Introducing Youth Education Intern Maddie Piper!

At the Danny Woo Community Garden, our Children's Garden provides young people ages 3-18 a place to engage with nature and community, explore, learn, and play. We are very lucky to bring on board Maddie Piper, who will be providing us with guidance, best practices, and curriculum development for our children's garden programming. They have worked in environmental education in Denver as well as the Fiddlehead Forest Outdoor Preschool in the University of Washington Arboretum. Welcome to the garden Maddie!

Who are you?
My name is Maddie Piper (they/them/their) and I am senior at Seattle University! 
 
How long have you been part of the DWCG community?
I have visited the garden several times for the past 3 years, but did not get involved in the community until last year when I took an Anthropology class that included service learning in the garden. We volunteered during a couple of work parties, helped support Lizzy with the preschoolers who come to the garden, and created projects to bring recognition to the indigenous peoples who lived and continue to live in this region. My group created that batik flags that now hang on the South Entrance of the garden!
 
Why did you start volunteering/working at the garden? What are you working on?
Originally, I started working on the garden because of my class last year. This year, however, I am stepping into a different role as an intern as part of my senior project for my Teaching degree. As a Teaching and Environmental Studies major I was interested in trying to find a place where I could combine two of my passions. Danny Woo Community Garden was a great fit! This quarter I am working both in the garden getting my hands dirty as well as will be creating a curriculum for youth programing in the garden.
 
What is your favorite Asian vegetable or food?
I love bok choy! I pretty much love any dish that has lots of veggies and noodles!
 
Where did you grow up?
I grew up just south of Denver, Colorado.
 
What languages do you speak?
Just English. I know some Spanish, but not as much as I used to.
 
What are your hobbies or special skills?
I love knitting, embroidery, and other crafting activities. I also spend a lot of time outdoors hiking, biking, rock climbing, gardening, or just taking long walks around Seattle. In my spare time I also love to cook and bake. My special skills include always having a fun animal fact in my back pocket!