Growing an inspired community.
The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab is a public, outdoor growing facility rooted in community engagement, educational and economic opportunity, multigenerational collaboration, cultural and ecological stewardship, and healthy living practices.
We are excited about this opportunity for ALL of our students and all community members. SOIL will blend authentic, meaningful learning with a focus on sustainability to benefit our community and our world, making an impact for generations to come.
—DR. KAREN CHESER, SUPERINTENDENT, DURANGO SCHOOL DISTRICT 9-R
Testimonials
“SOIL will foster support of local partnerships and the very important skills of gardening as well as food production and storage, amongst many other things. It is important that we nurture these historic skills and traditions for a more secure future."
- ROD BARKER, DURANGO BUSINESS OWNER AND 5TH GENERATION DURANGO NATIVE
“What class or activity could not be taught in the garden? The opportunity for students to be outside getting dirt under their fingernails from the hands-on learning experiences; or to see how the natural world actually works – in nature; and to be part in the success of a plant, from start to finish, culminate in harvesting what you grow is tough to replicate inside a classroom."
- DARRIN PARMENTER, EXTENSION CO-REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CSU EXTENSION
