Urban Harvest, Inc.
  1. Home
  2. Campaigns
  3. Practical Permaculture: Sensory Garden Service-Learning
  • Share
  • Embed
  • Practical Permaculture: Sensory Garden Service-Learning logo
  • Earth Day Celebration: Service‑Learning in the Sensory Garden
    Native Texas Plants • Climate Resilience • Permaculture Design
    Join us for a hands-on Earth Day Celebration focused on building a Sensory Garden with Native Texas plants. Participants will explore how native species offer color, pattern, texture, fragrance, and ecological resilience—while supporting xeriscaping, wild foraging traditions, and vital habitat for local wildlife.

    You’ll learn how thoughtful plant selection can create multi-sensory experiences, reduce maintenance needs, and strengthen climate adaptation through carbon sequestration and natural cooling.

    🌿 Featuring our Permaculture Design Fellow Clariza Reyes
    Gucci Scholarship Grant Recipient • HCC Interior Design Intern

    Clariza will share her capstone Sensory Garden Design for the West Houston Institute’s micro trail garden—an inspiring project that integrates people, climate, and wildlife through accessible, regenerative design. Participants will gain insight into her design process, including spatial flow, energy capture, and plant layering for sensory engagement and multiple uses.

    🌱 During this session, participants will:
    Explore native plant selections for color, texture, pattern, and ecological function

    Learn how native species support resilience, xeriscaping, and wildlife habitat

    Understand how gardens can serve as carbon sinks and help cool the climate

    Walk through design elements such as pathways, energy flow, and multi-use plantings

    Discover how plants can be used for sensory experiences, wild foraging, and crafting

    This Earth Day, come learn, create, and contribute to a living landscape that nourishes people and the planet.

    Facilitators:
    Carol Burton, Director of Permaculture

    Clariza Reyes, 2025 Permaculture Fellow and Garden Leader, West Houston Institute HCC

    Location: West Houston Institute, HCC



    Thank you to our partners:
    West Houston Institute, HCC, Jordan Caswell, Director and Marya Herrera, Coordinator, for ongoing support and vision in restoring nature in urban settings.
Urban Harvest, Inc. logo
In Support of Urban Harvest, Inc.
Urban Harvest cultivates thriving communities through gardening and access to healthy, local food. We are improving the lives, soil, and plates of​ all Houstonians through: 

ORGANIC GARDENING & NUTRITION EDUCATION
Urban Harvest Classes teach and promote the benefits of organic gardening, ecological land management, and healthy food choices. In schools, our Garden Educators teach children about nature and the origins of their food through hands-on, experiential learning. 

HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS
Through Double Up Houston, Urban Harvest is making fresh, healthy food accessible and affordable for all. Double Up Houston provides SNAP (formerly food stamps) beneficiaries with double the amount of fresh produce for every dollar spent at markets and farm stands across Houston.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
With a network of over 160 edible gardens throughout the Greater Houston area, it's easy to get involved in a garden near you. Urban Harvest provides affiliate gardens with volunteer engagement and workdays; seed and plant distributions; and, free education opportunities to help each garden become long-lasting and well-established for the community it serves.

FARMERS MARKETS
Get to know your farmer at Urban Harvest's Farmers Markets. Here, you will find the freshest farm and artisanal products, each grown, raised, and made within 180 miles of Houston. What’s more, your food dollars stay in the local economy.

Urban Harvest Farmers Market
2752 Buffalo Speedway
Every Saturday; 8am - noon

Mobile Market
Click here for locations.