Meet Bryden Johnston, K-5 Instructor

When she worked for the Theodore Payne Foundation, they called her "Plant Whisperer." To several hundred children every week, she is known as "Ms. Bryden." And one might easily form the impression that she is the most popular teacher on campus when you see the children greet her. Her remarkable teaching skills connect children to the garden and the environment in magical ways that are clearly evident in the sparkle that you see in the children's eyes when they come out to the school gardens where Bryden teaches.

Bryden brings a wealth of experience and education to her work.

Prior to Collective Roots, Bryden provided garden based lessons to elementary school students through Project GROW, a volunteer organization at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Her horticulture experience includes working as an intern for the renowned Theodore Payne Foundation, where she grew and propagated native plants.

Most recently, Bryden worked in the Environmental Education Program at Hidden Villa. Originally from Oregon, Bryden studied Urban & Environmental Policy and Spanish at Occidental College.

We are blessed to have such a talented and spirit-full teacher in our midst. Bryden welcomes volunteer support in her garden classes, so please contact her if you are interested (click here).

Please help us achieve our goal to establish a Farmer's Market in East Palo Alto.

Saree Mading, Board Member and Administrator at East Palo Alto Charter School, has written an amazing letter about Collective Roots' initiative to develop the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. If you have a few minutes, please click here to view this inspiring letter. I am hoping that once you have read Saree’s letter and reviewed the programs that were are featured on our website, you will be inspired to make a donation to Collective Roots.

Nearly 40% of our budget is contributed in-kind. This means that every dollar you give is matched with the generosity of others that stretches precious resources even further. We offer a variety of ways for donors to make a contribution. I can mail you a letter (the old-fashioned way) with a remit envelope, or you can simply click here to make a tax-deductible donation online. Our online donation form is easy to use and only takes a couple of minutes.

There are many ways that you can join our efforts and support the work of Collective Roots. We welcome your involvement as a volunteer. Please review our many volunteer opportunities by clicking here.