Ideas for Deer Fences

In preparation for the installation of our garden, and the deer that share the campus with us, the Sustainability committee has been exploring possible fences. Here are a few of the possibilities... What do you think? Keep the ideas coming.

What other schools are doing

University of Washington, Tacoma garden video

UW, Tacoma helps with the local mission and donates the vegables and friuts they grow in the garden. The school has students who voluteer their time to help with the garden. The garden is located about 4 blocks away from the campus. Students who work in the garden usually work about 4-5 times a week.


Ohio State, ( Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens )

Ohio State's leanring gardens rely on volunteer support for all of their day to day opperations, and is specifically used by Landscaping and Horticultural classes. Part funded by the college, part funded by local businesses, private donors, plant sales, and membership fees (an option which allows subscribers invitations to private events, discounts on plant sales, etc...) The gardens and Arboretum are integrated into the campus landscape itself to be enjoyed by all, not just the volunteers.


Penn State, (Cooperative Extension in Montgomery County)

Supported by volunteers and local business, the gardens include a butterfly, water, rock, turf management, groundcover, perennial and annual, and universally accessible gardens for students and the community at large.


Colorado State University, (The Ute Ethnobotany Learning Garden Project)

The Ute Ethnobotany Learning Gardens, are supported by the U.S. Dept. of Interior Bureau of Land Management, Dept. of U.S. Forest Service, Mesa State College, Colorado State University Extension and Colorado Master Gardener Program, and Nothern Ute Indian Nation, the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, students and volunteers. Though still in its infancy and construction stages, the project plans to teach living and eating from a xeric landscape, traditional Native American gardening skills, Ute structures and miniature plant communities, as well as provide an adaptable vegetable garden for people with limited mobility and/or living space.


Portland State University, (Learning Gardens Labratory)

Supported by Portland University, Portland Public Schools, Portland Parks & Rec., OR State Extension Service, and volunteers, the Portland Learning gardens provide classes not just to their local campus, but to surrounding schools and students of all grades and skill levels including: Ecology, Cultures and Learning Program, Environmental Education, Grant Writing for the Environment, Sustainable Food Systems, and Learning Gardens and Civic Affairs.

Proposed Garden Location

What do you think of this location?

Sustainability, health and environmental protection have been some of the most important topics in our country and in the world today. The White House recently started a garden on its own lawn, sending a message to the American public about the value of fresh, organic and locally grown produce. Michelle Obama acknowledged that one of the primary goals of the presidential garden is to educate America’s youth about the importance of healthy food. In urban centers, there is a growing green movement of building and cultivating community gardens. More recently, our neighboring cities such as Seattle and Portland have started urban harvesting programs that organize volunteers to harvest and maintain neighborhood fruit trees, donating the resulting bounty to soup kitchens and food banks.

Schools and universities are also recognizing the educational potential of gardens. This year, University of Washington, Tacoma started a garden on their urban campus. The Evergreen State College has long had an organic garden that is operated by students. Yale University students started a farm in 2003. These are just a few examples of schools harnessing the power of gardens to teach, create community and to contribute to positive social change.

Saint Martin’s University is a perfect setting for an educational garden. We are situated in a beautiful oasis of green, with plenty of sunny patches to nourish vegetables, herbs and flowers. A number of SMU faculty have expressed interest in having a campus garden and in using it in their teaching. The garden is also an excellent fit with the Benedictine philosophy of environmental stewardship, community and labor. And for students, imagine walking from your dorm to the garden to pick dome fresh strawberries for breakfast.

Vanpool: Yelm to Lacey

Want to stay Green? Looking for a way to save some cash on gas?

We want to start up a vanpool from Yelm to Lacey and need at least 3 other riders!
The route should support a 7:00AM-4:00PM work schedule.

Vanpools are assigned to approved groups and are driven by trained drivers who share the commute trip. The transit companies own, maintain, manage, insure, and lisence the fleet. That way you save money on gas, insurance, and maintenance on your own car.

Some agencies and employers sponsor incentives ($$$) for those that rideshare. You also are guaranteed a free ride home for emergencies. Besides you can use your commite time to read, snooze, work from your laptop, or just enjoy the view!

The average vanpooler saves more than $5,000 per year.

If you are interested in sharing the ride from Yelm to Lacey or need more information, please contact;

Denia Taylor
(360) 725-2578

Vanpool: Yelm to Olympia

Want to stay green? Looking for a way to save some cash on gas?

We want to start up a vanpool from Yelm to Olympia and need at least 3 other riders!
The route should support a 7:30AM-4:00PM work schedule.

Vanpools are assigned to approved groups and are driven by trained drivers who share the commute trip. The transit companies own, maintain, manage, insure and lisence the fleet. That way you save money on gas, insurance, and maintenance on your own car.

Some agencies and employers sponsor incentives ($$$) for those that rideshare. You are also gauranteed a free ride home for emergencies. Besides you can use your commute time to read, snooze, and work from your laptop, or just enjoy the view!

The average vanpooler saves more than $5,000 per year.

If you are interested in sharing the ride from Yelm to Olympia or need more information, please contact:

Helen Sick
(360) 664-5594

Chuck Osborn
(360) 664-5593