Heritage garden project earns Burlington teacher national recognition

A Burlington teacher has been nominated for a national history award for ongoing work with a heritage garden project.

Heather Howell of M.M. Robinson High School is the nominee for the Governor General’s Award presented annually by Canada’s National History Society, a charitable organization that promotes this country’s history.

The award winners will be announced later this year.

The Heritage Garden Initiative is a collaborative project between the Museums of Burlington and Howell’s horticulture therapy course offered through M. M. Robinson High School’s Community Pathways Program. This program offers an alternative curriculum to students with developmental and physical disabilities.

Through this project, the high school students learn about the importance of the horticultural history in Burlington while doing hands-on gardening work on the grounds of the Ireland House Museum.

When harvested, the food is donated to the Burlington Food Bank in keeping with the community focus of the project.

The Governor General’s Award honours those contributing to Canada’s history and heritage and is meant to celebrate achievements that ensure this nation’s past.