Professor Dilafruz Williams, from the University of Portland, Oregon, U.S.A visited Wairakei School to see our edible garden and 'Enviro Ed' programme.

On Thursday 25 October it was an honour to be able to welcome Professor Dilafruz Williams to our school. 

Dr. Williams has worked largely with Portland (Oregon) schools over the last few decades. She is a botanist/teacher educator and co-founder of the ‘Learning Gardens’ movement. A widely respected US Environmental (PBE) Education researcher, Dilafruz has also done some interesting collaborative work with Native American/Indigenous scholars communities.

It was wonderful to be able to share with her some aspects of our Enviro Ed programme and for some of the students to be able to proudly show her our own garden, hens and to share aspects of the Enviro Ed programme. The students were wonderful hosts and were interested to hear a leading academic speak to them about the current world-wide movement of gardens in schools.