Pamela Berstler with G3 (The Green Gardens Group) taught the class and involved attendees (image at left: Pamela watching as landscape designer, Desiree East, applies CPR to a model residence). 3 people signed up to volunteer, and discussions afterward led to plans for conducting a Lawn Patrol in Goleta (northern neighbor of Santa Barbara). One group, Santa Barbara Green Living Co-op, is screening Surfrider's film, “The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water” on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 from 7-8:30pm at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Surfrider is partnering on the series with the City of Santa Barbara and Goleta Water District, and is getting support from other local and regional water agencies. George Johnson from the City of Santa Barbara's Creeks Division (below, right) spoke to the class about the Division's work. George answered questions at the Division's table during the entire class (plus he came early to open the room and stayed after to help clean up). Three interns with IV OFG (Kaitlyn, Erin and Kait), fresh off finishing final exams, showed up early to help set-up and check-in participants (below, left).
Next steps include:
RSVP to santabarbaraofg@gmail.com. Get more info on each program component at the OFG webpage.
The OFG Whale Tail grant also provides funding to conduct an OFG series in Ventura County. The Ventura County Surfrider Chapter plans to start that in early 2012.