Girls Scouts Celebrate Arbor Day in the Garden

Saturday April 30th, the young ladies from Nipomo Girl Scouts, appeared in the Nipomo Native Garden like lovely blossoms following the Spring rains. Sixteen members from Troops 230, 540, 554, 703, & 1014, along with their leaders and parents, arrived early in the morning with shovels, trowels, and young Coastal and Valley Oaks ready to plant. The Girl Scouts were there to participate in their chosen Community Service Project for Arbor Day, and what could be better than planting young oak trees in the Nipomo Native Garden.

The enthusiastic scouts were quickly organized by their leader Joyce Leavitt and under guidance from NNG President Larry Vierheilig, planting sites were chosen for each Oak tree. The scouts, with the assistance of their troop leaders and parents, quickly and skillfully planted each tree, which were then watered and flagged for drip irrigation installation at a future NNG work day.

Following the tree planting, the scouts returned to the fire pit seating area for snacks and an impromptu Q&A session, fielded by Larry Vierheilig and Greg Doudna, on the history of the Nipomo Native Garden and its numerous plants. After the snack break the Girl Scouts and their leaders broke up into smaller groups and explored the numerous trails and sites within the garden. Many of the plants were identified, animal burrows discovered, numerous birds spotted, and some had the opportunity to see rare native orchids, “Michael’s rein-orchid” (Piperia michaelii), preparing to bloom deep under the old oak canopy.

The members of the NNG committee were very pleased to host the Girls Scouts for the morning and want to give a big “thank you” to them for the new Oak trees planted within the garden. We were delighted to have the Girl Scouts spend their observance of Arbor Day with us in the garden and plant beautiful Oaks that will benefit current and future generations of visitors to the garden. It’s organizations like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, who come to the garden each year to participate in community service activities, who will be responsible for the future successes in the garden.

Individuals or organizations who would like to participate in development and maintenance activities within the Nipomo Native Garden can contact our volunteer coordinator Greg Doudna by phone 929-6649 or e-mail at participate@nipomonativegarden.org