tucson, ariz. — when i first walked past the doors of manzo elementary, i was greeted by a tan woman wearing blue pom pom earrings. blue baldwin, the ecology program coordinator, welcomed me into the school. she ushered me to a courtyard which housed a little stage and a chicken cage. there were no chickens, i was immediately puzzled. she could see my confusion and started walking me around the first courtyard to another open area on the opposite side of the school. a secret garden was waiting for us.

a small organic garden supported rows of leafy vegetables. children came from a classroom nearby and began to water the plants, a routine chore for them. across from the garden was a large chicken coop and greenhouse. sprinkled in between these structures were small trails and vegetation. the classrooms surrounded a miniature environment which felt foreign in a tucson neighborhood. this school is moving the planet forward in a way i had never seen before and i knew i needed to share it. their sustainability practices are fostering a love of nature with young children and passes on an appreciation for the environment to younger generations.