WRD Environmental Results Gallery, Environmental Education

Aurora Early Learning Center, Aurora, IL

One Hope United, which developed the Aurora Early Learning Center, is a federation of agencies that provides advocacy, support and treatment for vulnerable and high-risk children and families. It offers an array of prevention, intervention and community-based services.

Goal

• Create three separate outdoor environments that encourage children to interact with each other and with nature
• Maximize open play space
• Provide educational opportunities with vegetable gardens
• Develop a landscape that is safe for children and complements a sustainable facility

Sample Results

• An outdoor environment with no toxic fruits, leaves or flowers
• A  tiered vegetable garden that accommodates various ages and physical abilities, while encouraging interaction among the children
• A landscape that helped the learning center achieve LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council through sustainable qualities such as native plantings, rain gardens and other stormwater management tools

Learn more about the Aurora Early Learning Center.