Ocean Friendly Gardens Program: 2011 GAP Workdays

Garden Assistance Program (GAP)

Some Chapter OFG Programs have initiated a Garden Assistance Program

(GAP) to help those who have attended an OFG class apply CPR© -

Conservation, Permeability and Retention - to their gardens to transform

them to respect the climate, provide food and wildlife habitat, and avoid

run-off. GAP applicants must first fill out a GAP Application. We will

schedule a workday when you submit a completed questionnaire

and attach a garden design/layout.The Application guides you through

doing your "homework:"

creating a design
gathering all materials before the workday
inviting neighbors
providing food and drink
agreeing to pay-it-forward

At GAP Workdays, an orientation will be held to explain each step

before we do it. A Surfrider Chapter OFG groups will put out the call to its

volunteers and past OFG class attendees to come and help you - like a

barn-raising. We ask that GAP recipients see themselves as models for the

neighborhood, sparking action by sharing new knowledge and helping

others create OFGs. We welcome everyone to help at GAP workdays and

learn by doing, even if they haven’t attended one of the OFG classes.

Note: You must wear closed-toe shoes to participate.

Everyone must sign a liability waiver, and those under

18 years-of-age should get one signed before coming

to the event.

West LA/Malibu Chapter Workday

When: Saturday, February 26, 8am-12pm

Where: Franklin Elementary School, 2400 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403 (map)

What: Converting a 2,000 sq. ft. lawn into an Ocean Friendly Garden. The site will be prepped for volunteers to do these fun things on the day-of:

properly planting native plants
correctly installing drip irrigation
applying mulch

Who: The event is co-sponsored by ELLE Magazine and Aveeno/Active Naturals. The project sponsors expect to bring out 50 people, so it'll be an active spot for the size of the landscape. It's a good opportunity to apply what is taught in OFG Basics Classes and Hands-On Workshops.

Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water bottle and snacks.

ELLE/Aveeno will be providing a special food + spa treatment after the event to 20 active WLAM volunteers. Contact Darcie at dfitzpatrick@surfriderwlam.org to see if there are any spots left! Click here for more info on the after-workday events.

Here's what the site used to look like, and the process to prep it for the workday: