Eagle Scout Devin McGloin from Boy Scouts of America Troop 11 in Redlands dedicated his water conservation garden on the campus of Redlands High School (RHS) on Monday, Aug. 19. The dedication and placement of a plaque commemorated the more than 700 hours of work provided by almost 60 volunteers and contributions of donors that helped transform the area between the main gym and pools.
“The transformation is amazing,” said Director Manny Aranda when he presented Devin a conservation recognition award from the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, one of the sponsors.
“From the beginning, the project’s purpose was to demonstrate the water conservation benefits of drought-resistant landscaping. These plants result in an 80 percent reduction in water consumption over traditional gardening practices while improving campus aesthetics and simultaneously educating the public, showing that a garden landscape can be both beautiful and conservation minded,” said Devin.
Troop 11 installed this educational garden funded in part by the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. “Devin’s volunteers turned three planter areas from weedy grass into an excellent example of drought-tolerant space with real visual interest which will require little maintenance,” said the Conservation District’s General Manager Daniel Cozad. “We were proud to be part of a diverse group of sponsors Devin organized to make this project a reality.”
Devin coordinated donations of plant and irrigation materials from nurseries, growers and several businesses. Water districts and private donors provided in-kind support and funding for items that Devin could not get donated. In addition to the Conservation District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Adam Hall Nursery, Home Depot, DIG Corporation, Ponderiffic Adventures, ESRI, Hines Growers, Flanigan Construction, The Scotts Company, and Altman Plants all contributed to the project.
RHS Principal Christina Rivera, recently retired Assistant Principal Michael Munoz, Devin’s family, and several donors attended the dedication. Celebration will be short as Devin is leaving California this week to attend New York University where he will be majoring in Global Liberal Studies with a focus on entrepreneurship.