Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/School yards to fruit forests

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Schools often teach children about conservation but then not much is done to put into practise what is taught and schools often lack the skills for making the most out of their land. In addition many children in Africa go to school hungry and yet every school has access to land which is mostly underutilised. The school land is often swept bare creating dust bowls or is used only for ornamental purposes. n many schools in Africa hungry children are made to spend time and energy sweeping school yards and in the process creating deserts out of the very land that is supposed to be used to produce food for them. (Mugove Walter Nyika)

Integrated land use design (ILUD) is an inclusive and participatory process that is used by the SCOPE and ReSCOPE Programmes in east and southern Africa to green the schools and turn the bare school grounds into food forests. In the ILUD process parents, teachers and the students come together and redesign the school environment into a functional landscape that meets the needs of the stakeholders at the school.

They plan, implement and monitor together the establishment of a multi-purpose and edible landscape that is rich in agro-ecological resources such as organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. The implementation of the new designs is done using a low external input approach that is based on creative use of local resources.

• Social
  • Diversity & Cohesion
  • Leadership & Governance
• Ecology
  • Ecosystem Restoration
  • Seeds, Food & Soil
• Culture
  • Nature Connection

• http://seedingschools.org