San Diego students created 39 wildlife gardens in 4 years; 25,000 sq ft of habitat restored

Nearly 350 San Diego high-school students have spent the past four years turning school grounds and community spaces into native wildlife gardens, helping create or restore almost 25,000 square feet of habitat through 39 gardens. The work is part of the Native Biodiversity Corps, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance programme launched in 2022 to give students hands-on experience in conservation. Participants learn about native plants, wildlife and habitat restoration before designing, planting and maintaining gardens with guidance from conservation professionals. The gardens are intended to provide resources for pollinators and other local wildlife in urban areas while giving students practical conservation skills. The programme has also expanded beyond schools, with students helping transform an unused golf-course space into a native garden.How San Diego students created 39 wildlife gardensThe Native Biodiversity Corps began in spring 2022 with funding from San Diego's Level Up programme. More than 300 urban high-school students registered within 72 hours, while about 100 students were selected for the inaugural programme. Participants spent the summer visiting conservation sites inc...