Media Corner

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2009

Firebaugh High School Receives New Irrigation System for Student Garden

Director Rudy Montalvo meets with the Environmental group at Firebaugh High School

Commerce, CA - Central Basin Municipal Water District has partnered with Firebaugh High School in the City of Lynwood to install an irrigation system in the School's community garden. The large demonstration garden has enriched the environmental awareness of many a student. However, due to the lack of funds, it was designed and planted with no irrigation system in place.

"Although funds are tight, when the school approached Central Basin to partner in this project, we felt compelled to step up and help," said Director Rudy Montalvo, Central Basin's Board Vice President. "The water-efficient irrigation system was the missing piece to this otherwise impressive community garden project".

Central Basin donated $1,500 to cover the funds needed for this worthwhile project, and with the irrigation equipment in hand, the school community went to work. The garden club, along with school staff, hosted a volunteer work party to clean and prepare the garden area for the new irrigation system.

Firebaugh High School is fortunate to have a sizeable demonstration garden on campus as well as a large garden club that includes parents, teacher and students. However, the club was spending two to three hours each day painstakingly watering the entire garden by hand, according to school staff. Now, with the new irrigation system in place, the garden club can spend more time learning about the environmental benefits of growing food and less time on manual watering.

"In keeping with Central Basin's efforts to encourage environmental stewardship, the Firebaugh High School irrigation project is a great example of the community coming together for the good of the school and its students for years to come," said Director Montalvo. "We are proud of the work the school is accomplishing though this community collaboration."

To learn more about water conservation and free California Friendly Gardening Workshops offered by Central Basin, visit www.centralbasin.org.