DANBURY, CONN. — The public is welcomed to help harvest kale, Asian pears, berries and herbs from the garden at Western Connecticut State University.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, between 10 a.m. and noon, members of the community are invited to join faculty, staff and students in “Permaculture Garden Community Day.” The garden is adjacent to the Science Building on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

WCSU Professor of Anthropology Dr. Laurie Weinstein has been the driving force behind the garden, a grassroots effort that serves as an interdisciplinary “classroom” in addition to forging community ties.

Once the bounty, which also includes onions, arugula, pole beans and corn, is gathered, it will be delivered to a shelter in the region. The garden has also partnered with the Danbury Food Collaborative. Volunteers from Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, both markets in Danbury, will be at the event.

Tools and snacks will be provided; gardeners are asked to bring gloves and wear appropriate gardening clothes.

After the harvesting, volunteers will then be asked to help clean and straighten up the garden to prepare for a garden dedication and visit from Dr. Jane Goodall on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. Tickets are still available for Goodall’s 2:30 p.m. lecture in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the Midtown campus and her book will be available for sale and signing by Goodall. Tickets for the lecture are $15 for the general public, $10 for students with I.D. and seniors, and $5 for children under 12. To purchase tickets, go to www.wcsu.edu/tickets.

For more information on the community day or to RSVP to help, send an email to weinsteinl@wcsu.edu.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.