MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Green Mountain High School plants seeds for real world jobs
Outdoor learning lab prepares students for landscape careers
Media Contacts:
Chuck Montera: ALCC –720.587.9629, [email protected]
Michael Moore: ALCC – 720.590.3862, [email protected]
Courtney Mayo: Green Mountain High School Instructor – 303.902.0264, [email protected]
WHAT: On Thursday, April 27, approximately 25 landscape professionals will work side-by-side with students
at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood to expand their outdoor learning laboratory. The learning lab
provides open-air classrooms that complement Green Mountain High School’s Academy Agriculture Pathway.
The project also reinforces the school’s partnership with the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado’s
(ALCC) Landscape Career Pathways Program.
Each year, ALCC Denver Chapter members participate in a ‘Day of Service,’ where they volunteer their time
and expertise to improve an outdoor space within the community. The 2017 Day of Service project is the second
phase of learning lab construction that began at the high school during the 2016 Day of Service. This year’s work
includes installing vegetable gardens, a fruit orchard, paths and a chicken coop area.
WHEN: Thursday, April 27.
For best visuals, media is encouraged to attend between 9:30 am to 11:30 for action shots. The project will begin
at 8 am and run until around 4:30 pm.
WHERE: Green Mountain High School - 13175 W Green Mountain Dr., Lakewood, 80228
WHY: Launched in 2015, ALCC’s Landscape Career Pathways Program, in a coordinated effort with Colorado
Community College System, creates partnerships with high schools throughout the state to expose students to the
variety of employment opportunities in the industry and also provides students with skills to begin careers right
out of high school.
Landscape pros and approximately six Green Mountain High School will work together to renovate a large
grassy area behind the school and install eight raised planting beds where students will grow their own vegetable
crops. They will plant a small fruit orchard including apple, plum, peach and apricot trees. Paths connecting the
learning stations will be built. Last, but not least, an area will be prepped for a chicken coop to be installed later
this spring, the new home for baby chicks recently hatched in Mayo’s classroom.
“Not every student can afford a four-year degree or wants to go to college immediately out of high school. This
program helps make students employable upon graduation and points the way toward additional education that
can advance their careers when they are ready,” said ALCC Career Pathways Director Becky Garber.
The landscape industry employs approximately 45,000 workers and brings more than $2 billion to the Colorado
economy each year. There is a misperception that landscape jobs are manual labor and seasonal. In reality the
industry provides a variety of positions requiring a broad range of skills and education. Many entry-level jobs
can be the starting point of a long-term, lucrative and satisfying career.
The landscape companies involved in the project are members of ALCC, the not-for-profit trade association for
the state’s landscape companies. Chapter members are donating the project design and all labor, equipment and
materials for the project. The estimated value for this project is nearly $25,000.
About ALCC
The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), with six chapters statewide, is the premier
professional organization for Colorado’s landscape companies. For more than 50 years, ALCC has guided
landscape professionals to address Colorado’s unique climate and to promote sustainable landscapes. ALCC
promotes the responsible use of water and other natural resources and provides educational and industry
certification opportunities to Colorado’s landscape professionals. More information at www.alcc.com.
About Green Mountain High School
Green Mountain High School is an award-winning, college and career-preparatory public school with a proven
track record for helping students realize their full potential. Since opening its doors in 1973, the school’s
leadership, staff and teachers have worked together to cultivate a school environment anchored in academic and
athletic excellence, social responsibility and student camaraderie. Green Mountain High School is Jefferson
County’s only advanced learning Academy school. www.gmhsrams.org
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