Richard Kelley Learning & Healing Garden
Richard Kelley Learning & Healing Garden
Richard Kelley Learning & Healing Garden
Richard Kelley Learning & Healing Garden
Richard Kelley Learning & Healing Garden

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.

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!

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.


Buildings & Facilities Contacts

Plant Operations

  Richard Hamilton, Director, Campus Services

  (360) 442-2263
  rhamilton@lowercolumbia.edu

Media

  Wendy Hall, Vice President, Effectiveness & College Relations

  (360) 442-2491
  whall@lowercolumbia.edu

Rental

  Alyssa Milano-Hightower, Director of Enterprise Services

  (360) 442-2241
  amilanohightower@lowercolumbia.edu