One hundred incoming students and faculty members in University at Buffalo Undergraduate Academies have signed up for a Buffalo initiation like no other. For the fourth year in a row, UB has partnered with Grassroots Gardens in order to create a symbiotic relationship between the university and Buffalo’s community gardens.
On one had the faculty and students get a chance to learn about these important grassroots efforts that are helping to strengthen our neighborhoods, while at the same time the communities benefit greatly from the helpful hands. Most importantly, this is a great way to offer the UB emissaries a chance to learn about their host city – something that opens their eyes to the city and provides a sense of place for the students before embarking upon their careers.
The Early Move-In Program takes place on Wednesday, August 20, from 1:30-3:30 pm. Following is a list of the urban gardens that will benefit:
Art Space Community Garden, 1070 Ellicott St.
Pelion Community Garden, 206 Best St.
Barakah Community Garden, 384 Sweet St.
Cambridge Avenue Community Garden, 249 Cambridge Ave.
Cottage District Community Garden, 60 York St.
Black Rock Heritage Garden, 269 Dearborn St.
Riverside Peace Garden, 179 Ontario St.
Marine Drive Apartments Community Garden, 147 Marine Dr.
“Our gardeners love how hard working the Academies students are and how they actually care about the work they’re doing in the neighborhoods,” says Derek Nichols, Grassroots Gardens program manager and former Academies graduate assistant. “From just working with the Academies, I know the program builds future leaders.”
“It’s all a blend,” says Hadar Borden, Undergraduate Academies administrative director. “Whether we’re in the community or the classroom, we’re trying to connect activities for the students so they’re learning about sustainability efforts in classes and they’re actually doing it.”
Photo: UB Green – Students in the Undergraduate Academies spend a day in the community, completing community service projects with Grassroots Gardens and taking a tour of the Massachusetts Avenue Project farm