Grow Gardens, Murals, and Food Forests Across Denver This Spring

This spring, The Walls Project is thrilled to announce a series of hands-on volunteer opportunities that will empower local communities to support school gardens, student murals, and the growth of future food forests across the Denver metro area. These events are part of a growing effort to build sustainable outdoor learning environments, foster youth creativity, and cultivate healthy habits—just in time for Earth Day.

Earth Day Colorado 2025

Multiple dates April 14 - 18, 2025|Various Locations

Register Now

Thanks to generous support from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, volunteers will play a vital role in transforming school grounds into thriving, green spaces that nourish both students and the community. With projects taking place at Lansing Elementary, Garden Place Academy, and Ponderosa Elementary, there are multiple ways for volunteers to get involved and make a lasting impact.

Lansing Elementary (Aurora, CO) – Mural Preparation & Garden Beautification – April 14-16, 2025. Join us in preparing two large mural activations with local muralists Juls Mendoza and Sandra Fettingis, while enhancing the school’s garden courtyards. Volunteers will help prep the mural spaces, tidy the garden areas, and get everything ready for a week of Earth Day activities. Students will then paint the murals and plant spring starters alongside the artists, combining art and sustainability in a powerful hands-on experience.

This project is proudly supported by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, a national leader in youth wellness and nutrition education. Their values—centered around access to fresh food, school gardening, and empowering future generations—align perfectly with Lansing Elementary’s mission to build vibrant, health-focused learning spaces.

Garden Place Academy (Globeville, CO) – Garden Beautification Project – April 14, 2025. Help prepare the garden beds by spreading mulch, enriching soil, and removing invasive shrubs to support a healthier, cleaner space for student learning. Volunteers will work alongside The Preservery Foundation, while students and The Birdseed Collective bring new life to the school's shipping container, transforming it into a colorful mural.

Ponderosa Elementary (Aurora, CO) – Food Forest Preparation – April 17-18, 2025. Volunteers will help lay the foundation for a large-scale food forest by digging holes for 40 heritage apple trees generously provided by the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project. The volunteer support will ensure students are ready to plant the trees on Earth Day, creating a long-term food source and learning opportunity for years to come.

“These events are about so much more than planting seeds in the ground,” said Thomas Donley, CO Director of The Walls Project. “They’re about planting ideas—inspiring students to care for the earth, express themselves through art, and see how their actions can grow into something truly transformative. We’re so grateful to Sprouts, the inspiring administration at each school and our incredible partners for making this possible.”

Volunteer Information:

Community members are invited to join this inspiring project by helping prep the space, support mural installation, and enhance the gardens. Sign up to volunteer at:  bit.ly/earthdayco2025.