Girl Scouts work hard at breaking up the ground, so planting can take place.
Digging in the dry rock-hard dirt at the corner at Los Liones and Tramonto Drive, were 10 members of Girl Scout Troop 223, led by Eagle Scout candidate Cameron Lovett.
Each candidate must select a project for a religious institution, school or community, and must plan, execute and then lead other Scouts in fulfilling the requirement. Lovett used this planting/beautification as her service project to fulfill that Eagle Scout obligation.
Lovett had to follow several steps before actually starting project to plant and beautify this corner. It is seen by thousands of hikers, who routinely drive past it to hike on the Los Leones Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.
First, she obtained approval from the Castellammare Homeowners Association, then she consulted with Noa Rishe, environmental scientist and coordinator with the California Department of Parks & Recreation. Rishe assisted with choices of local native plants for the corner.
She also had the girls use chicken wire protection above ground as well as root wire below ground to prevent damage by gophers.
Cameron located a neighbor, Morgan Urbanek, who offered to help with watering until the plants were established.
Then it was the hard work of digging, planting and landscaping which occurred on the weekend of August 9 and 10. The result is striking.
Resident Cindi Young, who puts on the Castellammare News Flash, wrote, “All I can say is FANTASTIC!” and she added “Brilliant job!”
The troop plans to maintain the corner and add more native plants as needed.
If a resident has an opportunity to drive by the corner, say a silent “thanks” to these Girl Scouts, who are taking their time to making the neighborhood better.
A trail is made and numerous plants are now in the ground, thanks to the Girl Scouts.
Just an update on Scouting; The Boy Scouts of America is now doing business as Scouting America. This Eagle Scout project was done by a Scout with Troop 223 of Scouting America! Scouting American does not use girl or boy in youth titles.
This is not a Girl Scout project, since Girl Scouts of the USA is a different organization focusing on girls exclusively and they use the term Girl Scout.
A delightful service project and a job well done. Let us hope it can be maintained.
I have more rocks if needed to define the path — from a trenching project a few years back to upgrade panel . .always thought the big rocks would be useful for another project!