
Dunn School Gardening Club: Cultivate, Collaborate, and Connect
Welcome to the Dunn School Gardening Club, led by Louise Pankhurst. Embracing sustainability, this engaging initiative invites all Dunn School community members—including staff, students, and their families—to delve into gardening and build stronger community bonds.
Explore Diverse Planting Options
Experience the joy of gardening with a wide variety of plants. From nutritious herbs and vibrant flowers to delicious fruits and vegetables, discover the diverse world of plant cultivation at Dunn School.
Enjoy the Benefits of Gardening
Gardening offers numerous benefits beyond plant growth. Enjoy mental rejuvenation, physical activity, and social bonding through our holistic gardening experience.
Strengthen Community Connections
Join the Dunn School Gardening Club to forge lasting connections. Collaborate, discuss, and learn about gardening while building a supportive community network.
Dedicated Garden Care and Maintenance
Our dedicated gardening club not only maintains the wildflower patch but also tends to the surrounding herb gardens and planters made from recycled lab plastic.
Open to Everyone
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, our club welcomes you. Join us and be part of a thriving, sustainable community.
Ready to start your gardening journey? Contact any Green Group member at Dunn School to get involved. Together, let's grow a greener future!

Louise Pankhurst with Emma Eatough a Biodiversity Manager at University of Oxford in the front of Dunn School

Louise Pankhurst with Emma Eatough a Biodiversity Manager at University of Oxford at Dunn School


Louise Pankhurst with Emma Eatough a Biodiversity Manager at University of Oxford in the front of Dunn School
Dunn Space for Nature
As part of our commitment to biodiversity, the Dunn Space for Nature project focuses on enhancing local ecosystems while aligning with Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
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Education: Students and staff learn how to create wildlife-friendly gardens and make nature-positive decisions in daily life
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Community: The project demonstrates how even small urban green spaces can support biodiversity, reshaping perceptions about 'messy' gardens and ecological value
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Collaboration: We work with the University Estates team to design and maintain beds outside the School using nectar-rich flowers, ground cover, and berry-producing shrubs. Dead wood introduced as vital habitat for insects, fungi, and small mammals
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Global Impact: Through visible, nature-first planting schemes, Dunn School becomes a model for sustainable landscaping and inspires others across Oxford and beyond to reimagine green spaces as vital ecological resources
A wildlife portal between Dunn School and University Parks ensures safe passage for animals, while a log and brush pile in the shrubbery along South Parks Road offers critical shelter and breeding sites.
Dunn School Green Group Planter Initiative
The Dunn School Green Group has launched an exciting green initiative by purchasing 10 eco-friendly planters made from recycled lab plastic through Appleton Woods and MyGroup. These planters have been distributed to various labs and facilities across Dunn School, where they are now used to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs, primarily in the moat at the front of the main building.
Participating Labs and Teams
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EM Facility (Raman Dhaliwal and Charlotte Melia)
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Finance Team (Sheji Bhaskaran)
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Freeman Lab (Clemence Levet)
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Toropova & Roberts lab (Katerina Toropova)
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Trusts Office and Finance Office (Rachel Faulkes, Raquel Perez Marina, Mervat Zen Aldin)
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Raff Lab (Chia Chun Chang, Min Peng and Nada Mohamad )
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Slack Lab (Sarah Woodward)
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Stracy Lab (Lorena Blaya Martinez and Carolin Kobras)
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Walsh Lab (Katherine Ansbro)
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Workshop Team (Martin Smith)
Annual Dunn Drinks Green Awards
Celebrate the best in gardening at the Dunn Drinks Green Awards. Each year, we recognize and award the best-looking vegetable, fruit, or herb and its harvester for their outstanding contributions to this green initiative.

Planters in Moet of the Dunn School

Planters in Moet of the Front of the Dunn School

Planters with vegetables

Planters in Moet of the Dunn School