NATURAL HABITAT SCHOOL GARDEN: A Hotspot of Diversity in the Middle of Los Angeles

Natural Habitat Garden, Esperanza School, Los Angeles, CA

Just a few blocks from the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles is an amazing garden filled with native California plants. A few years ago it was just an empty patch of dirt tucked into a corner of the playground at Esperanza Elementary School. Now the plants have grown tall and are competing with one another for space. For students at Esperanza it is an opportunity to observe nature up close. I learned on my recent visit that the garden has been named a hotspot of diversity for the richness of its plants and wildlife.

Principal Brad Rumble

Principal Brad Rumble, who has been key to the creation of the garden and also an avid bird watcher, told me that 80 species of birds have been identified at the school. On a bulletin board inside the school, “Observing Our Natural History”, students compared the two species of hummingbird found in the garden—Anna’s and Allen’s. (In my yard at home we have just Anna's hummingbirds.)

Observing Our Natural History: Hummingbirds

Last week I visited Esperanza for the first time since 2020 and I was amazed to see how much the garden had grown. I did presentations in the library with third and fourth grade students of special science teacher Elizabeth Williams. 

Teacher Elizabeth Williams

Presenting to students in the library.

I always love to see the students’ enthusiasm for nature and was pleased with their good response to my presentation. Before they went back to their classrooms each of them was given one of my books for me to sign. I know it is very special for them to have a book signed by the author. 

With students in the garden.

After my presentations, Mr. Rumble, Mrs. Williams and some of the students took me on a tour of the Habitat. The students at Esperanza have become young naturalists, learning how to identify plants and wildlife in the garden. I was so impressed by the student who spotted a dragonfly perched on one of the plants. I had to look carefully to see it at all, and the dragonfly was so well camouflaged that even in my photograph it is hard to spot. 

A path through the garden leads to a weather station.

There is always something new to see in the garden. I have been visiting Esperanza almost every school year since 2017. (There was a gap during the pandemic.) I look forward to going back next year and seeing how much the garden has grown and changed.

Dragonfly.

Blog posts of my previous visits to Esperanza: August 18, 2017, June 13, 2018, November 21,2018, February 26, 2020 .

 

REBUILDING NATURAL HABITAT: A Visit to Esperanza School, Los Angeles

The garden at Esperanza School is part of the Schoolyard Habitat Program (supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Last week I returned to Esperanza School in Los Angeles (which I visit every year) to talk with the fourth graders in Mrs. Elizabeth Williams’ natural science class. They meet twice a week, both in the library, where I made my presentation, and in the school’s natural habitat garden. The students love to learn about animals and have been reading my books.

With teacher Elizabeth Williams in the school library

As I arrived at the school I was greeted by Principal Brad Rumble, who shared with me some of the many activities going on at the school. He is an enthusiastic bird watcher and passes on his love of birds to the students. In the hallway outside the main office is a bulletin board where students are recording their observations about red-tailed hawks, large birds that they often see soaring over the school playground.

Esperanza Elementary School is located at the edge of downtown Los Angeles

Several years ago Brad Rumble initiated the conversion of part of the school’s asphalt playground to a natural habitat garden area for plants native to southern California. I have visited the garden every year and seen the progress from scattered plants surrounded by dirt to a garden bursting with growth. As students visit the garden throughout the year they are learning to identify plants, insects and other wildlife, and observe the differences in growth during each season.

Lupins

This was my first visit to the garden in spring. Bright blue lupins were blooming everywhere and hundreds of bees were buzzing around the blossoms collecting nectar and pollen. A few orange California poppies brightened one corner and numerous other spring flowers were also in bloom.

Thermometer and Rain Gauge

In one corner, a thermometer showed the temperature to be in the seventies, a warm day for February. Next to it, the rain gauge was empty. Although February is typically the rainiest month of the year, this year there has been almost no rain. A drip system and hose can be used to water the plants during dry periods.
I always enjoy my visits to Esperanza and seeing the evolution of the garden. This year I was delighted to see new garden areas that have been planted in the main courtyard of the school, with trees for shade and other native plants. With each new bit of natural space, the school is becoming a true oasis for wildlife in the heart of the city.