My Nonprofit Reviews

The Washington Youth Garden is a national treasure and belongs on your list. I have been working with them in a variety of capacities for over 10 years - as a volunteer, a donor, and Board member and Chair of the Friends of the National Arboretum, of which the WYG is a program. I have participated in Elementary school field trips in the garden, and watched the superb young staff awaken their interest in the art and science of growing plants, harvesting their bounty, and making and enjoying food fresh from the garden. The wonder of a city child coming face to face with these experiences is a powerful foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating and environmental stewardship, amply supported by the the fun and adventure created by the staff as well as the gorgeous open environment of the National Arboretum. This has grown in this past year to include a teacher summer enrichment program to support year round learning about gardening, food and the natural world. I have interviewed high school students from inner city schools eager to participate in the WYG green ambassador intern program and participated with garden staff in evaluations leading to s program has grown from summer only to school year after school, including water sampling of a major stream restoration project, designed to monitor and measure water quality improvement. All of these programs are models of how much can can be achieved through thoughtful, careful, well planned and executed strategies married with highly focused enthusiasm. The WYG is a great nonprofit by any standard.