By Jonathan Tsou
Last Saturday, the Arboretum hosted the 37th Annual Los Angeles Environmental Education Fair. The point of the annual event is to get students from around Los Angeles County thinking about their environment and the many things that they do to care for it. The annual tradition was founded in 1991 by Dr. Jane Goodall.
The event with more than 60 exhibits, hosted by Arcadia Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and numerous non-profit environmental organizations, addressed issues such as drought-tolerant lawn alternatives, caring for trees during drought season, and understanding the importance of biodiversity.
Gary Wilkerson, one of the senior members of the Arboretum’s standing committee, indicated that the two primary goals of the event are to “celebrate the works of many agencies in promoting environmental education” and “to underline the awareness of a sustainable environment and stewardship.” He also said that he hopes that the more people bump into these ideas, the more people will remember to take renewable bags to the market and to plant-drought resistance plants when they go home.
Arcadia High School was well represented at the event, with hundreds of students attending the event and hosting booths. Students created many interactive games by incorporating what they learned in class, giving an educational and hands-on opportunity to those who attended the event. Jorge Munoz, one of the Environmental Science teachers who helped with the event, feels that the event helped his students put a face to the things they learn in class while them out of the classroom and seeing the environment.
Some major groups that attended included the County of Los Angeles Fire Department Forestry Division, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Orangutan Conservancy.
Throughout the day, a few organizations gave workshops and presentations. TreePeople, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that promotes sustainable urban ecosystems, gave a presentation about the importance of “Caring for Trees in the Drought.” Reptacular Animals, which is Southern California’s largest private zoo, presented a hands-on introduction of many exotic reptiles. The Arboretum also hosted a drought-tolerant landscaping at its own Crescent Farm. They gave considerations regarding the use of plants, microclimates, soils, mulches, and watering techniques.
For Exhibitors who would like to registration for next year’s event, please visit the Arboretum’s website.
