What is Let It Rot?

Let it Rot is a experiential learning program run in collaboration with local high schools to provide support in school gardens and knowledge on composting, waste reduction, soil science and ecological stewardship.

In 2023/2024 Let it Rot has grown to run two semester long cohorts in 11 Environmental Science classes at SJ Burnside and Mount Douglas Secondary. The semester long format allows students to be immersed in the program’s content and build skills in in composting, waste reduction, urban food production and climate resiliency, gain tools for building a reciprocal relationship and connection to the land we live and learn to help their school’s gardens and green spaces to thrive.

Weekly, CEC Education Manager, Elora delivers workshops on topics like Putting the Garden to Bed, Seed Saving, Mycology, Compost under the Microscope and more- all at no cost to the host schools.

If you’re interested in Let it Rot or how to bring this programming to your school contact Elora at education@compost.bc.ca

History of the Program

The Compost Education Centre launched Let It Rot! (LIR) in collaboration with SJ Burnside Alternative Secondary School (SJ Burnside) at the beginning of 2022. We launched the program because we received feedback from student learners and teachers that teens need longer periods of time and relationship-building to more fulsomely connect with the resources that the Compost Ed Centre offers. Students want to get their hands dirty, apply knowledge and skills in a tangible way, and build community around the intersection of food and climate justice. From 2022-2023 Let it Rot also ran a cohort on site at the CEC on Saturdays, before transitioning to running the second cohort at Mount Douglas.

Since 2022 the Let it Rot Program has;

• Transformed a large patch of lawn at SJ Burnside into a thriving native plant garden
• Added two veggie growing beds to SJ Burnside’s Garden
• Introduced a full irrigation system at SJ Burnside
• Created 3 boulevard gardens in the Fernwood area using sheet mulching
• Taught hundreds of workshops to hundreds of youth from ages 14-17 encourages further education, involvement and careers in our food system