Our Goal

The goal of Heirloom Blooms’ Kids Dig It campaign is to raise funding to get our children’s art and environmental education programs going in 2013. We need start-up materials like field microscopes, art easels, and kids gardening tools, help with other expenses like printing and first aid training for instructors, and funding to support our scholarship students. Our budget to begin our kids programs is more than $25,000. Family and friends have helped us raise $11,000 and so we’re asking you to help us launch high-quality, engaging, and fun educational programs at Acres Wild Ranch.

Our Story

Heirloom Blooms was founded by Lenny Archer—visionary, gardener, and outdoor educator extraordinaire—with the mission to promote environmental stewardship and  foster creativity inspired from the natural world. Lenn, or Ranger Turtle as she is known to thousands of kids, has led children’s environmental education programs with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Families program (serving as a Park Ranger for families at more than 50 state parks), the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department, the Westcave Preserve, RavenStar Outdoor Education, and Texas State University-San Marcos’ Aquarena Center.

Earlier this year, Lenny met her fairy godmother, Barbara Mayhew, who has welcomed Heirloom Blooms to the beautiful Acres Wild Ranch in Wimberley, Texas. With the sweat equity and support of 30 dedicated volunteers, Heirloom Blooms has installed heirloom gardens, fruit trees, and a Texas native plants botanical garden. In 2013, Heirloom Blooms is launching its art and environmental education programs for children at its outdoor learning lab on Acres Wild Ranch, at community events, and at school gardens.

Heirloom Blooms wants all children to have access to safe outdoor spaces for hands-on learning and fun. Kids dig it!

What You Can Do

1. Your contribution in any amount will help us reach our goal.  

2. Share this campaign with friends and family via your social networks.

3. Email us at heirloomblooms@hotmail.com if you know of a child or school group that is interested in visiting our outdoor learning lab. With your help, we’ll be ready for them in the Spring!

Why We Are Passionate about Heirloom Blooms’ Mission

Kids need to get outdoors to learn about the world. The 2009 Children and Nature Report describes how today’s kids are playing outdoors less than children just a few years ago. One study found that eight year olds could identify 25% more Pokemon characters than wildlife species. Outdoor learning and unstructured time spent outdoors has positive health effects—like improved mental focus, increased fitness levels, and reduced anxiety.

Outdoor learning also offers kids opportunities to be inspired by nature, to make scientific investigations, and to feel connected to their communities. By using gardening and service learning as a platform to build childrens’ passion for the outdoors, Heirloom Blooms encourages kids to learn about where their food and water comes from so that they can make healthy choices and understand the interconnections among people and places. Heirloom Blooms provides educators with an outdoor venue for applied field studies, and our programs complement the curriculum learned in math, science, art, geography, and physical education classes.