Principal Rumble with students in the Esperanza School Natural Habitat Garden.
Located at the edge of downtown Los Angeles, Esperanza
Elementary School seems like a surprising place to find a natural habitat
garden filled with California native plants. It is home to a variety of
insects, birds and other wildlife. For the students at the school it is an opportunity
for hands-on science as they observe the cycle of life through the seasons.
Welcome sign for my visit.
Since my first visit to Esperanza School in 2018 and
getting a tour of their natural habitat garden I have been going back almost
every year to meet with students and find out how the garden has been growing.
Last week I met with third-grade students and their teacher Elizabeth Williams.
We began in the library where I did a presentation about my books and what it
is like to be an author. I was impressed by the students’ enthusiastic response
and by their knowledge of the natural world. When I asked if they knew the word
for animals that are active during the daytime, they knew that it was “diurnal”. Nighttime animals are "nocturnal".
Teacher, Mrs. Williams; librarian; Principal, Brad Rumble, in the school library.
After the presentation we all went on a tour of the
habitat, led by Mrs. Williams and by Principal Brad Rumble. Recent rains had
promoted new growth and spring wildflowers were beginning to bloom. Huge patches
of lupins were sprouting everywhere.
These bright red blooms are a favorite flower for hummingbirds. Below, lupin sprouts on the ground.
Mr. Rumble, an avid birdwatcher, has
turned the students into expert bird watchers too. On our visit they spotted a
number of species, including a pair of house finches. In class the students are
learning to distinguish the differences between Anna’s hummingbird and the Rufous
hummingbird. They told me that more than 80 species of birds have been identified in the
garden.
Student discovering a small clump of wild grapes.
It is always a treat for me to visit Esperanza. It is
a delight to see the students learning about the natural world and becoming
young scientists. I thank them for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with
me. And I thank Brad Rumble for his leadership at the school and in the
community.
The Schoolyard Habitat Program is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.
The Esperanza garden is a National Wildlife Federation certified Wildlife
Habitat. The property provides the four basic habitat elements needed for
wildlife to thrive: food, water, cover and places to raise young.
