September brought the fragrance of herbs and the promise of autumn. In partnership with L'Occitane volunteers, Shanghai Roots & Shoots visited three schools in Hangzhou, Qingdao, and Beijing to carry out a series of herb garden planting activities. Spanning three educational stages—from kindergarten to primary and middle school—and reaching across northern and southern China, the three events brought together 87 students and 45 L'Occitane volunteers. Corporate volunteerism and hands-on environmental education for young people came together in these herb gardens, nurturing the seeds of responsibility and personal growth.
The herb garden planting activities offered students a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and cultivate hope through hands-on experience. From loosening the soil and planting seedlings to watering and caring for the plants, students discovered a sense of love and responsibility through nurturing living things with their own hands. They also developed observation skills, patience, and a sense of accomplishment. More than just an attractive and interactive green space on campus, the herb garden serves as a natural laboratory for interdisciplinary learning. Through the sights, scents, and textures of the herbs and plants, the garden brings together hands-on learning, nature, responsibility, and personal growth—adding vitality to campuses while planting the seeds of a sustainable future in young minds.
Three Cities, Three Schools, Three Unique Experiences
Before each activity, Shanghai Roots & Shoots staff provided planting training for L'Occitane volunteers, introducing the characteristics of different herb varieties, planting procedures, and essential care tips. They also demonstrated the proper techniques for preparing the soil, placing seedlings, covering roots, and watering. The volunteers listened attentively and practiced in advance, making sure they were well prepared to guide the children through the planting activities. Once the students arrived, the volunteers divided them into small groups and guided them to the gardens, offering hands-on instruction every step of the way.
At the kindergarten in Qingdao, the children were excited to get their hands dirty. Using small trowels, they loosened the soil, carefully placed the seedlings, covered the roots, and watered their new plants. The volunteers guided them step by step. Their little hands moved with great care and concentration. Even when soil covered their fingers, they hardly seemed to mind. Laughter and cheerful voices filled a corner of the school grounds.
In Hangzhou, primary school students were curious and enthusiastic about planting herbs from the very beginning. Working in groups, they threw themselves into the task with energy and excitement. From loosening the soil and placing seedlings to covering the roots and watering, everyone worked together in an orderly and coordinated way. As they learned the joys of hands-on work, their curiosity about the natural world grew alongside it.
The middle school students in Beijing also embraced the activity with great enthusiasm. They worked together seamlessly, reminding one another along the way: "Let's plant this one a little deeper" and "That one needs a bit more water." As each herb found its place in the soil, the students' sense of ownership continued to grow. After the activity, many students even volunteered to take responsibility for the ongoing watering and care of the plants, ensuring they could continue to observe and accompany their herbs as they grew.
As the herb seedlings took root in the school grounds, so too did a deeper appreciation of nature and a sense of responsibility in the hearts of the students.
Nurturing Hearts Through Hands-on Learning, Planting the Seeds of Sustainability
The herb garden is much more than a fragrant corner of the school campus. It is a living classroom for hands-on learning and an engaging space for nature education. With their long flowering seasons and fragrant blooms, many herbs are excellent nectar plants, providing valuable food sources for pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies. Planting a variety of herbs together not only enriches the diversity of plant species on campus but also makes local biodiversity more visible and tangible to students.
The participation of L'Occitane volunteers brought additional warmth and positive energy to the activities. A total of 45 volunteers worked alongside the children, offering patient guidance and encouragement. Through their hands-on involvement, they demonstrated the company's commitment to environmental protection and education.
From Qingdao to Hangzhou and then Beijing, and from kindergarten to primary and middle school, the September herb garden activities made herbs a meaningful link between hands-on learning and personal growth. Across the three cities and three schools, children loosened the soil, planted seedlings, and watered their herbs together. Their hands were covered in soil, but their faces were filled with smiles. As the herbs took root in the earth, happiness and a sense of responsibility quietly took root in the children's hearts, too.
About the Organic Garden Program
As one of Shanghai Roots & Shoots' participatory, locally adapted sustainable development education programs, the Organic Garden was launched in 2006. By helping schools establish organic farms on their campuses, the project encourages students to use these familiar and accessible spaces as living laboratories. Through nature observation and hands-on organic gardening, students learn about the changing seasons and the life cycle of food, discover and document biodiversity on their school grounds, and explore the ecological wisdom embedded in traditional Chinese culture. In this way, they gradually develop a sound, science-based understanding of sustainable development.
As of December 2025, Shanghai Roots & Shoots had supported a total of 102 schools in establishing their own campus organic farms, including local and international schools across China. The project engages students at every educational level, from kindergarten through university.