4700 Stag Road, Red Bank 37415
Master Gardener, JoAnn Langston initiated this Master Gardener Project at the Alpine Crest Elementary School in 2014. Built in 1957, the School covers 17 acres at 4700 Stagg Road in North Red Bank. This project has grown to include raised vegetable beds, pollinator beds, along with a small orchard consisting of apple, peach and plum trees. Over the years, Master Gardeners have built a small, tarped greenhouse, several marked walking trails, a certified Monarch Butterfly bed with native shrubs and flowering plants. In addition Master Gardeners have added a composter and two rain barrels, and six bluebird houses monitored by Chattanooga Bluebird Society. Alpine Crest has recently been certified as an Arboretum, including thirty-four trees that have been signed and mapped.
The Master Gardener crew works closely with the Alpine Crest Principal and classroom teachers to ensure that all students get a chance to get outside to learn and enjoy nature firsthand. This current school year, a Forest Kindergarten Class was created with Master Gardener input. In the upcoming school year, there will also be a Forest First Grade Class. The students in these classes spend a portion of the school day in an outdoor classroom with hands on learning.
Alpine Crest is really a magical place!
Photo by Sandee Jenkins