Paso Robles, Virginia Peterson Elementary School Tree Planting

Virginia Peterson Elementary

Project Title: Virginia Peterson Elementary School Tree Planting

Description: During the fall of 2004, Lionel organized a tree planting event with students and teachers from the Virginia Peterson Elementary School.  Valley oaks, coast live oaks, cork oaks, sycamores, and redwoods were planted along a chain-link fence next to the school’s sports fields.  Additionally, with the help of neighbors, an empty lot between the school and adjacent residences was restored with oaks and redwoods.  Individual community members have turned out since to water, mulch and tend the plantings, and even plant more shrubs on their own.

OCE Work History:

Fall of 2004 – original planting

Project Status: established

Updates:

January 2009 – Lionel and I stopped back at the site with a friend from Montreal to check on the trees.  We found 90% well established and standing tall.  We also happened to talk to several neighbors about the project and found that they had been planting more and tending the old plantings.  – Greg

Paso Robles, Liberty High School Tree Donation

Liberty High School

**Updated (See Below)**

Project Title: Liberty High School Tree Donation

Description: Liberty High School already had an amazing environmental education program when Lionel found out about their need for trees.  Green Works, a program at the school, enlists students to benefit the environment.  Currently, the students are restoring a portion of creek that runs through an empty lot next to the school.  OCE has donated redwoods and oaks to the project and will continue to collaborate with the program as opportunities arise. **Read more below for updates**

OCE Work History:

Fall 2007 – Original tree donation.

Project Status: ongoing

Update:

Fall 2009 – OCE has reconnected with John Semenick and the GreenWorks program and is launching the an educational collaborative with the school.  October 8th marks the beginning of the program–Lionel and John will plant a few dozen oaks along the school’s fences to provide shade, windbreaks, and attractive landscaping.  The planting also begins the restoration process of a historically graded creek-side lot behind the school.  Over the next years OCE plans to work with the school to carry out the restoration of the site, developing a native plant nursery on the premises and training students in fields related to the work.  Click below for a description of our scheduled events at the school:

Paso Robles Liberty High School Tree Planting

Paso Robles Liberty High School Oak Lesson

Paso Robles Liberty High School Propagation Lesson