"If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it."
​- David Sobel

Education

The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is working towards preparing the next generation to not only appreciate our beautiful environment and natural resources, but to also become good future stewards of the land. 

Our "Bay Days", "River Days", and our elementary school garden clubs do just that.

The Chesapeake Bay Day Program invites all fourth grade students in Botetourt County to a local conservation easement property to learn about water quality and watersheds, and how their actions at the headwaters of the James River – a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay – can impact water quality and the livelihoods of many in the Bay.

Thanks to the success of Bay Day, we expanded the program into neighboring watersheds and school districts. Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Floyd County, and Salem City schools now participate in "River Days", where students learn about water quality and watersheds with a focus on the Roanoke and New Rivers.
​
Our “Green Thumbs Garden Clubs” are currently up and running at Grandin Court Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Highland Park Elementary Schools. The goal of these clubs is to show children where our food comes from and to teach them how food goes from seed to plate, while providing outdoor exercise  and education. This club also provides an opportunity to get kids who live in more developed areas to spend time appreciating nature.
“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught”


-Baba Dioum

Education programs are made possible thanks to these grant providers: