Roger Klemm, a Shadow Hills resident, works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena where he writes, integrates, tests and operates software for interplanetary spacecraft and space-based research experiments. The Sunland Welcome Nature Garden is one of many community beautification and restoration projects he has completed since moving to the area in 1989. He presently serves as the president of the community’s Rotary Club.

In 2011, with the help of community volunteers, Klemm instigated the renovation of the Sunland Welcome Nature Garden.

 

THE SUNLAND WELCOME NATURE GARDEN

The creation of the Sunland Welcome Nature Garden involved removing an expansive hillside of invasive, combustible Fountain Grass from the city-owned property.

From there, Klemm began an extensive native plant propagation effort that included more than 50 different species and totalled several hundred plants. The garden was planted in 2013, and has expanded to the Wildflowering Annex across the street. As all gardens do, it continues to grow and evolve over time.

 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

 

Inspiration

• Necessity: Highly invasive Fountain Grass sat at the intersection of the 210 Freeway and busy Sunland Boulevard, posing fire hazards.
• Know-How: Roger Klemm recognized the danger and understood rewilding to be the solution.
• Community: As a hyper-involved resident of the area, Klemm believed he could
  count on friends, neighbors and area businesses to help improve and beautify the space.

 
Goals

• Free the community of a highly-visible patch of invasive Fountain Grass and educate the community about the dangers it presents, in wildspace and in gardens
• Create a garden of plants authentic to the Sunland-Tujunga area
• Keep water use to a minimum while increasing greenery, drought tolerance and mitigating fire danger
• Inspire community pride, cohesion and native knowledge

 
Drivers

• Initiator: Roger Klemm, Sunland-Tujunga Resident
• Designers: Cassy Aoyagi, FormLA Landscaping
• Advocates: Once the garden was underway, additional advocates joined in the fun, including the STNC Beautification Committee and the Love The Neighborhood Initiative.
• Maintenance: Roger Klemm and community workdays promoted via the garden’s Facebook page.

 
Budget

• Cost: $3800 for signage
• Mitigation: Roger Klemm propagated more than 50 species of native plants. At its peak the propagation effort involved several hundred plants, and generated an estimated savings of several thousand dollars. FormLA Landscaping donated design decomposed granite path installation. Community volunteers both removed invasive grasses and planted the propagated natives, rewilding the approximately 5000 square foot space. The city’s public works team was also supportive.

 
Funders

Grants: $2000 from Metropolitan Water District in 2014 for the signage project

Community: A crowdfunding campaign raised $1800 for interpretive signage.

In-Kind: City of Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification, FormLA Landscaping, Love The Neighborhood Initiative, Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council Beautification Committee, Theodore Payne Foundation, and 50+ people provided in-kind support for the initial renovation and others have provided support along the way.

 
 
Challenges

Removing invasive Fountain Grass is not easy, nor is preventing its resurgence!

The sheer expanse of the space meant we needed lots of plants.

A steep slope needed to be protected with deep roots and ember-catching, leafy canopy

Identifying local natives that can maintain hydration and greenery in Sunland’s hot, dry summers.

The site sits adjacent to heavy vehicle traffic including an abundance of 18-wheelers.

Increased use included people living in the garden, increasing the need for trash removal services.

 
 
Returns on Investment

Enhanced fire safety in advance of the nearby La Tuna and Creek Fires

Reduction of water-use from 2-3 times a week to 2-3 times a year.

Perpetual blooms and beauty.

Community participation, collaboration and relationships

Community investment in the gardens’ success and the space

Greater community use of the space

Increased community knowledge of and confidence in working with natives

Expansion of the gardens to the Wildflower Annex across the street

Community pride

Inspired additional native, fire wise gardens along Foothill Boulevard

 
 
Strategies to Replicate

A high-visibility site means people will quickly notice changes.

Choosing a site where safety, as well as beauty, can be improved.

Propagation of hyper-local natives, while difficult, provided substantial budget mitigation.

Adoption of the garden to assure the City that the work would be maintained.

Recruiting help – people want to contribute to their community’s beautification and safety!

Posting blooms, berries, butterflies, and work days to social media maintains engagement.

Include garden signage and plant IDs optimize educational value and encourage patronage.

 
 

Q&A with Roger Klemm

 

Timeline

 
2011

Roger Klemm begins propagating hyper-local natives.

 

2012

FormLA Landscaping completes the garden design.

September: Application package for the garden’s adoption submitted.

 
2013

February: City approves adoption of the garden.

March: Community removes Fountain Grass and installs natives over three weekends.

November: Beginning of expansion to the Wildflower Annex

 
2014

June: Official opening and dedication

$1800 crowdfunding campaign in 2014 for the signage project

 
2015

October: Interpretive signage and new monument signs are installed.

 
2017

Planting Day! 75 plants added.

 
2018

Spring: The garden is in full buckwheat-beauty and full of wildlife!

Summer: Rock borders added.

 
2019

October: The gardens are on the Theodore Payne Fire-Wise Tour!