Monrovia Community Garden Pilot Program Wins Sustainability Award

The MonroviaCommunity Garden Pilot program received an Award of Merit in the Green Regioncategory from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

The SCAGSustainability Awards Program encourages innovative planning to improve themobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability for the Southern Californiaregion.

Launched inJuly 2019, the Monrovia Community Garden provides a space where residents,garden plot holders and other organizations can garden and learn through activeeducation. The garden operates with best practices when it comes tosustainability including installing an irrigation system to encourage wisewatering practices, filling garden beds with organic matter like compost, brownwaste and cardboard, generating compost with an onsite compost bin andinstalling a bike rack to promote gardeners and visitors to walk or bike,rather than drive to the garden.

“Peoplechanged their evening walks to see the garden take shape,” said Dr. KristinRitzau, garden director. “Now it is a beloved beacon of sustainability andhealthy living, inspiring active participation in the community and beneficialeating and cooking practices.”

In less thanone year, the Monrovia Community Garden Pilot Program has generated:   

• Over 800hours of community service by volunteers.
• 500 poundsof produce grown.
• 2 tons(4,000 pounds) of food waste composted, which diverted from landfills.
• Over 200children participated in garden crafts and planted seeds at community events.
• 125community members attending workshops and education events.
• Over 1,100 feetof Deodar Cedar Urban Rescue wood used for raised beds instead of being woodchipped.

The garden,located at 303 W. Colorado Blvd., on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and ColoradoBoulevard, is open for the public from sunrise to sunset.

For moreinformation on the Monrovia Community Garden, visit cityofmonrovia.org and monroviacommunitygarden.org, “Like” Monrovia Community Garden on Facebook and follow theMonrovia Community Garden on Instagram @monroviacommunitygarden.

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