PS Science - October 18, 2026 at the Mar Vista Green Tent

 

Sprouting Curiosity: The Wonder of Seeds!  

Big Life in Small Packages

Seeds come in an amazing range of shapes and sizes, from orchid seeds as fine as dust to the coco de mer palm, whose seed can weigh more than 40 pounds!  Many of the foods we eat every day are seeds too: rice, beans, walnuts, corn, and even the cocoa beans that become chocolate.  No matter how different they look on the outside, nearly every seed is built from the same three parts: a protective seed coat, a supply of stored food, and a tiny embryo- the baby plant waiting for its chance to grow.  Seeds can stay dormant for incredibly long periods (over 1,000 years!), waiting for the right mix of water and warmth to begin the process of germination.  Seeds are also a cornerstone of healthy ecosystems- feeding birds, insects and other wildlife while carrying the genetic diversity that helps plants adapt to a changing climate. 

Becoming a Seed Scientist

At the Mar Vista Green Tent on Sunday, October 18th, participants who stop by the Green Tent will get an up-close look at the world of seeds!  Visitors can observe up close different kinds of seeds, learn about how they work, and conduct a seed dissection to try and identify the different parts of a seed.  Along the way, they’ll discover how each part helps a new plant get its start in life.  Come by and see just how much is packed into something so small! 

PS Science

PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  

Grow Your Own October 4, 2026

Why Grow Your Own ?

Beauty, serenity, exercise, food and environmental stewardship…these are some of the reasons that you might want to grow your own plants. You can start small and take a leaf or stem from a friend’s succulent, throw it in some soil, and give it minimal attention or you can transform your own garden into a pollinator habitat that provides both food and beauty for you, your family, your neighbors and the hundreds of local pollinators and creatures that are desperate for our assistance. Many plants are also great at keeping carbon in the soil and out of the atmosphere, thus reducing global warming. And if you decide to go big and plant treees, you will also be providing shade that actually lowers the temperature of the earth. Your actions make a difference, so get inspired and inspire others!

We will have kale, dill, lettuce, oregano and more!

Two kinds of lettuces!

 


Garden School Foundation - August 26 at the Mar Vista Green Tent

 

Mission

Garden School Foundation provides in-depth garden-based education to youth at Title I schools in Los Angeles, strengthening connections between food justice, environmental stewardship, and community health. By using the full transformative potential of school gardens as teaching sites, we nurture a healthy and mindful generation of children who care for their bodies, their communities, and the earth.

We currently serve eleven Title I elementary schools, reaching over 3,800 students and their families each year.

2005 — Planting the First Seeds

In 2005, when a large expanse of blacktop at 24th Street Elementary was about to be resurfaced, a coalition of educators, neighbors, community organizations, and concerned citizens seized on the opportunity to transform the paved lot into a 1.5-acre garden classroom. Their goal was to use the garden to address the links between poverty, lack of access to fresh food, and academic performance. The nonprofit Garden School Foundation was formed to support these efforts.

Today, as one of the largest such gardens in LAUSD, 24th Street continues to thrive and have a profound effect on students. The garden has become a treasured resource, deeply embedded in the lives of students’ families, neighbors, and like-minded people from across the city. Our unique Seed to Table curriculum of gardenin

Plug-In Solar - September 20, 2026

Plug-In Solar is just a signature away…

If Governor Newsom signs this bill, you can have the sun deliver energy to your home after January 1, 2027!

California Senate Bill 868 (the Plug and Play Solar Act) has passed both houses . Just waiting for Governor Newsom to sign the bill.

Would you like to plug into your outlet and start collecting electricity from the sun. No fees. No permits. 100% safe

When it becomes law, SB 868 will make these changes:

  • No utility approval needed: Utilities cannot require pre-approval, applications, or fees for these systems.

  • No local permits: You won't need expensive building or electrical permits. You can treat the solar kit like a regular home appliance.

  • 1,200-watt limit: Systems are capped at 1,200 watts. This is enough to power a refrigerator, Wi-Fi router, or TV.

  • Strict safety features: Systems must be certified by an independent testing group. They must include a safety switch that instantly turns off the solar power during a blackout to protect utility workers.

  • No credits for extra power: These devices only lower your current energy bill. You will not get paid for any extra power you send back to the grid.

The bill has cleared the California Senate and is moving through the Assembly. 

 

Grow Your Own

Why Grow Your Own ?

Beauty, serenity, exercise, food and environmental stewardship…these are some of the reasons that you might want to grow your own plants. You can start small and take a leaf or stem from a friend’s succulent, throw it in some soil, and give it minimal attention or you can transform your own garden into a pollinator habitat that provides both food and beauty for you, your family, your neighbors and the hundreds of local pollinators and creatures that are desperate for our assistance. Many plants are also great at keeping carbon in the soil and out of the atmosphere, thus reducing global warming. And if you decide to go big and plant treees, you will also be providing shade that actually lowers the temperature of the earth. Your actions make a difference, so get inspired and inspire others!

 

Spider plants - Nature’s Air Purfier!


Houseplants and Phytoremediation

Spider plants, like many other houseplants, are very good at purifying the air in your home.   They absorb chemicals through their leaves which then travel down to the roots, where soil microorganisms break them down into less harmful compounds.  The process is called phytoremediation. Most leafy houseplants do it to some degree, although spider plants have a high leaf surface area, a fast transpiration rate, and the ability to tolerate a wide range of indoor conditions. 

Learn more about the benefits of Spider Plants at: 

https://www.beangrowing.com/spider-plant-air-purifying-benefits/

Compounds Absorbed by Spider Plants

Airborne toxins from paint, nail polish, adhesives, cleaning products, and cigarette smoke. These include Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide and many others.

Grow Your Own Plants for Free!

Grow new plants from cuttings. branches and leaves.  Succulents, spider plants, plumerias and more!  You can have it all with a little help from your friends and a few supplies that can easily be found around your home.  Create your own circle of plant swappers. Learn more about starting new plants from cuttings: 

https://www.wikihow.life/Propagate-Succulent-Plant-Cuttings

PS Science - March 8th at the Mar Vista Green Tent

 

Food Chains in Action: Lessons from Owl Pellets

Food chains show us how energy moves through an ecosystem- connecting plants, herbivores, and predators into a delicate balance.  Predators like owls play a crucial role in this system as keystone species- animals whose presence helps keep populations in check and ecosystems healthy.  By hunting rodents and other small animals, owls prevent overpopulation, protect crops, and support biodiversity.  When food chains are balanced, ecosystems are more resilient, productive, and better able to support life- including our own.  At PS Science, we strive to help students see how all life on this planet is interconnected in crucial ways, and how our actions can have a direct effect on this balance. 

Hidden Stories Inside Owl Pellets

At first glance, an owl pellet might look unremarkable (gross, even!) - but inside is a fascinating snapshot of the natural world.  Each pellet contains the indigestible bones and fur from an owl’s recent meals, preserved in a way that allows scientists (and students!) to reconstruct what the owl ate and where it lived.  By identifying skulls and other bones, we can learn about the owl’s diet, the types of animals in its environment, and even changes in local ecosystems over time.  At the Mar Vista Green Tent this Sunday, families will get a chance to dissect an owl pellet and classify what they find, getting a glimpse into the wonders of nature. 

PS Science

PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  

Westside Repair Cafe - Februrary 21 - 2026

Sunday, February 26 at the Green Tent

Westside Repair Cafe

What do you do when you've got something you like but it no longer works?

Throw it out and buy a new one? Stick it in the attic, the basement or under the stairs? Pay to get it fixed? Fix it yourself? Chances are you toss it out. Or maybe you store it away until that magical day when you can figure out what to do with it.... right.

There's another solution

: bring it to one of the local Westside Repair Cafes.  This Sunday at the Mar Vista Farmer's Market from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. volunteer fixers will be on hand to answer your questions about how it works and how you can participate.  They will also be available to repair  small appliances, electronics and computers.  Need some easy mending done on a piece of clothing? Bring it to the Green Tent!

The Westside Repair Cafe is a volunteer-run, community service dedicated to encouraging the repair and reuse of goods rather than relegating them to landfills. It's an extension of Our Time Bank's Sharing Economy program to further support sustainable living solutions.

How does it work? What can you bring? Do you need to register ahead of time? How can you volunteer? Stop by the Green Tent this Sunday and get all your questions answered

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Food Forward - This Sunday, February 15, 2026 at the Mar Vista Green Tent

Food Forward® fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. Food Forward was founded in 2009 and this year marks the organization’s 15th anniversary. That’s 15 years of Building Generational Health, growing to become the largest independent produce reclamation and urban gleaning organization in the nation devoted exclusively to bringing healthy fresh produce to communities experiencing food and nutrition insecurity.

Food Forward® has three award-winning food recovery programs, two of which are volunteer-powered! 100% of the produce we recover is donated directly to our partner hunger relief organizations, free of charge. All produce donors receive a receipt for their in-kind donations.

Backyard Harvest: Volunteers harvest surplus fruit from trees that would otherwise go to waste. We harvest trees across Los Angeles, Ventura, and small sections of Santa Barbara counties. Sign up to volunteer!

Farmers Market Recovery: Volunteers "glean"—meaning Food Forward collects surplus fruit and vegetables—from 16 farmers markets across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Market vendors can choose to donate any produce at the peak of its freshness that may not make it to the next market they attend. Fun fact: Food Forward® has gleaned the Mar Vista Farmers Market since 2013. In 2023 alone, our volunteers recovered over 34,000 pounds of produce from this market that would have otherwise gone to waste! 

Sign up to volunteer! You can glean the Mar Vista Farmers Market with Food Forward® on Sundays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. or volunteer at another market.

Wholesale Recovery: The Wholesale Produce Recovery refrigerated warehouse located in Bell, California is the hub for tens of thousands of pounds of daily surplus produce donations from the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in Los Angeles, its surrounding district, and from growers and shippers across the region and the country. Food Forward’s Wholesale Recovery Program provides a sustainable solution to avoid the loss of perfectly edible produce being thrown away, often due to not meeting cosmetic standards or changes in demand. Instead, this nutritious surplus is redirected to hundreds of hunger relief organizations across Southern California and the surrounding region, ranging from regional food banks to community-based service centers for people experiencing food insecurity.

A volunteer gleans the Mar Vista Farmers Market in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

A volunteer harvests lemons
Photo credit: Jeffery Dawson

A vendor at the Mar Vista Farmers Market donates surplus produce to Food Forward in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

In addition to volunteering, there are other ways to join our work: 

PS Science - January 11th at the Mar Vista Green Tent

 

Powering Our Future: Exploring Solar Energy
Why Alternative Energy Matters

As our world grows and energy demands increase, finding cleaner and more sustainable ways to power our lives is essential to keeping Earth healthy for future generations.  Alternative energy sources- like solar, wind and hydroelectric power- help to reduce air pollution, slow climate change, and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels that are limited and harmful to the environment.  Solar power in particular has made incredible strides over the past few decades.  Advances in technology have made solar panels more efficient, more affordable, and more widely used than ever before, turning sunlight into a powerful tool for cleaner air and a more resilient planet.  Helping students understand these dynamics is a core part of what PS Science does in its curriculum, helping them to consider where energy comes from and the impact it has on our environment.

Hands-On Solar Science

At our booth this Sunday, students will get to experience solar energy in action by using real solar panels to power a variety of fun and fascinating gadgets.  They’ll also explore the amazing invention of the generator, discovering how motion can be converted into electricity by using a hand-crank generator to power devices with their own energy.  To top it off, each student will take home a small wearable souvenir that gets its ‘power’ from a special type of energy found in sunlight- a reminder that even something as simple as sunshine can be transformed into usable energy.    

PS Science

PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  

PS Science - December 14th at the Mar Vista Green Tent

 

Brilliant Beaks: Exploring Nature’s Clever Designs
How Bird Beaks Reveal the Science of Adaptation

Bird beaks come in an incredible variety of shapes and sizes, each one perfectly adapted to help a bird survive in its environment.  From long, straw-like beaks that sip nectar to broad, flat beaks that filter food from water, these structures offer a fantastic entry point for students to explore how animals evolve to meet the challenges of their habitats.  At our upcoming farmer’s market booth, young scientists will get to see firsthand how form connects to function- an essential idea in understanding the natural world and the adaptations that allow living things to thrive.

Hands-On Discovery: Bringing Beak Science to Life

To bring these important concepts to life, children will rotate through engaging hands-on stations that model real bird beaks: a strainer to scoop floating beads out of water like a duck filters its food, a pipette to sip water like a hummingbird gathering nectar, a nutcracker to crack open hard shells like a finch, and many more.  Using everyday items to model scientific concepts is at the heart of what PS Science does in the classrooms with students across Los Angeles.  After experimenting with these models, children will also get a chance to create a simple holiday-themed bird feeder to take home and hang outside, applying what they’ve learned and giving them a chance to support local birds in their own neighborhoods.  

PS Science

PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  

The Master Gardeners - December 7th at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m

Attention MV community, the LA County Master Gardeners will continue to appear at the Mar Vista Community Green Tent — but they will no longer be coming on the first Sunday of every month. This Sunday, Dec. 7, from 9 am to 1 pm,  will be their last regular monthly visit. Don’t worry, though, they will be back in March, June and October of 2026, so take advantage of their presence this weekend!

This time they’re bringing lots of lettuce and succulents for you to choose from and of course there will be free seeds as well, in addition to a few other seedlings. 

There are romaine and curly varieties, some cilantro, and sweet pea and viola flowers:

And there’s a generous selection of succulents to choose from, too.

What to plant right now:

VEG: Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Cabbage, Fava Beans, Radish, Lettuce, Cauliflower, Kale, Peas

FLOWER: Sweet peas, Calendula, Pansy, Snapdragon, Cosmo, Viola, Poppy, Alyssum, Stock

HERBS: Parsley, Dill, Cilantro, Arugula, Thyme, Rosemary

Don’t forget: the LA County Master Gardener program has a fully-packed and informative website where you can find monthly tips on what to plant, articles to help you grow and a helpline for your questions, plus resources about fire recovery, pest control, upcoming classes and so much more.

AND: They can still always use your leftover six packs, so drop them off at the booth when you stop by for a free plant and a packet of seeds. Happy holidays!

Food Forward - This Sunday, November 30, 2025 at the Mar Vista Green Tent

Food Forward® fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. Food Forward was founded in 2009 and this year marks the organization’s 15th anniversary. That’s 15 years of Building Generational Health, growing to become the largest independent produce reclamation and urban gleaning organization in the nation devoted exclusively to bringing healthy fresh produce to communities experiencing food and nutrition insecurity.

Food Forward® has three award-winning food recovery programs, two of which are volunteer-powered! 100% of the produce we recover is donated directly to our partner hunger relief organizations, free of charge. All produce donors receive a receipt for their in-kind donations.

Backyard Harvest: Volunteers harvest surplus fruit from trees that would otherwise go to waste. We harvest trees across Los Angeles, Ventura, and small sections of Santa Barbara counties. Sign up to volunteer!

Farmers Market Recovery: Volunteers "glean"—meaning Food Forward collects surplus fruit and vegetables—from 16 farmers markets across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Market vendors can choose to donate any produce at the peak of its freshness that may not make it to the next market they attend. Fun fact: Food Forward® has gleaned the Mar Vista Farmers Market since 2013. In 2023 alone, our volunteers recovered over 34,000 pounds of produce from this market that would have otherwise gone to waste! 

Sign up to volunteer! You can glean the Mar Vista Farmers Market with Food Forward® on Sundays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. or volunteer at another market.

Wholesale Recovery: The Wholesale Produce Recovery refrigerated warehouse located in Bell, California is the hub for tens of thousands of pounds of daily surplus produce donations from the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in Los Angeles, its surrounding district, and from growers and shippers across the region and the country. Food Forward’s Wholesale Recovery Program provides a sustainable solution to avoid the loss of perfectly edible produce being thrown away, often due to not meeting cosmetic standards or changes in demand. Instead, this nutritious surplus is redirected to hundreds of hunger relief organizations across Southern California and the surrounding region, ranging from regional food banks to community-based service centers for people experiencing food insecurity.

A volunteer gleans the Mar Vista Farmers Market in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

A volunteer harvests lemons
Photo credit: Jeffery Dawson

A vendor at the Mar Vista Farmers Market donates surplus produce to Food Forward in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

In addition to volunteering, there are other ways to join our work: 

CALPIRG Save the Bees Campaign November 23 /2025

Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides !

Come to the Green Tent this Sunday, November 23, and learn about what you can do to eliminate a dangerous new class of toxic chemicals from our soils, our foods and our bodies.


  
  



































  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          
In just 2 minutes you can complete an action step toward saving the bees and other pollinators.

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
   The Problem: 
A critical problem affecting the bees is that they are increasingly exposed to a relatively new class of pesticides called neonicotinoids (neonics). These chemicals have been used in exponentially increasing quantities in the last few years and studies definitively link loss of bees to exposure to neonics. Some bees experience acute toxicity from directly sprayed crops and die right away, while others are chronically exposed as they collect pollen from flowers grown from neonics-treated seeds. 
Neonics are neurotoxins. In addition to weakening bee immune systems and making them more susceptible to disease, the neonics disorient the bees meaning they can’t find their way back to their hives. And unfortunately the NIC in neonics acts just like nicotine in cigarettes – it can be addictive to bees. So bees are exposed and then go back and back again to plants that have been treated, increasing their exposure and speeding up the die off.
The Solution
To fully save the bees we need to phase out and then ban the use of neonics and we need to ensure that they are not replaced with equally or more dangerous chemicals. Common sense alternatives exist, like altering the time of planting and watering, and planting more native species, but big big agrichemical companies like Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Bayer and Syngenta are fighting to prevent bans.
 
 Thankfully, many legislative bodies have already begun the process of removing this deadly chemical from our lands. The European Union has banned several of them; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to phasing them out on the public lands they manage; and cities like Seattle and states like Maryland and Connecticut have taken action as well. 
In order to restore bee populations to health and save our food supply, we need states and cities to ban the sale of bee-killing pesticides. In California, we’re focused in particular on closing the loophole that has allowed companies to continue to sell neonics-coated seeds, an issue the state is required to address with new legislation proposals by February of 2026. And on a local level, we’re looking to expand the number of “Bee Friendly” cities and campuses across the state.
 























  
  





  



  
    
  
  













  
How?
With many strategies including
  • Petitions
  • Press conferences 
  • Lobbying with statewide leaders 
  • Volunteering 
  • Canvassing
Organizational History:
Our partner groups Environment America and U.S. PIRG both have a history of working on pesticides and bee-killing pesticides. Environment America has organized chefs and restaurateurs in support of a Bee Friendly Food Alliance. And U.S. PIRG has a long history of working on pesticides, mostly from a public health perspective, and in this case from a food supply perspective. The last time this campaign was run in California, we got several universities and cities registered as “Bee Friendly”, and got legislation passed to ban the commercial sale of neonics sprays in private gardens.
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        Free Yard Trees !   Rain or Shine
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          




  
Mar Vista ARBOR GROUP + CITY PLANTS HAVE FREE TREES FOR YOUR YARD!
Come to the Green Tent on Sunday, November 16 9:00-2:00
For more information go to https://www.marvistaarbor.org/events-and-activities























  
  





  



  
    
  
  













  
COME TO THE GREEN TENT AND WE WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE TREE PICK UP AREA !!!
Trees
    - Save water
    - Combat the greenhouse effect
    - Clean the air
    - Provide oxygen
    - Cool the streets and the city
    - Conserve energy
    - Provide homes for local wildlife























  
  





  



  
    
  
  













  
JUST IN TIME FOR OUR COOLER WEATHER!























  
  





  



  
    
  
  













  
ADOPT RESPONSIBLY ! We'll have information about different watering options to make sure your tree will not just survive, but thrive!
Contact 
Shelley Wiseman 
 to find out about all of free tree programs available from 
City Plants, a public-private partnership between the City of Los Angeles, local non-profit organizations, community groups, residents, and businesses.























  
  





        
      
    


    

    

  

  
  


    

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

      

      
        PS Science - November 9th at the Mar Vista Green Tent
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          
 




  
Plant Wonders: The Science of Seed Dispersal 
The Hidden Journeys of Seeds























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
Every towering tree and blooming flower begins with something small and easily overlooked: a seed.  What makes seeds remarkable is not only the life they contain but also the ingenious ways plants ensure those seeds reach the right places to grow.  Seed dispersal- the process by which seeds move away from their parent plant- is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems, preventing overcrowding, and giving new plants the best chance to thrive.  For students, learning about seed dispersal is a chance to see nature’s problem-solving in action.  Seeds reveal how living things adapt creatively to unique challenges. 
Nature’s Creative Solutions























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
Plants have developed an incredible variety of ways to spread their seeds. Maple trees send out ‘helicopter’ seeds that twirl gracefully to the ground, slowing their fall so they can land farther away.  Burrs use hooks to hitch a ride on passing animals (or kids’ shoelaces!), while coconuts and other buoyant seeds float across rivers and even oceans.  Some plants launch their seeds explosively, while others package them inside delicious fruits that entice animals to carry and scatter them.  At the Mar Vista Green Tent on 11/9,, we will give participants the opportunity to model these different seed dispersal techniques and understand them on a deeper level through hands-on engagement.  Come by for some science fun!  
PS Science
PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  























  
  





        
      
    


    

    

  

  
  


    

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

      

      
        PS Science - October 12th at the Mar Vista Green Tent
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          
 




  
Discover the Magic of Decomposition!
Composting: A Simple Act With a Big Impact























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
Composting is one of the most accessible ways we can care for our environment, and it starts with something as ordinary as kitchen scraps.  By turning food waste and yard clippings into nutrient-rich soil, we not only keep material out of landfills but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote healthy new plant growth.  In our communities, and especially in schools, composting becomes a living lesson in sustainability.  When students see firsthand how yesterday’s lunch can become tomorrow’s fertile ground, they learn that their choices matter and that conservation is something they can actively take part in.
The Science Beneath the Soil























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
At the heart of composting is the fascinating process of decomposition.  Fungi, bacteria and invertebrates such as worms and beetles work together as nature’s recyclers, breaking down organic matter into usable nutrients.  This process highlights the importance of biodegradable materials and the interconnected cycles that sustain life on Earth.  For elementary school students, understanding decomposition helps them appreciate the value of healthy ecosystems and gives them a tangible example of how small natural processes lead to big environmental benefits.  
PS Science
PS Science was launched in 2006 as a project of the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation, an initiative of Crossroads School in Santa Monica in response to a chronic deficit in public schools- the lack of meaningful early elementary science education.  Our programs and curriculum provide elementary students with a foundational understanding of the world around them, using hands-on STEM lessons to promote curiosity and critical thinking.  























  
  





        
      
    


    

    

  

  
  


    

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

      

      
        THE MASTER GARDENERS - October 5th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          




  
This month at the Green Tent, it’s the UC/CE LA County Master Gardeners from 9 am to 1 pm, with free plants, free seeds and free advice about gardening.
Bring your gardening questions, give your seedlings a head start and find out what’s best to put into the soil right now to become a better backyard gardener! There’s plenty to do in the garden during this busy growing season.
Don’t forget to recycle your seedling six packs with the Master Gardeners, who’ll use them for the next batch of seedlings they plant for the Mar Vista Community.























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  



        
      
    


    

      
      
      

        
  
    
    
  

      

    


    

  

  
  


    

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

      

      
        CALPIRG Save the Bees Campaign  SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28 2025
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          




  
Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides !
Come to the Green Tent this Sunday, September 28, and learn about what you can do to eliminate a dangerous new class of toxic chemicals from our soils, our foods and our bodies.























  
  





  



  
    

  
  



































  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          
In just 2 minutes you can complete an action step toward saving the bees and other pollinators.

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
   The Problem: 
A critical problem affecting the bees is that they are increasingly exposed to a relatively new class of pesticides called neonicotinoids (neonics). These chemicals have been used in exponentially increasing quantities in the last few years and studies definitively link loss of bees to exposure to neonics. Some bees experience acute toxicity from directly sprayed crops and die right away, while others are chronically exposed as they collect pollen from flowers grown from neonics-treated seeds. 
Neonics are neurotoxins. In addition to weakening bee immune systems and making them more susceptible to disease, the neonics disorient the bees meaning they can’t find their way back to their hives. And unfortunately the NIC in neonics acts just like nicotine in cigarettes – it can be addictive to bees. So bees are exposed and then go back and back again to plants that have been treated, increasing their exposure and speeding up the die off.
The Solution
To fully save the bees we need to phase out and then ban the use of neonics and we need to ensure that they are not replaced with equally or more dangerous chemicals. Common sense alternatives exist, like altering the time of planting and watering, and planting more native species, but big big agrichemical companies like Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Bayer and Syngenta are fighting to prevent bans.
 
 Thankfully, many legislative bodies have already begun the process of removing this deadly chemical from our lands. The European Union has banned several of them; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to phasing them out on the public lands they manage; and cities like Seattle and states like Maryland and Connecticut have taken action as well. 
In order to restore bee populations to health and save our food supply, we need states and cities to ban the sale of bee-killing pesticides. In California, we’re focused in particular on closing the loophole that has allowed companies to continue to sell neonics-coated seeds, an issue the state is required to address with new legislation proposals by February of 2026. And on a local level, we’re looking to expand the number of “Bee Friendly” cities and campuses across the state.
 























  
  





  



  
    
  
  













  
How?
With many strategies including
  • Petitions
  • Press conferences 
  • Lobbying with statewide leaders 
  • Volunteering 
  • Canvassing
Organizational History:
Our partner groups Environment America and U.S. PIRG both have a history of working on pesticides and bee-killing pesticides. Environment America has organized chefs and restaurateurs in support of a Bee Friendly Food Alliance. And U.S. PIRG has a long history of working on pesticides, mostly from a public health perspective, and in this case from a food supply perspective. The last time this campaign was run in California, we got several universities and cities registered as “Bee Friendly”, and got legislation passed to ban the commercial sale of neonics sprays in private gardens.
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        THE MASTER GARDENERS - September 7th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          




  
This month at the Green Tent, it’s the UC/CE LA County Master Gardeners from 9 am to 1 pm, with free plants, free seeds and free advice about gardening.
Bring your gardening questions, give your seedlings a head start and find out what’s best to put into the soil right now to become a better backyard gardener! There’s plenty to do in the garden during this busy growing season.
Don’t forget to recycle your seedling six packs with the Master Gardeners, who’ll use them for the next batch of seedlings they plant for the Mar Vista Community.























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  



        
      
    


    

      
      
      

        
  
    
    
  

      

    


    

  

  
  


    

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

      

      
        Food Forward - June 29th at the Mar Vista Green Tent
      
      

      

        
        

          
        

        
        

          
          
        

        
      

    


    

      
        
          




  
Food Forward® fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. Food Forward was founded in 2009 and this year marks the organization’s 15th anniversary. That’s 15 years of Building Generational Health, growing to become the largest independent produce reclamation and urban gleaning organization in the nation devoted exclusively to bringing healthy fresh produce to communities experiencing food and nutrition insecurity.























  
  








  
Food Forward® has three award-winning food recovery programs, two of which are volunteer-powered! 100% of the produce we recover is donated directly to our partner hunger relief organizations, free of charge. All produce donors receive a receipt for their in-kind donations.
Backyard Harvest: Volunteers harvest surplus fruit from trees that would otherwise go to waste. We harvest trees across Los Angeles, Ventura, and small sections of Santa Barbara counties. Sign up to volunteer!
Farmers Market Recovery: Volunteers "glean"—meaning Food Forward collects surplus fruit and vegetables—from 16 farmers markets across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Market vendors can choose to donate any produce at the peak of its freshness that may not make it to the next market they attend. Fun fact: Food Forward® has gleaned the Mar Vista Farmers Market since 2013. In 2023 alone, our volunteers recovered over 34,000 pounds of produce from this market that would have otherwise gone to waste! 
Sign up to volunteer! You can glean the Mar Vista Farmers Market with Food Forward® on Sundays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. or volunteer at another market.
Wholesale Recovery: The Wholesale Produce Recovery refrigerated warehouse located in Bell, California is the hub for tens of thousands of pounds of daily surplus produce donations from the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in Los Angeles, its surrounding district, and from growers and shippers across the region and the country. Food Forward’s Wholesale Recovery Program provides a sustainable solution to avoid the loss of perfectly edible produce being thrown away, often due to not meeting cosmetic standards or changes in demand. Instead, this nutritious surplus is redirected to hundreds of hunger relief organizations across Southern California and the surrounding region, ranging from regional food banks to community-based service centers for people experiencing food insecurity.























  
  






























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          
A volunteer gleans the Mar Vista Farmers Market in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          
A volunteer harvests lemons
Photo credit: Jeffery Dawson

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  




























  
    
  


    

    

    
      

        
      
        
          
      

        

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    
        
      

      
        

          
A vendor at the Mar Vista Farmers Market donates surplus produce to Food Forward in October 2023
Photo credit: Eron Rauch

        

      
    
      

    

    


  


  






  
In addition to volunteering, there are other ways to join our work: