Autumn Update

Hello Friends.

Many new and exciting projects have taken place at our garden lately and we have a new UCSD intern who is dedicating her internship to helping us better care for our collection.
Kathy (Xiaoxi) was born and raised in Liuzhou, a very small but beautiful city in southern China. She and her family moved to Los Angeles when she was fourteen. currently Kathy is an undergrad at UC San Diego majoring in both Environmental Systems and International Studies. Kathy had this to say "I love Mother Nature a lot. I have always considered it as the greatest artist on the planet". Her special interests include plants, insects, and rocks (Yes, rocks too). Kathy says that this is why she enjoys her internship at the San Diego River Park Foundation very much--taking care of the Point Loma Native Plant Garden is really something that she likes to do. "For me, it’s not only fun and exciting to see every little improvement in the garden, but it’s also touching and heart warming to discover that the garden is actually maintained by enthusiastic volunteers".
Thanks Kathy, we really love having you around to help us out!

As for updates, Eagle Scout candidate Soren Umstot from Boy Scout Troop 500 in Point Loma finished the faux riverbed and foot bridge project on Saturday 10/11/08. That was a huge job and it looks great! Pictures will be posted soon.
Another scout, Will Mellor will soon begin to install nearly 40 plant ID Signs which is very exciting. Now garden visitors will be able to learn the names and attributes of these wonderful plants and hopefully use them in their own gardens. We have also just installed a new garden entry poster that is full of excellent information on the garden and its plants. Our thanks to Elizabeth Hanley, an SDRPF volunteer, for her design prowess. We would also like to thank Peter St. Claire of the California Native Plant Society for all of his guidance and dedication. Another thank you goes out to the Metropolitan Water District for their funding of the poster and ID Signs.

Finally a huge, giant thanks to Guthrie and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning. Brothers Ben, Matt and Andrew have adopted the garden as business sponsors and make monthly financial contributions to help us keep the garden healthy. Aside from money, the brothers have also donated two shiny new wheelbarrows to the garden and will join us for the twice monthly work parties. These guys are Ocean Beach locals and very dedicated and conscientious. If you need any heating or AC work, these guys will take great care of you. And for every service they perform for you, they will have a plant or a tree planted in your name at the garden. Call them at (619) 269-3013 or check out
http://www.sustainableheatingandair.com/index.htm


If you would like to join our fun little group for light gardening activities, we meet twice per month, the first Saturday and third Sunday from 9am-11am. We can verify community service hours for those that need them. For more info or, if you would like to be a garden sponsor, contact Richard at 619.297.7380 or via email at richard@sandiegoriver.org

ON another note, we plan to hold an open house at the garden on December 6th, 2008. Times to be announced. We will unveil the newly completed Eagle Projects and honor the scouts for their time and dedication.

Stay Tuned!