Under Construction, please bear with us as we update the website.
The Gardens at Magnolia
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Our mission is to develop a biodiverse campus allowing the students to interact with nature in a positive way that promotes mental health, physical well-being, environmental stewardship, and sustainability in an engaging learning environment.
Why a Garden?
Restorative Environments - "an environment-often a natural setting-that rejuvenates a person and can help restore depleted attention resources or reduce emotional and psycho-physiological stress." (1)
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"Monarch populations in the United States have plummeted more than 80% in the past two decades" (2)
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Interdisciplinary Learning Opportunities - Blending skills and content for example Science to English. (3)
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In a "study [where subjects were blindfolded, results] show[ed] that people experience an unconscious calming reaction to touching a plant" (4).
Access to Daylight, increases test scores between 5-14% (5).
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"Involving the students in observations and maintenance of the gardens, the ecosystems and the buildings' sustainability systems and incorporating these observations within their studies allows for a more immersive experience and for better educational outcomes (Franco et al., 2017)." (6)
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"Biodiversity - The number and variety of species found within a specified geographic region." (7)
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"Green schools provide a clear opportunity to connect students with curricula in environmental and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, and they can serve as tools for interactive lessons across all subjects." (8)
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The EPA defines environmental education as “a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.” (9)
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"More trees and vegetation was associated with higher scores on standardized tests" (10).
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Our
Plan
Author: Christina McManaway
Magnolia Elementary PTA Historian, Garden Chairperson, LFA Living Future Accredited Professional (a green building standard)
2021-2022
Current Projects
Narnia (The Vegetable Garden)
Monarch Butterfly Gardens
Butterfly Nursery Enclosure
Outdoor Classroom
Earth Day Insect Release
Planter and Bench Repairs
Where
To Start
Narnia is currently being cleaned
in preparation.
In November we will be planting 3
varieties of Milk Weed for our
butterfly gardens and vegatable
seeds for the vegetable garden.
Challenges
We Are Facing
Some planters lack working
irrigation
Narnia's wood planter boxes need
replaced - Meanwhile we will
still use them
Links for
Research
(1). dictionary.apa.org/restorative-environment
(3) Kellert 2005 Building for Life: Designing and Understanding the Human-Nature Connection
Department of Education Green
Ribbon Schools: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/cagrsaward.asp
Green Ribbon Framework: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/framework.xls
(4) Koga, K., Iwasaki, Y. Psychological and physiological effect in humans of touching plant foliage - using the semantic differential method and cerebral activity as indicators. J Physiol Anthropol 32, 7 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-32-7
(5) Heschong, Lisa. Heschong Mahone Group. “Windows and Classrooms: A Study of Student Performance and the Indoor Environment.” California Energy Commission: Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Fair Oaks, California. 2003b.
(6) https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/learning-spaces-biophilic-design-in-schools
(7) https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bioversity
(8) https://www.centerforgreenschools.org/green-schools-are-better-learning
(9) https://www.teachhub.com/classroom-activities/2020/03/how-to-improve-sustainability-in-schools/
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2022+*
Future Projects
Improve Irrigation and Water
Efficiency
Hummingbird Garden
Butterfly Houses
Bluebird Village
Native Flower Garden
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*Or When Funds Become Available
How
Will We Fund It
Personal and Business Cash
Donations via Our Website
From Parents
Grant Writing
Donation Request Campaign -
Letter Writing and In Person
Meetings
Activities
For Students
Planting Seeds
Garden Maintenance
Harvesting Vegetable and Seed
Conservation Lessons
Nature Journaling
Outdoor Physical Education Documenting Milkweed Plants
Monitoring Caterpillar Life Cycle
Nutrition Lessons
Monitoring Bluebird Boxes
in Spring
Integrated STEM & STEAM
activities
Document Plant Growth Observe
the Patina of Time
Butterfly & Ladybug Releases
Additional
Resources
RCRCD (located on Palm Ave)
Teaching Materials, Native
Milkweed Planting, Bluebird
Monitoring Program (and
much more).
iNaturalist - Western Monarch
Milkweed Mapper
Christina McManaway
Chairperson - Biophilic/Wellness Designer
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Kerry Mauck
Etomologist at UCR
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Judy Wade
Donations
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Sarrah Lavergne
Riverside Food Council
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Scott Berndt
Fox Farms
berntplants.blogspot.com
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The Garden Commission
Department of Education
Green Ribbon Schools
Learn more about the Green Ribbon School Award Program and what is needed for our 2022 application:
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Thank You to Our Generous Donors
