The Moss Garden in the West Asheville Garden Stroll

(Asheville, NC) – On September 10, 2011, the Moss Garden at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School will be a part of the 2011 West Asheville Garden Stroll.  The Moss Garden was co-designed by the Third Grade this spring in collaboration with Annie Martin of Mountain Moss Enterprises and teacher, West Willmore who holds a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies.  The moss garden installation and stroll participation were coordinated by lead sponsor Dulcita Love and tripled in size through sponsorships by students, parents, teachers and local businesses.

The moss garden is located within the Outdoor Classroom at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School in West Asheville.  Stroll participants will have the opportunity to ask Annie Martin, aka Mossin’ Annie, about the environmental benefits of ‘Going Green with Moss’ and how to begin their own moss garden.  “Mosses require no chemicals typically used to maintain grass such as fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides” says owner of Mountain Moss Enterprises, Annie Martin. The Hop West, who hosts many family-friendly events in support of building community, will be scooping local homemade ice cream and is the Exclusive Sponsor for the ‘Go Green with Moss’ program featured at the moss garden on the day of the stroll.

Also in the Outdoor Classroom are vegetable beds replanted this year by the Fourth Grade as part of their Botany, Gardening, and Community Building curriculum for Social Studies and Science with teachers, Eddy Webb and Julie Ludvigsen.  There are two large bird nest installations designed by the Third Grade remaining from earlier this spring which were part of an Andy Goldsworthy-inspired Imagine art project coordinated by teacher West Willmore and art teacher, Richmond Smith.

The Honeybee Project will share how bee pollination helps our gardens grow.  SJ Bee, Executive Director of The Honeybee Project says “If children can understand the importance of the bees and how bees work together, this understanding can potentially deepen their connection and relationship with their community and the world around them.”

The stroll kick-off begins at the West Asheville Library at 10:30 am on September 10, 2011.  Stroll guides will be handed out after the kick-off and will have a map and suggested parking/restroom locations.  Stroll guides will also be available at gardens on the stroll. The stroll lasts from 11 am to 4 pm, rain or shine.  Garden-themed art and bags, garden-inspired natural soaks for the bath, and bottled water will be available for sale.  Restrooms, limited parking, and a drinking fountain will be accessible during the stroll at the school.

Thank you to the Exclusive Sponsor of the “Going Green with Moss” program at the moss garden during the stroll: The Hop West.  Thank you to Supporting Sponsors of The Honeybee Project: The Attorney Search Group, Bandidos Restaurant, Greenlife Grocery, Harvest The Sun.