Fieldston’s Environmental Club is a very active organization on our campus. From holding assemblies to planning fundraisers to executing concrete projects, it’s done a lot for our community. But many people don’t know that we actually have two nature-focused clubs. While they often work together, a separate Gardening Club does a lot to keep the campus green.
Founded in 2022 by now-seniors Sophia Nathanson, Miranda Gluck and Ruby Davies, and mentored by Mr. Waldman, they’ve been doing great work. In an interview, Miranda commented that she appreciated the ability to give back to the Fieldston community and campus, and that she loved the “opportunity to get outside and dirty in what still feels like a very urban environment.” The Gardening Club is really the best of both worlds for its members – they get to spend more time outdoors, in nature, as well as being a part of concretely visible action around campus.
The first initiative I’d like to highlight is their composting program, started and maintained with the help of Mr. Waldman, Fieldston’s “Green Dean” and the club’s faculty advisor. While the setup isn’t yet suitable for post-consumer compost – that is, leftovers from students’ meals can’t be used – there is still a large amount of pre-consumer material. Peels and rinds are common, or even the occasional rotten melon. Leaves are added on top, gathered from around campus in the fall and lasting the whole year, and the cycle repeats as the pile grows larger. As the compost approaches turning to mulch, it is put to work.
This is where the Gardening Club’s second main contribution (and their namesake) comes in. They work to plant flowers behind the Gym and in the outdoor classroom. It’s been wonderful setting up and building new gardening beds over the last few years, and we’re looking forward to planting new plants in them on community day and to those plants doing well in the years to come. The flowers you see there, and scattered elsewhere around campus, are primarily thanks to the Gardening Club. The club leaders have ensured that they plant native species to contribute to local ecosystems and use compost to help nurture the plants as they grow.
Although they may often be overshadowed by the Environmental Club, the Gardening Club is a great part of our school. If this article has inspired you to get involved, there’s a wonderful opportunity coming up during Community Day: the Gardening Club will be planting native flowers and attracting wildlife all around Fieldston! Or come to Room 403 during activities to learn more about how you can get involved with the Gardening Club.
