A Rain Garden for Hawthorne, Just in Time for El Niño!

[Photo] Green Ambassadors and SpaceX Team up to build a rain garden in Hawthorne

On Saturday, November 21, 2015, Green Ambassadors students from Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) took part in a garden build with partners From Lot to Spot and SpaceX. The project took place at 120th and Crenshaw, where students and SpaceX employees met to dig in and beautify their community. The site had been identified by local community members and SpaceX employees as a space that would benefit from a little beautification.

From Lot to Spot brought all the tools our students needed to transform the corner into a beautiful rain garden. The rain garden will not only capture rainfall, preventing it from becoming urban runoff, but is a beautiful display of drought-tolerant and native plants.

While digging, the students encountered an unexpected surprise–a layer of asphalt about one foot beneath the soil which would prevent rainwater from soaking through to recharge LA’s dwindling groundwater. Not to be dissuaded, From Lot to Spot sped off to rent a jackhammer, which volunteers used to break up the asphalt and uncover the hidden soil beneath.

A very big thank you to our partners, SpaceX and From Lot to Spot for the well-orchestrated collaboration on this inspiring project and for giving our students a hands-on experience to contribute to their community.

[Photo] Danny Sanchez with Jackhammer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before, during and after the @fromlottospot , @ecsgreenambassadors and @spacex garden build at 120th & Crenshaw this weekend! The top left was before the garden was built, and the top right was after the soil was filled with California native plants! Our students are at the bottom next to their awesome handiwork! #Hawthorne #SpaceX #CaliforniaDrought #Environmental #DroughtResistant #ECS #ECHS #Gardening #Sustainability

A photo posted by Enviro Charter Schools (@enviroschools) on Nov 22, 2015 at 5:43pm PST