Landscaping for Schools & Youth: March 2008 Archives
In the City, many of us humans are living in close proximity to our
fellow members of the universe. We have to share our living space, our
watershed.
Cities abound with wild nature! In fact, a large percentage of Earth's biodiversity exists in urban or urbanizing areas, which are often adjacent to larger wild areas.
It is more accurate to say that cities are in nature! Cities are embedded in the natural environment - the geology, watershed, climate and biodiversity - of whichever place on Earth where they develop.
As of 2005, more people live in urban than in rural areas for the first time in Earth's history. Urban nature is critical for connecting half of the world's people with the natural environment. Connecting city dwellers with their local nature and watersheds is critical not only for building support for the conservation of faraway places, but also for the ecological restoration and stewardship of biodiversity at home.
Read more about:
Cities abound with wild nature! In fact, a large percentage of Earth's biodiversity exists in urban or urbanizing areas, which are often adjacent to larger wild areas.
It is more accurate to say that cities are in nature! Cities are embedded in the natural environment - the geology, watershed, climate and biodiversity - of whichever place on Earth where they develop.
As of 2005, more people live in urban than in rural areas for the first time in Earth's history. Urban nature is critical for connecting half of the world's people with the natural environment. Connecting city dwellers with their local nature and watersheds is critical not only for building support for the conservation of faraway places, but also for the ecological restoration and stewardship of biodiversity at home.
Read more about:
Ecological Impact of Human Cities
The benefits of greenscaping know no commercial/residential borders!
By planning "Multi-function" into your landscaping, you can serve the aesthetic and cooling needs of the commercial landdacape at the same time that other needs of our community are served. Plants can be good for wildlife habitat, or herbs for the company snack bar/cafeterial, or even greens for salads. Employees might even like to take home a sack of tomatoes or lemons occasionally to spice up their family dinners.
By planning "Multi-function" into your landscaping, you can serve the aesthetic and cooling needs of the commercial landdacape at the same time that other needs of our community are served. Plants can be good for wildlife habitat, or herbs for the company snack bar/cafeterial, or even greens for salads. Employees might even like to take home a sack of tomatoes or lemons occasionally to spice up their family dinners.
Some edible landscaping plants include:
- Kale: this old fashioned vegetable is enjoying a revival because it is loaded with nutrients, is easy to grow, and provides a beautiful fountain of gray green foliage. Kale is loaded with calcium, iron and vitamins.
- American cranberry bush features bright red berries in later summer, which people and birds love to eat.
- Rose hips are produced in abundance on rosa rugosa plants. This shrub makes a great barrier plant and can tolerate growing near salt water.
AB 1535 also provides $15 million in seed money for schools to develop
a school garden or to expand existing ones for academic instruction.
The California Department of Education will soon award 72 percent of
that amount to schools that have requested funds. The remaining money
will eventually be offered to schools on a competitive basis once the
criteria have been established with the help of the Advisory Group.
Cal. AB 1535 is providing significant money to 526 LAUSD schools to develop and/or sustain school Gardens. The funds are being administered through the Network for a Healthy California-LAUSD and the LA Calif School Gardens Network.
For more information on California’s School Gardens Program, please visit School Garden Program Overview - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education.
Learn more about this California community gardening program.
Cal. AB 1535 is providing significant money to 526 LAUSD schools to develop and/or sustain school Gardens. The funds are being administered through the Network for a Healthy California-LAUSD and the LA Calif School Gardens Network.
For more information on California’s School Gardens Program, please visit School Garden Program Overview - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education.
Learn more about this California community gardening program.
