214 Vista Bella Dr.
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Selecting plants based on the climate of the area is essential to a healthy garden. Here Karen chose plants that are well adapted to full sun. -
Karen uses drought-tolerant California native plants and Mediterranean plants ideal for the Santa Cruz coastal climate. -
Karen benefits from having her garden situated in a redwood grove. The trees provide a constant supply of additional mulch, shade the soil to increase water retention, and house beneficial predators and pollinators. -
In the backyard, Karen grows a variety of ferns which are well adapted to lower canopy of the redwood forest.
Santa Cruz High School Garden
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The garden harvests rainwater which is later used by the students to help water their vegetable garden. Growing food can use a lot of water, so harvesting stormwater helps to build a more water resilient community. -
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Global Student Embassy teaches the students of Santa Cruz High important ecological practices like composting, cover cropping, and cultivating the soil. -
Students are able to grow food in raised beds separated by mulched paths. -
Located behind the school's athletic fields, the garden gives students a place to meet and work together around the common goal of good land stewardship. -
The garden frequently experiences damages from pesty moles. One way to work around this issue is to build planter boxes.
Natural History Museum
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Just behind Sea Bright Beach, visitors can explore the native habitat restored with help from the Earth Steward's program. -
Pink flags are used to help staff and volunteers identify and preserve native plants for their educational programs. -
The museum uses native grasses along with mulched paths to help water infiltrate into the soil. -
The Natural History Museum has two rain barrels located on either side of the building to help catch rainwater and irrigate the surrounding vegetation.