Showcase Feature
Teachers Melody, Jessica, and Genie, all long-time Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour participants, viewed the large, sometimes brown, ecological wasteland of a lawn at the school’s entrance as potential habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies—and as an inviting outdoor learning lab for students. With support from the facilities director, who hoped to reduce water use, the turf was replaced with beautiful, sun-loving native plants that attract wildlife as well as children.
The success of the front garden inspired the transformation of additional beds throughout campus, including the brand-new Grizzly Hill playground, designed with native plants. In addition, the TK teacher, Whendy, was inspired to transform the city-owned space in the park across the road into a native garden, which she did,
Other Garden Attractions
• Check out the school’s newest garden, which is intertwined within a playground. Grizzly
Hill was inspired by the book “Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas forSchoolyard Transformation” by Sharon Danks. Designed by Bay Tree Design, this playground features areas for children to explore while surrounded by native trees and plants.
• The Transitional Kindergarten has its own space right across the road from the school. In cooperation with the City of El Cerrito, the garden at the entrance to the TK building features native plants, which are tended to by the teachers, students, and their families.
Gardening for Wildlife 
Furry bumble, iridescent green sweat, shiny black carpenter, and busy honeybees gather pollen and nectar from the seven types of manzanitas and various sages. Monarchs sip nectar from our local native milkweed (grown just for them!). Songbirds and hummingbirds are drawn to the toyon and fuchsia.The front garden is open to grazing by deer.
“Native Plants in the Schoolyard: how these vibrant hubs of learning are used in every classroom, and have been embraced by faculty, staff, and families” by Science Teacher Melody Gil
Video
Creating Native Gardens in the Schoolyard – with Melody Gil and Steve Harrington
You can do it!! How to convert your school lawn to a native plant garden guide
“How to convert your school lawn to a native plant garden” by Kelly Marshall, owner of Kelly Marshall Garden Design
Photos
Click to see as a slideshow:
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- Screenshot
