TreePeople invites volunteers to help install 5,000 square foot native butterfly garden at Pacoima school September 15th

Volunteers invited to help plant a 5,000 square foot native butterfly and hummingbird garden at Telfair Elementary School in Pacoima

On Saturday, September 15th, students and volunteers of all ages from the school and community will join TreePeople in putting in a 5,000 square foot native butterfly and hummingbird garden – bringing nature to a part of campus where there was once only plain lawn.

This garden is expected to do more than beautify the schoolyard. It will be a living outdoor laboratory for students to study natural science, providing important green space. Research shows that access to nature increases students’ critical thinking abilities, attention to detail, and social development. In addition, studies show a strong correlation to better cognitive function, self-discipline, impulse control.

“The butterfly garden will provide our students with opportunities to witness the different stages of a butterfly's life cycle from an egg to a butterfly.  It will also enhance the beauty of the school's quad area,” says Principal Alfonso Jimenez.

“It’s a delight to see the excitement of the students, teachers and families who have been planning this garden to replace what was a hot, sealed schoolyard,” says TreePeople Regional Forestry Manager, Pam Gibson. “This area is going to come to life.”

About TreePeople

TreePeople  is an environmental nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and nature-based solutions to grow a sustainable future for Los Angeles. For nearly forty years, TreePeople has worked with communities to plant and care for trees and has provided environmental education for an estimated two million LA area children.

For further information on this project, contact TreePeople Regional Manager Pam Gibson, (310)228-8430. To register to attend (and receive the full details, visit http://www.treepeople.org/event/09/15/2012/campus-planting.