“…Existing research describes the benefits of garden-based activities for elementary age chil- Table 1 Key Benefits of Positive Experiences with the Natural World • increased concern for the environment (Palmer, 1993) • increased sense of wonder and imagination (Cobb, 1977;Wilson, 1997) • improved ability to concentrate (children with ADD) (Taylor et al, 2001) • increased powers of observation and creativity (Crain, 2001) • increased motivation for life-long learning (Wilson, 1997) • improved awareness, reasoning, and observational skills (Pyle, 2002) • improved personal skills including confidence, social skills, self-efficacy (Dillon, et al 2005) • reduced stress/greater ability to deal with adversity (Wells & Evans, 2003) • increased language and collaborative skills (Moore & Wong, 1997) • increased development of senses (Louv, 2005) • increased knowledge and understanding of geographical, ecological or food production process (Dillon et al, 2005) • increased analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, and integration of math, science, language arts, social sciences, and other subjects (Bartosh et al, 2006) • increased interest in healthy foods/eating fruits/vegetables (Cavaliere, 1987;Lineberger, 1999;Pothukuchi, 2004) • improved physical well-being through better quality play and increased motivation to exercise and eat more healthily (Rickinson, et al, 2004) • increased physical and mental well-being, ability to identify and work toward personal goals (children with behavioral problems or attention issues) (Thrive, 2006) • increased positive attitudes about environmental issues (Waliczek & Zajicek, 1999) • increased scores on environmental attitude surveys (elementary children) (Skelly & Zajicek, 1998) • improved numeracy and literacy skills and knowledge of the environment (Thrive, 2006) • increased interpersonal relationships and positive attitudes about school with garden-based programming (Waliczek et al, 2001) • increased awareness of nature's beauty and power (Heffernan, 1994) • increased scores on science achievement scores (compared to students without garden-based learning activities) …”