Ballona Institute, June 4

BALLONA WETLANDS

...an environmental treasure in our own back yard 

Photo of Great Horned Owl by Jonathan Coffin

You may have heard about the 600+ acres of the Ballona Wetlands just to the south and west of Mar Vista. But have you visited this wild habitat where coyote and the beautiful and rare White Tailed Kite hunt?

Drop by the Green Tent on Sunday, June 4, to learn more about these fragile and beautiful wetlands, which are a mosaic of different habitats: seasonal ponds, wet meadows, salt pannes, sand dunes, prairie grassland and more!

Photo of Coyote by Jonathan Coffin

Biologist Roy Van de Hoek (perhaps you know him from the Feathers & Foliage walks in Mar Vista or have seen his Blue Bird houses in our trees) and Marcia Hanscom, Executive Director of the Ballona Institute will be on hand to talk with you. Ballona Institute is known as "The Voice for nature on the Los Angeles Coast."

Learn about Ballona Institute's latest campaigns, including the most important one of all - the threat that bulldozers we once chased from the Ballona Wetlands are threatening to return! Stop by to learn what YOU can do to help save the Ballona Wetlands again!

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Photo of one of the historical sloughs at 
Ballona Wetlands by Marcia Hanscom

lick here to learn about the threats and treasures at Ballona. And watch this video to see just some of the miracles at the water's edge.

Master Gardeners, May 28

Look what they've grown for us!

The UC/Cooperative Extension LA County Master Gardeners return to the Green Tent with lots of green goodies to share. Join them May 28 from 9 am to 1 pm for megadoses of veggie power that they grew expressly to give to YOU—and you can choose packets of seeds to grow as well—all for free! Don’t forget to bring your garden questions, too.

Everyone loves cherry tomatoes and the sweetest ones of all are the Sun Golds. They’ll be there — in limited supply so stop by early.

Then, make a summer salad with fresh green beans — you can choose from pole beans (which you need to stake or trellis) or bush beans — (hint: they grow like a bush!).

And these are fun on the grill: Patty Pan Squash. 

The kids will be thrilled to have these Jack Be Little pumpkins to play with but you can take them in the kitchen and stuff them for a dinner special! 

Don’t let your burger go without a pickle: they’ve got cucumbers for you to make your own—just add some vinegar, sugar (or not!) and spices for a quick refrigerator pickle (but wait till the cukes have actually grown…)

You can slice up some tomatoes for that (beef or veggie!) burger too:  they’re bringing beefsteak and black Krim tomatoes for your delectation. 

And what would life be without a few herbs? Enjoy basil and cilantro, while supplies last!

Please remember to bring your empty plastic six packs so the master gardeners can grow more plants for you.

Here’s an early heads-up: The Master Gardeners will NOT be at the Green Tent in June — so stock up in May! But you can rely on their website to help get you through the month: Here are helpful articles http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/Gardening_Articles/
And for monthly tips on what to do in the garden, visit: http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/Garden_Tips_for_Los_Angeles_County/

Straight Trash Talk, September 10

Green, Black or Blue Bin - Where does it go?

Are you a recycling expert? Stop by the Green Tent this weekend to test your knowledge with a sorting game, learn about the recycling process and commit to reducing waste. Get your recycling questions answered. Hear from a recycling pro and learn what to do with your Household Hazardous Waste.

In 2015, Californian’s produced 4.7 lbs of trash per person, per day and diverted 63% of waste from landfills, but we can do better! The City of LA’s goal of zero waste is within reach as long as residents are expert recyclers! Recycling right saves natural resources, decreases pollution and saves landfill space.

Guest Rachel Adell is a local Mar Vista resident and self-proclaimed enthusiast of all things trash and recycling. Her love of garbage fuels her blog Straight Trash Talk and earned her a job in local government working on municipal recycling, education and policy. Rachel’s goal is to share her love of waste and help the public understand their role in waste creation and reduction.

Art Lee, May 7

DIY Personal Solar Projects

See this vehicle at the Green Tent

Do you have a small project such as a green house, garden fountain or a circulating fan that could be powered by one or more solar panels? Do you have a tiny home or RV and would like power without hooking up to the grid? Or maybe you are a backpacker and would like to have power to charge a GPS, cell phone, and flashlight batteries deep in the woods. 

By now most of us have heard of solar panels. Many people have installed them on their rooftops.  The energy generated by those panels go directly to the "grid", so during a power outage, we do not have access to the electricity they generate.  

Come to the Green Tent on May 7 and learn about installing your own personal solar panel for small projects or emergency power for your cell phone, laptop, or ham radio.

Guest presenter Art Lee is also an expert on home greywater systems. Bring your questions!