The Vandal Farms Community Project develops a master plan for Miami High School featuring native Sonoran Desert landscaping, outdoor learning areas, interpretive signage, rainwater harvesting, and agricultural programming. The collaboration emphasizes equity, resilience, and strengthened community connections.
Researchers
- Professor Margaret Livingston – Project Lead
- Jianjie Ma – Graduate Researcher
- Raul Berrellez – Graduate Researcher
Community Partners and Consultants
- Miami High School Faculty
- Miami High School Students
Project Details
- Budget: N/A
- Location: Miami High School, Globe/Miami, Arizona
Project Timeline: Conducted during the academic project period (year not specified)
Project Overview
The Vandal Farms Community Project for Miami High School, Arizona focuses on development of a master plan that will create a landscape plan for the school with emphasis on native Sonoran Desert shrubs, trees, and groundcovers for various spaces within the area. Interpretive signage, gathering and classroom areas, rainwater harvesting, and agricultural procedures were included in the plan. Focus on equity, resilience, and connections are a few of the guiding principles of the collaboration.
Project Description
The Vandal Farms Community Project for Miami High School in Arizona centers on developing a comprehensive master plan and landscape vision for the campus. The plan emphasizes native Sonoran Desert shrubs, trees, and groundcovers to create climate-responsive, low-maintenance outdoor environments across multiple school spaces. In addition to ecological planting strategies, the project incorporates interpretive educational signage, outdoor gathering spaces, and flexible classroom areas that support hands-on learning. Rainwater harvesting systems and agricultural procedures are integrated to model sustainable resource use and strengthen the school’s agricultural programming.
Guided by principles of equity, resilience, and community connection, the collaboration aims to create a landscape framework that supports student engagement, enhances campus identity, and lays the groundwork for future development of a community-oriented agricultural center.
Impacts & Outcomes
- Created a comprehensive master plan to guide future landscape and agricultural development at Miami High School.
- Supported integration of native Sonoran Desert plants to promote sustainability and reduce long-term maintenance needs.
- Introduced concepts for outdoor classrooms, gathering areas, and interpretive signage to enhance student learning experiences.
- Provided a framework for rainwater harvesting and sustainable agricultural practices on campus.
- Strengthened connections between students, faculty, and the surrounding community through collaborative planning.
- Delivered a design package that positions the school to develop a long-term community agricultural and learning center.
Project Gallery
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