The Garden Classroom at Meramec
Where knowledge and nature grow together.
The Garden Classroom at Meramec is a living laboratory for students and a botanical garden for the STLCC community. An extensive tree collection and ten acres of native, woodland and ornamental gardens create a vibrant setting for hands-on-learning and the enjoyment of nature.
Industry leaders, faculty and students together demonstrate cutting edge technologies, innovative techniques and sustainable management practices in this hands-on learning environment. The 11-acre outdoor laboratory allows students and the community to connect with nature and cultivate passion for horticulture.
The Garden Classroom at Meramec is open to the public from dusk to dawn. If you'd like a tour of the Garden Classroom contact Jerry Pence, horticulture program coordinator, jpence@stlcc.edu.
View the map of our Garden Classroom
Help us Grow the Garden
The Garden Classroom Master Plan
Horticulture program leadership, faculty and the Meramec community have been developing plans for the Classroom Garden. Improvements will elevate the student experience and further exemplify excellence in horticulture, accessibility and sustainability. The Garden Classroom will be the premier training ground for students of horticulture in the region.
Distinctive features of the plan include:
| Pavilion classrooms | Stormwater management gardens | Green infrastructure demonstrations |
| Perennial trials | Increased canopy cover | Tree walks |
| Native perennial collections | Urban farm amenities | Annual displays |
| Pollinator and wildlife habitats | Walking paths and comfortable seating | Wayfinding and interpretive displays |
Opportunities to Help
Initial fundraising efforts have been supported by program friends and industry partners. Further support from the community will allow the project to break ground in 2021. Your support of the Garden Classroom will ensure our students, the community and the industry have room to grow. Please consider making a pledge or gift to support this initiative. Your dollars will make a direct impact on the student experience. Gifts will fund initial construction documentation through final tree plantings. In addition, there are extensive naming opportunities, from benches to pavilions. For more information, contact Jerry Pence, horticulture program coordinator, at jpence@stlcc.edu or 314-984-7374.