Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, nourishing food, and nature through garden-based education.
Our Vision
Life Lab empowers educators and children with the inspiration, knowledge, and confidence to foster wellbeing and a thriving planet for generations to come.
What We Do
Life Lab is the national leader in training garden educators for schools everywhere! Through innovative training and award-winning curriculum, Life Lab equips educators nationally - and even internationally - to engage students in vibrant, outdoor garden classrooms. At the demonstration Garden Classroom in Santa Cruz, Life Lab prepares current and future educators to lead experiential, outdoor learning through field trips, summer camps, internships, and professional development.
See our Recent Impact Here.
Our Values
Wellbeing
We nurture balance, resilience, and wholeness in ourselves, our communities, and the natural world.
Interdependence
We know that all people, plants, animals, and places are connected, and we grow best when we work together.
Justice
We recognize the inherent dignity of every person, and work to make sure everyone is included, respected, and has what they need to learn and thrive.
Stewardship
We care for the earth and our communities now and into the future by using resources wisely.
Joy
We believe every person deserves to learn and grow in ways that spark curiosity, confidence, passion, and joy.
Equity Stance
Staff and Board Approved as of October 27, 2025
Life Lab is committed to increasing access to garden education and developing inclusive programming so that every child, from every walk of life, can experience the magic of learning in a garden.
How do we bring this commitment to life?
We value diverse lived experiences as essential assets that people bring to Life Lab.
We work in partnership with communities where discrimination is prevalent, particularly in regards to nature, wellness, and experiential education.
We intentionally shift our organizational culture away from principles of colonization*, and towards interdependence, reciprocity, liberation and love.
We do all of this because we know inclusive garden education helps create a more beautiful, sustainable, and just world, now and into the future.
* Below are some resources to learn more about decolonization and liberatory practices in the workplace:
Decolonizing the Workplace - Dr Gerry Ebalaroza Tunnell
Qualities of Regenerative and Liberatory Culture - Daniel Lim
brief thoughts, 1: movement as liberatory space - adrienne maree brown
The Combahee River Collective Statement
The Service Berry - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Life Lab History
It all started in 1979 with a team of inspired teachers, some open land outside a classroom, and a vision. Since the first Life Lab school garden was created at Green Acres Elementary School in Santa Cruz, CA, Life Lab has continuously engaged young people in gardens and taught others to do the same. View a timeline of our history documented on our blog.
Recognition for Life Lab
Life Lab has won numerous awards and has been acclaimed by the following groups and individuals, among others:
National Science Teachers Association ∙ National Science Foundation ∙ National Science Resources Center/Smithsonian Institute ∙ California School Board Association ∙ U.S. Department of Education ∙ National Academy of Sciences ∙ U.S. Congressional Record ∙California Senator Bruce McPherson ∙ United Way Family Friendly Workplace ∙ Santa Cruz Education Foundation ∙Santa Cruz City Council ∙ National Parenting Publications Awards, Honors Winner ∙ Independent Publisher Book Awards ∙ Parents’ Choice Book Awards, Gold Medal ∙ Tillywig Toy Award: Books, Brain Child Award