Our Story

 CitySprouts began in 2001 with a simple idea: that every child should have the opportunity to engage with nature, no matter where they live and no matter their background. It started almost by accident when Jane Hirschi’s daughter began preschool in the Cambridge Public Schools. Her child’s teacher, Janet Forte, invited all the parents and caregivers to bring an activity into the classroom. Jane responded to the invitation and brought in some fruits and vegetables from her kitchen for students to explore. Sure enough, the kids were excited to touch and taste the vegetables but the real breakthrough came when Jane witnessed how the teacher built on the children’s discovery and excitement. The simple activity transformed into something much more profound—an opportunity for experiential learning that connected children to nature in meaningful ways. A simple activity allowed the teacher to find  creative ways to incorporate science and discovery, making the classroom experience richer and more accessible for all students, even those with little previous outdoor access. This collaboration between teachers, students, and families laid the foundation for CitySprouts, which remains, at its core, a unique partnership that helps teachers bring learning outdoors, and nature indoors. Nature opens doors to curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning.CitySprouts makes it possible for busy teachers to integrate it into their classrooms in powerful ways.

CitySprouts officially took shape in 2001 when Hirschi’s children started kindergarten at the Haggerty School in Cambridge. With the support of Principal Joe Petner and teachers like Jamillah Bakr and Janet Forte, CitySprouts formed its first board and established itself as a program deeply embedded within public schools. "It was different from a lot of school programs, which were coming in with an external program, and the teachers would take a step back and let the volunteer run it.Instead, we said,; ‘We're bringing something that is a scaffold for you to build your teaching on.’" From its early days, CitySprouts continued to grow and evolve, adding more Cambridge Public Schools as partners. One of the first major milestones came with Principal Petner’s insistence that schools contribute financially to sustain the program, ensuring long-term commitment. Another key moment came with the launch of the middle school program, adapting to the district’s shift to an upper school model, when the district consolidated grades 6-8 into the lower school buildings. "When the district shifted to an upper school model, we did too. And that was the first CitySprouts middle school program." 

Then, in 2013, with all of Cambridge Public Schools operating in partnership with CitySprouts, the CitySprouts board made the decision to expand beyond Cambridge, thanks in part to a Harvard CAP program study that confirmed the feasibility of working in Boston schools. The expansion was met with enthusiasm from Boston schools, where teachers were eager to bring garden-based learning to their students. Schools recognized the value of hands-on, outdoor learning, especially in urban settings where access to green space was limited. While securing funding presented a challenge, it also opened the door to new partnerships and community support. With a growing network of educators, families, and local organizations rallying behind the program, CitySprouts took root in Boston, bringing even more students the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with nature.

CitySprouts is not just about building and maintaining gardens—it’s about integrating outdoor learning into the fabric of public education. Jane explains: "The program has always been in partnership with teachers and their school districts. We're saying, 'Will you support public education?' Not, 'We're going to do something that's in a school,' but 'How can we hook this on?’ For many families, academic success is the priority, and CitySprouts bridges that gap by linking garden-based education to science learning and critical thinking.” Jane goes on to say, "Elementary students in the US get less science time than they did 25 years agoAnd that's a shame. Science is a key way for kids to learn about the natural world. Science teaches critical thinking skills, too." 

CitySprouts has created countless "aha" moments for students, making science and nature feel tangible and real. From its earliest days, CitySprouts has been shaped by the educators, parents, and students who bring learning to life in schoolyard gardens. Inspired by organizations like The Food Project, which emphasized youth development, CitySprouts continues to evolve, always asking: How can we better support students and their communities?

 "The most important thing I thought we were doing in our middle school program was helping kids, giving them a safe place to figure out who they were and learn to be kind to each other and connected to the world. Whether you do that through cooking or a rain garden project, whatever it is, the essence of it is giving kids the time and space to get to know themselves. " Today, CitySprouts remains committed to the belief that hands-on, outdoor learning should not be considered "extracurricular", but rather a part of the fabric of a school's culture and curriculum- an essential part of a child’s education and development. As CitySprouts continues to grow, we hold on to the vision that started it all: every child, regardless of background, should have the opportunity for outdoor education and the chance to experience the wonder of nature, right in their schoolyard.

From everyone at CitySprouts, we would like to thank Jane for her 22 years of leadership, and for building a foundation for outdoor garden education in our region. 

Full interview coming soon.