Students at Celebration Island Village Elementary School (IVES) now have a new way to connect with nature, thanks to the efforts of volunteers from Mattamy Homes Orlando Division and the Celebration Gardening Club. On Friday, February 7th, team members Dana Rolon, Vanessa Cardenas, and Will Foy, along with Celebration Gardening Club President Brad Wagoner, installed two raised garden beds on the school grounds.
Guided by Ideas for Us, a UN-recognized environmental nonprofit specializing in localized sustainability solutions, the installation included the first set of companion plants and an efficient, automated drip irrigation system to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
Island Village Elementary teacher Maggie Crigler expressed her gratitude for the project, stating, “I just went out to see it (raised beds) and it is just absolutely beautiful. Thank you beyond words for taking time out of your day to do it. It means the world to our kids.”
These garden beds will serve as a valuable educational tool. Through hands-on learning, students will develop a deeper connection with nature and gain an understanding of where their food comes from—an initiative aimed at fostering environmental awareness and responsibility from an early age.
Mattamy Homes remains committed to supporting local communities and sustainability efforts that create lasting impacts.
