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Reviewed by: Tove Aitchison, Life Science teacher and UCCE Master Gardener
Location: 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 (626) 821-3222, GPS coordinates 34.142519, -118.053130, and a link to Google Map.
Description: This field trip is to the Los Angeles County Arboretum. In this field trip the focus is on sustainable gardening. The arboretum is a private/public collaboration between the arboretum foundation and the department of Parks and Recreation. The mission of the arboretum is to "cultivate our natural, horticultural and historic resources for learning, enjoyment and inspiration. We strive to reflect Southern California’s distinct climate, community and openness to new ideas. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th century treasures."
In 1947,the site was purchased for the arboretum. In 1955 the arboretum was officially opened on Sundays. In 1956, the arboretum opened 7 days a week. Access is good for visitors of all ages.
Audience: This field trip would be great for students in a life or environmental science class. Also, any homeowner who wanted to learn how to grow food in their limited backyard space
Science Concepts Addressed:
Plant life cycles - the arboretum is partners with Seed Savers. Through this partnership they are helping to preserve diversity in our food, and encouraging people to be more capable of managing the food crops they grow in their own garden.
Human Nutrition - at this field trip to the arboretum we will be visiting the backyard orchard, and small space gardening.
Soil food web - at the arboretum the soil food web is very important. In the organic garden they are composting, thus helping to educate the public about the benefits of composting to recycle garden wastes back into the soil and feeding the mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. As the mycorrhizal fungal population flourishes less water will be needed.
Composting - at the arboretum you will find many different methods of composting. Including cold composting and vermiculture.
Water conservation - at the arboretum they practice water conservation. They do this with rain water harvesting, and by using low water drip irrigation.
Study Guide:
Map:
Photographs:
Here is a photo of the raised bed set-up they have for growing fruits and vegetable organically in a small space. By growing the soil food web, they are gardening in a sustainable manner.
Here is a good picture showing how by choosing to garden vertically they are making the most out of their limited space.
Here is a photo of some of the cold composting bins at the arboretum. They also have displays located close to this of worm composting.
This rain barrel is very low due to our historic drought. However, this display shows how rain water can be harvested in our area.
This picture shows how drip irrigation can be used in the fruit and vegetable garden to water your crop and eliminate water waste.
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