Hi I’m Melissa!

 

I started Garden PlaySpace in the spring of 2019 when my kids where little- 2 and 4. With my kids, we explore nature play and our desert yard together. I was inspired to share the benefits out getting outside everyday with the community.

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My mission- greener, healthier human and more than human community. I've met amazing collaborators who are contributing to the big picture vision of all children having access to nature, urban rewilding and habitat restoration.

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I believe starting with the little ones in our lives, in the little corners of space we have, we can restore connection and love for the natural world.

 

​Getting kids unplugged and into nature is essential for developing creativity, focus and problem solving, connection to the environment and healthy habits for life. But when it came to my kids it was really a struggle to set up a safe, engaging place for them to play. Our yard was rocks, blazing Arizona sun, snakes and scorpions. It felt like we barely had time for dinner much less playing outside. This experience helped me develop designs and activities that work for busy caregivers in our desert environment. 

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Garden PlaySpace helps you design, build

and engage kids in nature play spaces and gardens.

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​I am a naturalist and gardener and have a professional background in sustainable landscape design, organic gardening, project management, facilitation and environmental education.

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I've been honored to work with:

• Pima County Conservation Lands & Resources

• Pima County Connecting Children to Nature

• Cooper Center for Environmental Education

• Arizona Master Naturalist Association

• Community Gardens of Tucson

• TUSD Preschools

• Head Starts

• Pima County Libraries

• Reid Park Zoo

• Arizona Association for Environmental Education

 

Reach out to schedule a conversation about what you're working on. I'd love to help or recommend other great partners in the field. We can all work together to expand kids' access to nature and green spaces in our urban environment.

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Thank you for doing your part to help the world be a greener, kinder, healthier place.