LMC Nature Preserve is a Habitat for Wildlife and Learning
Students in Christine Hagelin's Environmental Biology and
General Biology classes. They have been working for several
years planting California native plants on a one acre site at
Los Medanos College. The plants along with a pond provide a home
for wildlife like the monarch butterfly and the Anna's
hummingbird. This national certification program certifies
schools which provide the four components for wildlife: food,
water, cover, and places to raise young. There are currently
over 65 species of native plants growing on the site. Most of
them tolerate clay soils, intense summer heat, and drought. They
are therefore quite suitable for both residential and large-
scale landscapes. Fertilizer, when needed, is provided by the
compost made on site with leaves and grass from the campus. One
former student, Jennifer Garcia, "especially liked going to the
Nature Preserve and learning new things like making compost and
what makes the compost heat up." Wood chip