It's Your Oregon: Rowanberry School

Angela Molloy Murphy: Portland, OR

With over seventeen years of childcare experience, two years ago Angela Molloy Murphy opened the Rowanberry School.  Serving about 13 children ages 3 to 6, Angela seeks to integrate art and nature into everything she does.

Murphy found out about the Eco-Healthy Childcare program, because her son went to Spindlewood Elementary, one of the first Eco-Healthy qualified childcares.  After learning about the program, Angela felt it was only natural that her childcare facility be recognized for the special effort they were making.  “I’m really excited to let people know what we are doing,” says Angela, “at first there wasn’t much parent awareness about the program, but now I have parents calling and asking if we are Eco-Healthy qualified.”

The most holistic ecological practice that Angela employs is using chickens to teach children about food and nature.  Chickens eat slugs and other pests in the garden and lay eggs that the children enjoy.  Additionally, the egg shells and chicken manure make great compost.  “Chickens offer an amazing way for the kids to see a whole ecological cycle. It’s wonderful,” explains Angela.

To further connect children with their environment, Rowanberry hosts seasonal parties.  “If we teach them to love the earth and the creatures then they will have no choice but to become environmentalists when they grow up,” says Angela.

One eco-tip that Angela employs is to use grapefruit seed extract to clean.  For example, Angela recommends washing ceramic bowls with grapefruit seed extract.

Of the Eco-Healthy Program, Angela says, “It reconnects the disconnect between children and the environment by encouraging life habits that support an environmental ethic.”

Click here for information on how to become an Eco-Healthy Childcare.