The remarkable transformation of the entrance to Loma Vista School is now complete.

After losing its stately pine tree to disease, the community led by the Midtown Ventura Community Council rallied to create a California Coastal Native Garden for the campus. The results are remarkable and will teach future generations that landscaping can be beautiful and drought tolerant.

A dedication ceremony will be held Friday, October 10, at 8:30 am on the campus, 300 Lynn Drive.

The major undertaking would not have been possible without the support of area businesses and the community volunteers, teachers, parents and students who donated hundreds of hours since the MVCC's Adopt-a-School Project started in May. Over 250 native plants such as the Santa Cruz Island Ironwood, California Buckwheat, Hummingbird Sage and Blond Ambition Grama Grass have been used to complete the garden.

We especially want to thank Clark Construction Group, Landscape Architect Brian Brodersen, Ventura Surfrider, Ventura Water, the Loma Vista PTA and Principal Marlene McMullen. The groups that donated are recognized below.

This is the third Adopt-A-School project the Midtown Ventura Community Council has completed, and no doubt the most ambitious.

California Coastal Native Garden major contributors include: Midtown Ventura Community Council; Loma Vista Elementary School PTA, staff & parents; Surfrider Foundation-Ocean Friendly Gardens; Clark Construction Group; Brodersen Associates Landscape Architects; Ventura Water; Ventura Rental; Pacific View Mall; Ojai Quarry; Stepstone Inc.; Lowes Ventura; Steven Holt; and Carol Lindberg.