How the Program Works
California Native Gardens is an innovative program
offering tools and resources for public agencies, schools, clubs and
organizations throughout Southern California, to spread the message
on conserving water through the use of native and drought tolerant
plants.
The California State University at San Bernardino
Water Resources Institute (WRI) develops partnerships with the communities
it serves to promote sustainable water supplies and healthy watersheds. The
WRI conducted a Statewide Landscape Water Use Survey that found that
homeowners would respond to a landscape water conservation message that
came from “a child
in the family.”
Working with the water agencies in the Inland Empire and Native Grow
Nursery, the WRI developed an opportunity for children to act as messengers
to parents and other adults while selling Water Conservation and Native
Habitat Gardens (a set of 8 plants shipped directly to the purchaser’s
door with planting and care instructions) to raise needed funds for school
programs. Some
schools are giving purchasers the option of donating the plants to the
school for on-site gardens or to a local park or native habitat project.
Teachers love the program because children learn about water conservation
and how drought-tolerant native plants provide habitat for native species.
School and public health officials love the program because children
are selling a healthy product, not the candy and cookie-dough that has
dominated school fundraising. And parents love the program because the
program conveniently delivers the plants at just the right time for spring
planting.
Non-profit organizations and service clubs wishing to participate are
eligible to participate in the Garden program earning funds to support
community activities.
To get started, please proceed to the Native Gardens http://www.calnativegardens.org/garden.html section
of this website to view the different gardens that are available. After
choosing your garden(s), please proceed to the order forms page http://www.calnativegardens.org/order.html and
print both the order form and the OnTrac (formerly California Overnight)
electronic waybill. Simply fill out both forms and fax them to your participating
school.
All Spring 2008 orders will be shipped late April – mid-May by
OnTrac directly to your door. Help your local schools by
purchasing a garden for yourself, your friends, and/or donate the garden
to your school.
If you would like more information on implementing this fundraiser in
your school, club or organization, please contact us. mailto:julie@nativegrow.com.
