Where Every Day Is Earth Day

Every eighth grade student at the Journey School in Aliso Viejo must complete a project. But not every student is handed the campus to enhance.

Cyreine Adams, 13, was inspired to build a rainwater harvesting system after hearing Brad Lancaster speak to her class at Journey School.

“Lascaster is the rainwater harvesting hero,” Adams said.

Eighth grade students find a mentor for their project. Adams asked Jodi Levine, a Journey School partner from Earthroots. Levine supports the school’s ecoliteracy program, which begins educating students in kindergarten about the practice and importance of sustainable living.

For several months Adams and Levine did research and began making plans for their rainwater harvesting system, which would catch the rain from the front office building on the Journey School campus, and direct it underground to nurish the soil of a native garden. They spent time online reading how-tos, made the proper measurements of the building, purchased pipes and equipment to direct the water and picked proper drought tolerant native plants that would survive from the natural rainfall in Aliso Viejo.

Once all the planning a research was completed construction began. It took about three days to complete, two of which included heavy labor. Adams, Levine, students and volunteers from the community, carried out much digging and planting of native plants, donated by Tree of Life Nursery.

“There was a lot of sweat on those days,” Levine said.

During the interview with Patch Adams and Levine were happy to get their hands dirty again to explain the project. They both jumped into the native garden and began digging deep in the soil to uncover the puddle of water that still remains from the last rain.

“It was good work,” Adams said. “I was glad to go home when it was over, sleep and dwell on the success.”

Levine said they have already seen changes to the garden, which has drawn in insects and creatures. They haven’t seen it yet, but recent droppings and nibble marks on the leaves suggests a visiting rabbit.

“It is calling in and supporting the local ecosystem,” Levine said.

Check out the photo slideshow above to see pictures of the Journey School rainwater harvesting system.