What began as an underused, dusty corner of campus is now an active outdoor learning space at Seahurst Elementary. The school’s rain garden and outdoor classroom were created to meet both environmental needs and the priorities of students and families. The project also continued a growing model for green stormwater infrastructure across Highline School District.
EarthGen partnered with Highline Public Schools, Seattle Sounders FC and the RAVE Foundation, OSPI, Boeing, Abbott Construction, and community volunteers to bring the project to life. Nearly 50 volunteers completed the core installation in a single day in April 2021. The team added native plants, created new gathering areas, and built a space that functions as a stormwater education tool.
Students Helped Shape the Space
Student voice guided the project from the beginning. Upper-grade students shared what they wanted through class discussions, drawings, and brainstorming sessions. They asked for places to explore nature, be active, read with friends, enjoy fragrant plants, and care for the environment. Students worked directly with the landscape designer, helped plant native species, and later joined the community ribbon-cutting hosted by the RAVE Foundation and Sounders FC. They also reviewed early drafts of the educational sign installed in 2022 and offered feedback that shaped the final version.
Principal Terry Holtgraves said that watching students influence the design showed the power young people hold in their school community. She noted that this type of investment tells students they are valued and supported by many adults and organizations.
A Visible Transformation
The finished space includes a large rain garden, smaller native plant beds, journaling platforms, a flexible outdoor seating area for classes, and an adventure play area. The project strengthened EarthGen’s partnership with Highline Public Schools and helped launch additional stormwater efforts across the district.
Secondary Science Specialist Dana Dyer shared that connecting students with nature on their own school campuses increases their engagement in science and builds appreciation for the environment now and in the future.
Recent Work: A Fresh Start for the Garden
This fall, students, educators, and community members came together again to care for the space. More than 200 students from first through fifth grade worked alongside Seahurst families and EarthGen staff and board members to remove weeds, spread mulch, and add compost to garden beds. Some students even came out during recess to help.
Many said the hands-on work was the highlight of their week. They enjoyed being outside, watching the garden transform, and discovering tiny creatures hidden among the plants. The work party showed how hands-on environmental action can bring a school community together while giving students a deeper connection to the places where they learn and play.
