We are thrilled to share the highlights from our recent conference “Root & Knowledge: Cultivating Community Garden on Campus” held at the prestigious Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, on May 15th. 🌿🇵🇱 This event was a significant milestone in our journey towards sustainability and community engagement, marking the establishment of only the second community garden on a university campus in Poland, with the first being in Toruń.

Meet our speakers

1. Urszula Janiec – From the Campus Manager Team and Campus full of life at Jagiellonian University, Urszula discussed the team’s role, goals, and achievements over the past four months, highlighting successful initiatives and inviting feedback from the audience.
2. Joanna Kajzer-Bonk – Representing the Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Joanna addressed the urgent need for modern solutions to mitigate biodiversity loss and climate change, presenting local initiatives from the JU 3rd Campus.
3. Fanny Téoule – From the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Fanny explored the historical and contemporary significance of community gardens, their contributions to social equity, environmental resilience, and sustainable infrastructure, supported by case studies and mapping data.
4. Izabella Eden – From the Laboratories of Contemporary Culture, Izabella shared insights on student-led initiatives and how co-creating the community garden has inspired local community engagement.
5. Zbyszek Janukowycz – Representing the Nausika Foundation and Salwator community garden, Zbyszek discussed the broader learning outcomes of community gardens, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, communication, and character development through collaborative gardening projects.

Moderator

Jarosław Działek – From the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management at Jagiellonian University, Jarosław expertly moderated the event, guiding discussions and facilitating Q&A sessions.

What is it all about?

Our community garden initiative is more than just creating a green space; it’s about fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable practices right on our campus. The garden serves as a natural laboratory, embodying the principles of the Campus Living Lab strategies developed by Jagiellonian University. Through hands-on workshops and participatory design sessions, involving students and local inhabitants, we have created a model for sustainable campus development.

Conference highlights

The conference provided an excellent platform for attendees to delve into the concept of community gardens, especially for those new to the idea. It showcased our garden’s development journey, emphasizing the significant role of participatory design with active student involvement. The event featured presentations from various experts and facilitated lively discussions on campus sustainability initiatives.

Event schedule

• 16:00-17:00 – Speakers’ Presentations
• 17:00-18:00 – Discussion and Q&A
• 18:00-18:30 – Guided tour of the community garden for on-site attendees