BrightView Installs Interactive Learning Garden in Southern California

A project that has taken months of planning and preparation by BrightView Landscapes was completed with the help of more than 200 volunteers from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Orange County’s Helping Hands Committee. The group partnered with Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and had committed to enhancing facilities in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Oso Lake in Mission Viejo has a campground that is used for various activities by more than 40,000 children each year, including the BSA and other organizations. The committee had a vision of turning an open space into an outdoor classroom and native garden where children could earn sustainability badges. With the help of BrightView’s Design, Development, Tree Care, and Maintenance teams, the garden became a reality.

BrightView designed a 22,000-square-foot garden with trails that includes several different ecosystems blending together as they would naturally in California. The garden features plant communities, including Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Riparian, Oak Woodland, and a Meadow area.

“People often have a misconception that California native plants are all succulents and dry landscapes, but there is so much more,” said Humberto Delgadillo, Designer at BrightView responsible for designing the garden. “This garden will introduce visitors to California’s native plant communities and motivate them to get involved in conservation and environmental stewardship.”

In addition to the design, BrightView teams provided grading, equipment, and labor while sourcing the donation and installation of a fully solar-powered irrigation system. Lines were set up to bring a water source to the new garden. BrightView’s Tree Care, Design Group, and Development teams donated $4,000 to purchase all plant materials needed for the project at a discount.

On Oct. 7, BrightView team members led a group of 200 volunteers from IREM to install the garden.

The Boy Scouts plan to use the space as a tool to teach members about careers in landscaping and horticulture and to educate them on various native ecosystems. BrightView plans to regularly send team members from various areas of the industry to speak to groups at the garden about their profession.

“We were beyond excited to partner with IREM Helping Hands and the Boy Scouts of America on their Oso Lake project,” said Autumn Rau, Vice President and General Manager at BrightView. “This garden was designed and installed with the intent to have a hugely positive impact on many children for years to come.”

The Boy Scouts of America have decided to name the garden after BrightView because of the effort put forth BrightView teams to make it happen.

This garden will introduce visitors to California’s native plant communities and motivate them to get involved in conservation and environmental stewardship.
- Humberto Delgadillo, Designer at BrightView

BrightView creates interactive learning garden for Boy Scouts of America, Total Landscape Care