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Occidental College presents
From Lawn to Habitat: Native Landscape Restoration at Occidental’s Center for Community Food & Resilience
A student-initiated project to transform the Center for Community Food & Resilience’s turf lawn into a vibrant native landscape designed to educate and engage the surrounding community.

The Lawn to Habitat project transforms the turf lawn at Occidental’s Center for Community Food & Resilience (CCFR) into a thriving native plant garden with water catchment infrastructure that is designed to educate and engage the surrounding community. The project showcases a model for successful collaboration, as well as the potential for LADWP’s Turf Replacement Rebate Program to restore vibrant native landscapes and habitats. This year’s work culminated with a community education event on the Theodore Payne Native Garden Tour, with students sharing their knowledge about native plants with over 700 community members. The team continues to expand upon their work, with plans to return to the Theodore Payne Native Garden Tour again next year.

Faculty Lead:
Sharon Cech and Rosa Romero

Students:
Graham Luethe, Owen Lee, Ellie Chang, and students in the UEP 247: Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Landscaping Practicum course.

Collaborating Partner:
The Theodore Payne Foundation, The Urban Homestead, RadLands, and Occidental College’s Facilities Dept, Office of Sustainability, and Center for Community-Based Learning.

Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 5: Thriving ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity.

Premiere Segment

Presentation Materials

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