California Native Garden Foundation and Students Join Forces to Build ‘Character Creek’ Garden at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School

SARATOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an effort to ensure that critical native plant species do not become extinct on its grounds in the Oak Woodlands area of Saratoga, Calif., Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School today announced the completion of its Character Creek Garden. Funded with a grant from the California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF) and a gift from its 2010 graduating class, the garden is named in honor of the school’s Character Counts program that its students and staff strive to incorporate in their daily lives: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

“Native plants play critical roles in the ecosystem, providing wildlife habitat, contributing to water quality, flood management and soil stability”

“The Character Creek Garden fits in perfectly with our commitment to our natural environment and the overall sustainability goals of the school’s strategic plan,” said Harry V. McKay Jr., Head of School, Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School. “Native plants are now the centerpiece of our campus, and over time we hope to serve as a resource to both the community and other educational institutions to study the science and ecology of the Oak Woodlands habitat.”

Karen Phillips, former chair of the school’s Sustainability Committee, was responsible for initiating the project and organizing parent volunteers to maintain it during the school year and throughout the summer months. In addition to funds for planting materials and native plants, the CNGF grant included design services to restore the native habitat and create educational opportunities for Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School students.

“Native plants play critical roles in the ecosystem, providing wildlife habitat, contributing to water quality, flood management and soil stability,” said Alrie Middlebrook, president, California Native Garden Foundation. “Plants that have naturally lived on the school’s grounds for millions of years are absolutely beautiful for garden usage, and they provide an excellent opportunity for students to learn about their historic uses for food, medicine, ceremony, and tools by local Native Americans and early pioneers.”

Middlebrook is also the founder of ELSEE (Environmental Laboratory for Sustainability and Ecological Education), a childhood outdoor learning laboratory in San Jose. Saint Andrew’s has been invited to make use of ELSEE’s facilities and its lesson plans to bring the sustainability message to Saint Andrew’s classrooms and students' homes. ELSEE will help schools comply with California’s environmental literacy plan that mandates an environmental education for grades K-12 so that after a certain age, citizens will have a basic knowledge of the environment.

About Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School

Founded in 1961, Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, Pre-K through 8th grade day school. Saint Andrew’s offers a traditional academic program with enrichment in the areas of the studio and performing arts, physical education, foreign languages, technology, character development, and community service. For more information visit www.st-andrews.org.