native plants on campus

After doing some research for the landscaping team on the issues of water use and native plants on campus, I think that it would be valuable for our school to get students involved in the selection and planting of native plants on campus. If Occidental was to hold an event where students could get together and physically participate in the planting of native species, this would be a great way to raise consciousness around the issue as well as give students the sense of personal agency that is often missing when trying to effect change in a bureaucratic institution. This would provide students a fun and educational way to get involved in environmental issues on campus. This is a project that could easily be taken up by the environmental club, future stewards or incorporated into a CSP or ecology class and used as an educational tool about the flora of the region. If people saw students they knew participating in this project it would create a campus wide dialog surrounding the issues native plants and water use that otherwise never occur to many students. This would also provide an exciting opportunity for students to learn about the ecology of the southern California, helping foster a sense of place and stewardship towards the local region.

Although it’s not really feasible that students will start managing planting on campus (there are obviously people who are hired to plan and maintain campus landscaping) I think it would be beneficial and exiting for the entire Occidental community if students were to work with the people in facilities to orchestrate at least one event each semester where students could participate in the planting or upkeep of native species on campus. Another possibility would be to establish a student-run native plant garden where students were deemed the responsibility to choose, plant and maintain the vegetation. There are already a few places that have native species on campus, most notability the garden behind the Marketplace, but it would be great if there were another native species garden in a more visible location and organized by students.
Although this reflects the curriculum at my Montessori grammar school, I think that the establishment of a student run garden has the potential to create a sophisticated dialog surrounding the issues of native plants and water use that are of particular relevance our community and the greater region of Los Angeles. I think that the establishment and upkeep of this kind of garden could fit well into a CSP class for freshman about the history and continued relevance of water use and native plants in Southern California. There is plenty of literature surrounding these issues both from a historical, social, political and a scientific standpoint. This could even be incorporated into the California environment CSP class that they are holding this year. I am not sure how feasible the creation of this kind of garden is, but if established it would be of great benefit academically, socially and aesthetically to our community now and in the future. Any Thoughts?

Comments

[michael jones]

A wonderful idea. Garden issues should be a big part of school community work. students should spend time considering how to make the school appearance better. And as to me the best way is through plants.