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Outdoor Learning Center

Sep 18
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New Little Free Library now open at Lafayette Community Garden

By News & Events, Outdoor Learning Center

Little Free Library #18575 officially opened on Saturday, September 13 at the Lafayette Community Garden located at 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

With the motto “Take a Book, Return a Book, the Little Free Library’s mission is to promote literacy and love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide. Books of all kinds, appealing to all ages, are welcomed. The members of the garden have initially stocked the LFL with their favorites, but other patrons are encouraged to borrow and to bring books to add to the collection.

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The Little Free Library is considered a gift to the community. The books are labeled or stamped “Always a gift, never for sale,” to reinforce the idea that these books should circulate freely within the community.

The Little Free Library is a movement started by Todd Bol and Rick Brooks in Wisconsin in 2010 and it has grown to include LFLs in most states and dozens of countries. More information can be found at the Little Free Library site.

The library is located beside the entry gate to the garden. It can be accessed from the street through the pedestrian gate to the left of the vehicular entryway.

Contact: Jeanie Hill
jeanie.calnini@gmail.com
(479) 841-9555

Sep 08
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Have a “CAN”-DO Attitude

By Community Events, Locavore, Organic, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability, Winter Vegies

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Penny Porter of All in a Jar will be at the garden on Sunday, September 21 from 3:30 to 5:00PM to share her knowledge of food preservation at home. Have fun learning the basics on water bath canning for high-acid foods. We will discuss the best foods for this process, the tools you need and the do’s and don’ts.

There are many tricks and techniques that make canning a unique process for extending the life of your favorite foods. Most importantly, this class will provide quintessential knowledge and skills for how to begin canning in your own home.

Join Penny Porter for some Canning Basics.

Jul 28
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A Lamorinda Camp Exclusive: Meeting Nature Through Miwok Eyes

By Community Events, History, Kids, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability

Still looking for the perfect camp? Want to learn a little about the local history of Lamorinda? Then come and join us at the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center and immerse yourself into the abundant world of nature as experienced by the local Native American Tribe, the Saclans/Miwoks.

We will meet daily August 4 to 8, from 8:30 to 11:30am. Youth and open-hearted adults will live as tribal members adopting Native American names and cultural observances. We will use what nature has provided for tools, meals, clothing and shelter. The last morning will conclude with a tribal sharing of food and ceremony with guests.

Educator, Peggy Magilen, will lead this experience, assisted by other members of the Community Garden.

The camp is geared for children ages 8 to 12 years old.
A minimum of 6/maximum of 12 youth participants; a few additional (adult) caregivers welcome.
Cost: $50 per camper to cover materials.

Register today.

Jul 15
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Best Deals in Town! Class and Plant Bargains

By Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability

Come by Wednesday from 2:00 until 6:00PM and Thursday from 9:00AM until noon to adopt a plant for your personal garden. We have tomatoes, cucumbers and various herbs at the table near the entrance for you to nurture. While you are here, feel free to stroll around and see how the former parking lot has transformed. To us, its a sanctuary. See what it can be for you.

If you have kids 10 and under, there are still three classes left in Our Secret Garden II series. Classes are from 9:00 until 10:00AM on the following days:

  • Thursday, July 17: Garden Math
  • Monday, July 21: The Worms Crawl In, The Worms Crawl Out
  • Thursday, July 24: Super Powers!

And at the low price of FREE, these are the best deals in Lafayette!

Jul 09
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Be amazed! Sat., July 12 – 3:30 to 5:00 PM

By Blog, News & Events, Outdoor Learning Center, Wildlife

Doc Jim Hale, wildlife biologist, naturalist and ethnobiologist will bring alive the amazing natural history of the Lamorinda area. Learn what plants thrived here and how they were used by local Native Americans. Find out what animals visit our area while we sleep at night. Doc Hale is an expert on wild, edible plants, the medicinal and cultural use of herbs, and mountain lion ecology in Contra Costa County. Doc’s photos and stories will delight people of all ages. Want proof? Check out this photo from Briones taken on June 19th. Register here.
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Jun 29
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Ssshhh…Our Secret Garden II begins Monday, June 30

By Community Events, Gardening Tips, Kids, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability, Volunteer

Hey kids! The Lafayette Community Garden will be hosting its second Our Secret Garden series.

Beginning June 30, Eli Chan will offer children a chance to get personal about ecology. On Monday and Thursday mornings from 9am to 10am, kids (and their caregivers) will head outside and connect with nature through stories, physical activity and garden-related crafts. They will be armed with the tools to make good food and lifestyle choices. Caregivers will learn how to nurture our next generation to be enthusiastic about their bodies, the environment and our community.

Together, we will become caring human beings who are part of an interconnected natural world. Join us in the garden and get ready to dig deeper than before!

Sign up now to become a first-class community leader.

Jun 25
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Lafayette Library and LCG Presents: It’s a Bug’s World! This Saturday at Noon

By Community Events, Kids, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Organic, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability

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Calling all kids! Bring your parents on Saturday, June 28 from noon until 1:00pm for a hunt for hidden bugs at the Lafayette Community Garden! How many can you “spot”?

Join the Lafayette Children’s librarians a few buggy stories and learn what insects can do for and to our gardens. We will explore the world of bugs, their homes and preferred foods. Here’s your chance to dig in dirt, collect insects, inspect them, and release friendly ladybugs to help keep those pesky aphids under control.

Go ahead! Ask your parents to register you for this exciting opportunity.

Jun 09
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SCHOOL’S OUT: Join us for some summer reading fun June 16–20

By Kids, Outdoor Learning Center

Bring a brown bag lunch and come to the MUNCH-A-LUNCH READ ALOUD under the oak trees at the Lafayette Community Garden.

During this relaxed hour, we will embark on a journey to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. From 12:15–1:30PM Monday through Friday, Lynn De Jonghe will be reading Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson. This Newbury Award winning classic asks what will happen to the animals of a country hillside when new folks move into the abandoned house nearby. Will they be hunters? Gardeners? Will they be willing to share their food?

This FREE event for all ages of young at heart will feature homemade cookies and afternoon sun tea. (Children ages 5 to 11 should be accompanied by an adult, but readers of all ages are welcome.)

Register here.

Jun 01
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Saturday, June 7: Composting 101

By Gardening Tips, Organic, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability

Ever wondered how you could improve your soil? If you have, you can learn how to cook up a batch of homemade compost on your own.

On June 7  from 1:00 to 2:30PM, Contra Costa County Waste Authority presents Composting 101 at the Lafayette Community Garden.

Linda Mizes returns to the garden to share her expertise on home composting. Learn how easy it is to enrich your soil and reduce your waste while letting nature do the work. You’ll leave with all the information you need to start a simple home composting system, as well as how to use the compost in your garden. Methods of simple vermiculture (worm composting) will also be covered and you’ll learn ways to use worm castings and tea.

This workshop is FREE to adults (ages 18 and older/families welcome), but reservation is required! For questions or to register by phone, call (925) 906-1801 x306. To register online, visit www.wastediversion.org.

Apr 15
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Take Time for Afternoon Tea on Saturday, April 26

By Gardening Tips, Outdoor Learning Center

Join Hollie Lucas-Alcalay of Hollie’s Homegrown at the Lafayette Community Garden on April 26 for an afternoon of tea. The owner of Hollie’s Homegrown in Moraga has made her own herb farm into a thriving business and will share with us her expertise and passion for herbs. From 1:00pm to 4:00pm, you, too, can learn how to grow, harvest, store and make teas using what is growing in your own garden.

garden3 Flyer Version (3)Sample and savor herbal teas made from local herbs and take home a sampling 4-pack of seedlings to help you get started.

Growing Herbs For Teas is a special fundraising event and $40 donation/materials fee is requested. So, gather your friends, dress up or down, but, most of all, come and enjoy tea (and biscuits) fresh from the Lafayette Community Garden.

Click here to register.