Packing Slip

item	Enhancing the Mesa Community College Community Gardens
contact	Ron Dinchak (Mesa Community College) coates@mail.mc.maricopa.edu
credits	Rudy Mendez (MCC Building and Grounds)
college(s)	Mesa Community College
discipline(s)	Geology, Geography, Biology, Art, Photography, Horticulture, Education
summary	The Life Science and Physical Science Departments at Mesa Community College are gradually developing the Deserts of North America gardens. These gardens are used as outdoor learning laboratories for M.C.C. students and educational activities for the community.
details	What was eeded to make these gardens functional are geological features, plant installation, signage and community networking. The following activities resulted in the Deserts of North America becoming more functional: The following workdays were set up for the gardens: Friday, October 25 and November 22, 2002, Saturdays, November 23 and November 30, 2002. Members from the Master Gardeners of Maricopa County, City of Mesa Water Conservation Department, M.C.C. Life Science and Geography Faculty and M.C.C. students all participated. Activities revolved around the planting of landscape plants. Additionally, 3 other workdays were done during the Fall, 2002. During the Fall semester, 2002, and the Spring semester, 2003, the following numbers of MCC students used these gardens for learning activities, i.e., laboratory experiences. From Geology – 1080 Geography – 480 Biology: BIO 100 – 1200 BIO 181 – 1200 BIO 105 – 500 BIO 110 – 30 There were a total of 4490 students using the Deserts of North America gardens. The community gardens have been used for K-12 outreach. March 26, 2003, science activities with 35 5th grade students from a Glendale elementary school took place. April 15, 2003 was Science Day at M.C.C. Approximately 500 5th graders from area schools participated in learning activities. The Deserts of North America gardens were used for some of these events.e elementary school took place. April 15, 2003 was Science Day at Mesa Community College. Approximately 500 5th graders from area schools participated in learning activities. The Deserts of North America gardens were used for some of these events. The Chihuahuan Desert portion of the garden was completed with the exception of signage installation. The signs were designed, but need to be manufactured and wooden posts purchased and installed. Note: We will need, if possible, an extension for our funding as the signs are to be manufactured in the late summer (August, 2003). The original Sonoran Desert portion of the garden was completed, including new plants and signage. We have an addition to this section (not known at the time of the grant proposal). Large landscape boulders have been purchased and installed in this new Sonoran Desert portion using grant monies. The Mojave Desert region has been designed, but more funds are needed for plants, irrigation, and installation. Networking was done between M.C.C. campus disciplines. Departments using the gardens currently are: Life Science, Geology, Geography, Art and Photography, Horticulture, and Education. Additionally, service learning hours have been awarded for volunteer work on the gardens. Networking has been done between M.C.C. and the City of Mesa Water Conservation Department and the Master Gardeners of Maricopa County. These gardens are still far from completed, although they are limitedly functional. A large number of students currently using the garden is an indication of the value that exists. In the future as these gardens become completed their usage will soar. As they become more self conducting with signage, more and more community activities can take place. The gardens will continually be used for lab experiences in the disciplines listed above. The Mojave Desert region has been designed, but more funds are needed for plants, irrigation, and installation. One major frustration during this grant time was the need to be dependent on other campus individuals, i.e., Building and Grounds. Delays took place because of other needs, i.e., a drainage system (dry well) installed on the Chihuahuan Desert area, breakdown of equipment and priority of time. None of these were the fault of Building and Grounds personnel. Matter of fact, Rudy Mendez and his crew were very helpful during this time. Because of this, we were unable to finish installing signage. I am requesting that the monies left from the grant be made available for us to complete this aspect. Let me know if this is possible. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below.
web links	http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learngrant/ This project was supported by a 2002-2003 Learning Grant
supplements	These items are licensed under a Creative Commons License Learning Grant Report (document) LG-146.pdf (71.1 kB) Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback below.
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extra	Last modified: Jul-29-2003 Date created: Jul-29-2003 Visitor count: 3222 Dublin Core Metadata record This package is included in the Maricopa Learning Grants special collection.