The Green Heart of BUas
In the middle of the greenery on the campus of Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) is the Community Garden. This garden, a unique BUas initiative, offers students, staff and local residents a place to garden together and enjoy nature.
- About BUas
The Community Garden, a flower-filled vegetable garden, was established several years ago, but withered away after the initial group of ‘gardening’ students graduated. In 2022, the decision was made to thoroughly revamp and revitalise the garden as part of BUas' commitment to sustainability and community building. The garden was designed and planned with the aim of creating a place where the community can come together to learn and relax.
Gardening Club
The Community Garden is maintained by the Gardening Club, one of BUas' many clubs. The club consists of a group of dedicated volunteers: students, staff and local residents. Weekly, they meet to sow, harvest, weed and socialise in the garden. Thanks to the international nature of BUas, volunteers learn from each other by asking inquisitive questions and listening to each other with interest.
From Wilderness to Circular Kitchen Garden
The garden supplies fresh produce such as edible flowers and herbs to the BUas professional training company and restaurant Sibelicious, which are harvested by the students themselves. As a result, they learn how crops grow and become familiar with fresh ingredients. The kitchen's by-products are composted, and this compost is used again to feed the garden, providing a sustainable, circular cycle.
A Classroom in Nature
In this regard, the Community Garden also serves as a kind of classroom, but in nature. Many of our courses intersect with the themes of sustainability or nature, and our garden gives students the opportunity to explore these topics up close.
Moving with Nature
The Community Garden contributes to a healthy natural environment, which is in line with BUas' goal of being climate-positive by 2035. The garden is managed entirely organically, without the use of pesticides, using the principles of companion planting to ward off pests. Untouched nooks for insects and small mammals have been preserved to support the natural ecosystem. The garden is rich in native flowers such as sweet woodruff, yarrow and foxglove.
Be Welcome
Curious? Visit the Community Garden behind the chapel on the south side of campus, recognisable by the large sign. Local residents, students and staff who feel like rolling up their sleeves can volunteer to join the Gardening Club by sending an email to [email protected].
