Richard Kelley Learning and Healing Garden
“Engaging the community and emphasizing sustainability.” — Dr. Louis LaPierre.
When long-time LCC faculty member Richard Kelley was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014, his friends and colleagues wanted to honor him. As an avid gardener and passionate teacher Richard was excited about creating a learning garden on the campus.
The concept expanded to honor other colleagues and friends, including the late Lynn Lawrence (former LCC Registrar) and the late Tom Swihart (former technician in LCC's Information Technology Department).
Garden Location: the garden is located in the green space between the Alan Thompson Library and Applied Arts buildings. See Campus Map.
Honoring the Garden
Interested in helping with the garden or honoring a loved one through a donation or special plant purchase?
Please Contact
Dr. Louis LaPierre
(360) 442-2884
llapierre@lowercolumbia.edu
Proposed Updates to Learning & Healing Garden
Garden Features
Fruit trees are a foundational element of the learning garden, in addition to raised vegetable beds, herbs, and grapes. Additional features include a collection of native plants, greenhouse, gazebo, and sitting areas.
- See the Proposed Landscaping Map
A More Edible Campus
Dr. Louis LaPierre, Environmental Science and Biology faculty member, hopes the garden will be the anchor of a movement to create a more edible campus, including fruit trees and shrubs planted throughout the campus. He emphasizes the garden's interdisciplinary value for instruction, but also sees it as a way to engage the community and emphasize sustainability principles.
Partnership with Fork & Flame Cafe
The garden has partnered with LCC's Fork & Flame Cafe to feature fresh garden veggies in the salad bar. Stay tuned for harvest!
- Learn more about the Fork & Flame Cafe
Partnership with Lower Columbia School Gardens
Lower Columbia School Gardens (LCSG) empowers our community by connecting kids and families with real food and hands-on learning. Through dynamic garden and cooking programs, we cultivate health, equity, life-long learning, and stewardship of the world around us.
- Learn more about the Lower Columbia School Gardens (LCSG)