The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains and children from the Malibu Boys & Girls Club kicked off the groundbreaking event for a Native Plants Teaching Garden Project at Malibu High School on Aug. 11.
The RCD, through a grant program funded by the State Water Resources Control Board Proposition 50 funds, is planning to install a native plants teaching garden, designed by Sara Alexander of Rodriquez & Satterthwaitte Design Build Landscape. The site is currently covered with weeds and contains a large, corrugated steel pipe that receives runoff from a parking lot and the school, and drains it into a creek behind the property. The project is designed to allow for parking lot runoff to flow through the garden, filtering out pollutants such as car oil, greases, sediment and heavy metals before entering the creek. Water quality monitoring is a component of the grant project.
In addition to protecting the creek, this project is expected to beautify the parking lot area and build upon the efforts of the Cornucopia Foundation, which has also created a teaching garden at the school.
Other project benefits, according to the RCD, include creating wildlife habitat, improving the riparian corridor and landscaping with drought resistant species.
“This project will serve as an example to the community to beautify their yards with attractive, water-conserving plants,” wrote Robin Hull, the RCD’s interim Malibu Creek Watershed coordinator.
The ground is being prepared for the initial planting event, which will take place on September 8th. Students from Malibu High School will participate in the planting, but the event is open to the public. Those wishing to attend should contact Irene Quinones at 818.597.8627 ext. 101.