John Muir School’s Pollinator Project

11.14.13-JMES-Markos_IMG_3426On Thursday, November 14, 2013 John Muir Elementary School in San Francisco was a-buzz with activity as parents, teachers, principal Chris Rosenberg, CommunityGrows staff and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined Markos Major, for a Pollinator Garden Project at the school. They planted California native and other climate-adapted plants, feed the garden’s Recology compost, sowed hundreds of cover crop seeds (fava beans and peas), and celebrate San Francisco’s biodiversity!
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As coordinator of the “Climate Action Now!” teen environmental education program Markos makes it his mission to communicate the connections between climate change and consumption choices. With a focus on empowerment through action, Climate Action Now! examines how everyday choices like composting and eating locally grown seasonal (mostly vegetarian) foods can help reduce the effects of climate change.
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One of the highlights of the afternoon came when the teens were planting in front of the school and Director of Programs, Nora Brereton discovered a tiny frog in one of the planter containers. It was a thrill rarely met with! After everyone had a chance to see the frog before Markos safely returned it to a pond in San Francisco.