler and Austin Norris include repaired garden beds, the addition of an arbor and pathway to the garden and new fencing and gates.

“It’s a win-win as these projects make lasting and significant improvements to our gardens, saving us thousands of dollars and bringing value to our schools and communities — all while fulfilling their Eagle Scout requirements,” Lauren Shoda Oneto, communications chairperson on Project Green’s executive board told the Mountain Democrat.

Marina Village Middle School also benefited when Eagle Scouts Nicholas Gygax and Shyam Das pitched in. Nicholas added deer-proof fencing, water trough garden beds and made pathway repairs while Shyam repaired ground mosaics. Matthew Drahmann added split rail fencing, improved landscaping and expanded the parking area.

At Green Valley Elementary School Scouts Nick Wolf and Evan Ikemoto installed deer fencing and added plants, a shade structure and gravel containment.

Jackson Elementary School is next to receive some garden love.