Charlie Love, instructional specialist for sustainability at Durango School District 9R and project director at the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab, highlights the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab as a living example of how education and partnerships can plant seeds of long-term impact.
Durango School District 9R, under the leadership of superintendent Karen Cheser, has developed the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab! This program is transforming lives in southwest Colorado, providing abundant garden harvests for students and community members, hands-on student projects, engaging field trips, community workshops, and innovative sustainability initiatives.
In the past year, SOIL has hosted field trips and service projects for nearly 3,000 students (Pre-K through college) and engaged in hands-on activities designed to align with CO state academic standards as well as sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship practices, principles of community, and Durango 9R Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
The district has cultivated an innovative outdoor growing and sustainability education facility rooted in community engagement, educational and economic opportunity, multigenerational collaboration, cultural and ecological stewardship, and healthy living practices for the benefit of all in southwest CO.
After operating the SOIL Community Garden in collaboration with Durango Parks and Recreation since 2023, the district recently completed the construction of Phase 2, the Grow Dome, which allows students to apply lessons about energy and ecosystems to design elements that improve year-round growing capabilities.
The Grow Dome features:
- 1400 square feet of climate-protected growing space
- Students experimenting with innovative technologies
- 4000-gallon fish pond for temperature stabilization
- 350-gallon aquaponic system
- Agrivoltaic demonstration combining solar panels with agriculture
- Year-round field trip and community program opportunities
Construction of Phase 3, the SOIL Hub, is scheduled for 2025 with the goal of bringing people and nature closer together through art, history, science, culture, and special events. This public experiential learning facility will feature:
- Sustainable energy demonstrations
- Cultural heritage gardens
- Interactive earth science exhibits
- An amphitheater...and more!
To learn about other future innovative phases planned for SOIL, please visit www.SoilLab.org.
The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab has been made possible and continuously enhanced through dynamic partnerships with local businesses and organizations. For example, SOIL collaborates with the Mountain Studies Institute (MSI), an independent non-profit mountain research and education center in Silverton, Colorado. MSI plays a vital role in addressing environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains through scientific research, educational opportunities, and environmental monitoring. MSI has collaborated with SOIL to offer field trip activities, such as making native seed “cookies” with district elementary students and creating a Rocky Mountain pollinator nursery to support native plants and pollinators. Thanks to MSI’s shared expertise and resources, these hands-on experiences have enriched students’ understanding of native ecosystems.
“We are excited about this opportunity for ALL of our students and all community members. SOIL will blend authentic, meaningful learning with a focus on sustainability to benefit our community and our world, making an impact for generations to come.” —Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent, Durango School District 9-R
The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab has both Instagram and Facebook accounts. Follow us to stay informed on what’s happening in the garden each week!