Field trips are a treat, yet habitat restoration can take place on the schoolyards themselves. To many, the traditional school landscapes of juniper and ivy are uninspiring.
By planting native gardens, the schoolyard can become:
RON staff work with students to design and plant their native garden.
Some gardens are designed to attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds. Others focus on specific plants used by the Native Americans.
**Attention Teachers**
The Monterey Bay Master Gardeners are offering grants of $500 to teachers who wish to start gardening projects for their classes. Please check these websites for more information and an application. http://smartgardening.org/ or http://montereybaymg.ucdavis.edu/
There is still money available for the current year and grants are renewable at least for a 2nd year.
Looking for help with your school garden? Did you get a state garden grant? Great! Return of the Natives (RON) would love to be involved in the planning and installation of your garden. RON provides help with the native plant part of your garden. If you are interested in starting a vegetable garden at your school, we are partners with the Monterey County Farm to School program who can assist with consultation and installation of your garden.
Gardens are great! Your garden can enhance the learning experiences of your students; they provide endless opportunities of teaching science, language arts and math, a connection from the garden to healthy eating and needed active time outdoors.
Want to cover state standards outside? RON can visit your school garden to provide activities based on any standard you need to cover. We have a ton of wonderful state standards aligned activities and can modify lessons to your needs.
>Birds, Bees & Butterflies! California natives are adapted to the area and therefore native insects and wildlife are dependant on the habitat provided by native vegetation. A native plant garden will bring exciting wildlife visitors and residents.
> Reduce the use of water: Native plants are also adapted to the unique climactic conditions of this area and one established require little or no supplemental irrigation. California gardens conserve a scarce natural resource and save money on water costs.
>Enjoy a low maintenance garden: Natives tend to grow more slowly than traditional ornamentals and require less work at garden chores such as mowing, pruning and fertilizing. Perfect for the busy life of schoolteachers and maintenance crews!
Native Garden Plant Signs: RON has beautiful native plant signs to add to your garden too. Each sign has both the common and scientific name of the plant, its habitat, time of bloom, and a fun fact about the plant. Completed they are $5 per sign or you candownload themand make them your self for free!
Free Native Plants!!! Return of the Natives can provide some natives for your garden but we have another wonderful resource with Dana Mills Helman! Dana is a retired teacher from the Alisal School District who grows native plants free for school gardens from her home up San Benacio Road. Contact: home (831) 484-5755 cell (831) 915-1959.
For assistance with school gardens please contact:
(831) 582-3687 or email: emily_smith@csumb.edu
** We strongly encourage all teachers interested in receiving support from Return of the Natives to attend our Saturday teacher workshop. The workshop this year will be held on Saturday, September 29th from 8:30am to 4pm.
Wonderful Resources:
http://www.laspilitas.com
