About The Urban Garden PROJECT
Origin Story
The Urban Garden Project came to life as a program of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG).
DUG is a leading independent, nonprofit organization
focused exclusively on community gardens, established in 1978.
DUG's robust funding, structure, and longevity have made it a model for organizations
from around the world, working in the community garden space, seeking best practices.
In 2022, we began quarterly forums to get to know our peers and realized
there was a genuine hunger for a peer support organization.
In 2026, we stood up The Urban Garden Project as a, stand-alone, independent nonprofit.
Community Gardens Can Save Us
By simply and efficiently cultivating food, community, and climate resilience,
community gardens help remedy some of society's most significant challenges:
- access to affordable, fresh, healthy, hyperlocal, nutrient-dense, culturally-relevant food
- the ongoing epidemic of loneliness
- the disappearance of critical "third places"
- urban and peri-urban ecosystem degradation
While millions of community gardeners and garden leaders are
gloriously growing food and building community around the world,
community gardens require secure space, reliable funding, bylaws, etc, just like any other civic institution.
The Urban Garden Project was established in response to an overwhelming demand for support
from community garden organizations worldwide,
seeking community and thought partnership
to ensure they not only survive, but thrive.
🌿 If you’re part of a community garden organization
🌿 If you’re interested in supporting, partnering, or advising
🌿 If you want to help build something meaningful at a global level
This is not a gardening site. We're pollinating a movement.
Having the UGP as THE national peer learning space has been very helpful in my work…particularly in connecting with similar agencies who have navigated areas that are unchartered for us. UGP members have been generous with their advice…on conflict resolution, funding, gardener ratios & partnerships.
Anna Mines, Community Gardens Project Manager, Honolulu
URBAN GARDEN PROJECT MEMBERS
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Contact Us
e (email): info@theurbangardenproject.world
t (tel): 720.250.7003
m (let's meet!): https://calendly.com/linda-theurbangardenproject/30min
c (community): Join The UPG Online
Copyright © 2026 The Urban Garden Project - All Rights Reserved.
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