Students dig in dirt for knowledge

DENVER - Fifth grader Edwin Ramirez doesn't always like to learn in the classroom. That's why he and his classmates are out digging up the school grounds at Munroe Elementary to make way for a new vegetable garden.

"I never done this before and I feel like I want to help the environment," Ramirez said.

The new garden is part the expansion of a project called Learning Landscapes. The University of Colorado Denver started this program to help children in urban settings learn more about the environment while also promoting exercise.

"This is a way for us to continually keep the students engaged, keep the community engaged, trying to create a new kind of stewardship," said Lois Brink, UC Denver professor of landscape architecture and executive director of Learning Landscapes.

Learning Landscapes has built new playgrounds, gardens, and butterfly habitats at 48 elementary schools in Denver. Graduate students with UC Denver have designed and help build on the grounds replacing what often times was an eyesore.

"It was just blacktop and peat gravel," said Jody Cohn, principal at Munroe Elementary. "Now, what we have is a place where the community can really utilize the playground on the weekends."

Starting in 1998, Learning Landscapes have been constructed at 48 schools in Denver. In November, voters passed a $454 million bond issue for construction. Part of that bond, $29 million, will be used to build Learning Landscapes at 37 more schools by 2012.

"Every school should have this cause they actually need to be healthy and take good care of and have more fun at school," Ramirez said.

Learning Landscapes was just recognized nationally by group called Partners for Livable Communities. The program won the "Entrepreneurial American Community Award" for how it involves everyone on the neighborhoods.

"It really helps us get the idea across that these are very important spaces," Brink said.

Cohn says the effort will get children interested in vegetables while also increasing their physical activity through gardening and the new playground equipment.

"It's vital that children have a safe place to play and to get exercise," Cohn said.

Ramirez says it will be a chance for him to learn skills of a lifetime.

"You learn how to do things all by yourself," Ramirez said.