Summer Educator Conference: Planting Seeds, Growing Stewards

Breaking Ground: Starting Your Native Plant Garden! 

Want to start a native garden and don't know where to begin? Join Horticulture Senior Program Manager Maya Argaman, from California Native Plant Society staff, in this engaging and informative workshop where we will dive into planning, designing, and growing your garden with native plants.

Fossil Flora: Revealing Past Environments Through Ancient Life 

Join La Brea Tar Pits Post-doc Researcher Jessie George and Indigenous scientist from the Nawa community of Kwawximalpan, Tekpatl Kuauhtzin. In this session you will learn how earth’s history is dynamic and plants are some of the best storytellers. We’ll dive deep into stories of climate and environmental change from the perspective of ancient fossil plants. We’ll talk through what fossil plants have taught us about life through time in Los Angeles and what methods paleobotanists use when studying fossil plants. Participants will discuss classroom application of topics, take part in hands-on reconstruction of temperature with leaves, and be provided resources to carry out the activity in the classroom .

Painting the Way (A dialogue of Tongva Literacy of Environment)

Join Lazaro Arvizu Jr. and Desiree Renee Martinez for Painting the Way (A dialogue of Tongva Literacy of Environment). As part of the school/educational programming for The Broad’s Pacific Standard Time project, Social Forest: Oaks of Tovaangar, this workshop illustrates the recognition of plants, rocks, animals, water, and land as relatives, and their importance in shaping the process of Maxaax or teaching. Imparted by educators from the Tongva community, the workshop includes a lecture followed by a painting exercise.  An online curriculum covering these and additional topics will be available for teachers in August. To receive further information, please sign-up HERE. 

Social Forest: Oaks of Tovaangar is a Getty-founded Pacific Standard Time project. 

Centering the unique cultural, historical, and environmental context of Los Angeles in partnership with Tongva (Gabrielino) leaders, The Broad is undertaking a public reforestation and reconciliation project inspired by Broad Collection artist and environmentalist Joseph Beuys’s 7000 Eichen (7000 Oaks).

Exploring Monarch Butterfly Conservation on Field Trips 

Join Evelyn and Rachel, from the Audubon Center at Debs Park, and together you will delve into understanding the cycles and habitat of monarch butterflies. You will explore life cycles, milkweed, and some other monarch essentials. This session will highlight how we’ve collaborated with community members and organizations to build monarch habitat and integrated community science data collection into our field trips.

Theresa Lujan, M.A, M.S., is honored to serve as an educator and coordinator of the Marine Science Academy at Channel Islands High School within the Oxnard Union High School District. With a career spanning over 23 years, Theresa has dedicated herself to teaching English and Science, ranging from sixth to twelfth grade. Her passion for environmental studies and biotechnology led her to pursue a master's degree in Biotechnology from California State University, Channel Islands. 

In 2019, Theresa joined a research project at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, where she studied molecular genetics, applying biotechnology to environmental studies. This experience reinforced her passion for native plant conservation and restoration. Theresa's commitment to fostering environmental stewardship led her to develop a skills-based curriculum for the Marine Science Academy in 2020, focusing on sustainability, conservation, and restoration, using native plants as a cornerstone for learning. 

Under Theresa's guidance, students at the Marine Science Academy have undertaken the remarkable initiative of operating a native plant nursery and garden. They have produced over 3,000 plants this year, contributing significantly to local habitat restoration projects and the enhancement of their school community. 

Theresa's vision extends beyond the classroom, aiming to increase the presence of native plants throughout Oxnard. With her blend of academic expertise and practical experience, Theresa Lujan embodies a pioneering spirit in education, empowering students to make a tangible difference in their environment while cultivating a deeper understanding of science and conservation.

Tony Tubbs was born in California and has lived here for 58 years. He resides in Trabuco Canyon with his wife, Kari. They have four children, three sons and one daughter. Tony has been a high school Physical Education and Science teacher for 33 years. He is currently teaching Biology and Environmental Field Studies at Tesoro High School in Las Flores. He is also the Ecology Club Advisor. After many years taking classes out to the environment that surrounds Tesoro, which primarily consisted of non-native weeds and grasses, Tony and his students decided to embark on a native plant restoration effort. Their goal was to not only increase the biodiversity of species around the school, but also to educate others regarding the value and importance of planting natives. Tony loves to get as many people as possible involved in Tesoro’s restoration efforts. Biology and Field Studies students, sports teams, school clubs, feeder school students, scouts, and community members all lend a hand in constructing Tesoro’s three distinct native plant areas: the California Native Plant Garden, the Nature Trail, and the Sustainability Garden, which includes an outdoor nursery.

Kyoko is a speech therapist at a public school in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. She enjoys volunteering in her school's gardens and learning about native habitats.