Greening & BEautification Committee

Vegetable Garden

Decorative Fence Cups

Reading Garden

Greening at Braddock — Growing Something Bigger

At Braddock Drive Elementary, greening isn’t just about plants and trees — it’s about possibility and growth.

It’s about transforming open space into outdoor classrooms, and helping students connect with nature, stewardship, and community.

In this edition of our Spotlight Series, we bring you the stories of how greening initiatives took flight and how that momentum has sustained itself over the years as a result of the passionate efforts of a few parents to champion the greenification of our campus, benefiting each and every Braddock student.

Why Greening Matters for Learning

Access to green space does more than beautify campus.

Research shows that time in nature reduces stress, improves focus, boosts physical activity, and supports emotional well-being. At Braddock, outdoor spaces give teachers opportunities to extend lessons beyond four walls.

Students:

Observe ecosystems firsthand
Learn about biodiversity
Participate in hands-on science
Develop environmental stewardship
Upcoming educator workshops will further equip teachers and families with tools to integrate environmental literacy into daily learning.

Greening supports the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally.

🌿 PLANTING THE SEEDS OF GREENING AT BRADDOCK

Before 2020, Braddock’s campus was largely asphalt, with limited green space in the main yard. Change started with individuals who saw opportunity.

Braddock parent alum Rachel Haun helped re-establish and lovingly maintain the Native Habitat Reading Garden beginning in 2019 — and continues to volunteer her time even years after her child graduated. The garden now offers shade, seating, and a calm alternative space for students during the school day.

Volunteers Clearing Space

Students Painting Tree Stumps

Reading in the Garden

Kaman Lee launched and maintained the vegetable garden, where students planted, tended crops, and brought home herbs and vegetables — learning patience, responsibility, and growth in the most literal way.

These early efforts laid the foundation for something bigger. As conversations around improving Braddock’s outdoor spaces gained traction, now former Braddock parents Damon Nagami and Bridget Toomey, along with a few others, helped champion a more structured approach to campus greening — advocating for expanded green space and helping catalyze the formation of a dedicated Greening Group to move ideas into action.

What began as individual passion began evolving into coordinated momentum.

Damon (left), Allison Holdorff from Nick Melvoin's office (center), Bridget (right)

Damon (left), Jeanne-Kuo Riggins (back-left), Kirsten Miller (front)

Alex Wang

🌲 The Green Space: A Transformational Moment and Celebration - April 10

One of the most significant greening projects at Braddock to date is the new Green Space (official name to be unveiled soon).

Years in the making, this outdoor stage and native garden area has been thoughtfully designed with environmental conservation and biodiversity in mind. The space features native California plants, seating areas, and a stormwater-capturing swale system beneath the garden that helps intercept runoff before it flows toward Ballona Creek and the ocean.

And the project itself would not have been possible without the early support of many Braddock families who, years ago, contributed both their time and financial support through SBDES to help bring this vision to life. Some of those families have since seen their children graduate—or will soon—after believing in the potential of this space long before it became reality. As a community, we are deeply grateful for their generosity and for helping plant the seeds of this project.

More than just landscaping, the Green Space will serve as a place where students can gather, perform, learn outdoors, and connect with nature on campus.

To celebrate this milestone, the entire Braddock community is invited to attend the official Green Space launch on Friday, April 10 from 8:30–9:30 AM, followed by a ribbon cutting and outdoor celebration.

The event will include remarks from school and district leaders, reflections on the design and vision for the space, and the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

📅 Save the date and join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter in Braddock’s greening journey.

Community Planting Day – March 21

Before the official launch of the new green space, join us at Braddock for Community Planting Day on Saturday, March 21 from 8:00–11:00 AM, when families, students, and volunteers will come together to plant trees, greenery, and native plants around campus as part of our ongoing beautification efforts. We will be working side by side with experts from Verdant Venice Group who will show us how to take care of the young plants. Special thanks to Isabelle Duvivier for securing us a a generous grant from Balloona Creek Renaissance who donated all the plants.

No gardening experience is required — just a willingness to help. Tools, materials, and guidance will all be provided.

Planting Day is a great way for students to see firsthand how small actions contribute to a healthier environment and a more beautiful campus for everyone.

This event will help prepare and beautify the campus ahead of the April 10 Green Space unveiling, making it a perfect way for families to contribute to the next chapter of greening at Braddock.

🌿 Sign up to volunteer here: SIGN UP FORM

Bring your enthusiasm, a water bottle, and a pair of comfortable shoes — we’d love to see as many Bobcats as possible helping grow Braddock together.

🌳 The Greening Group TODAY

Today, the Greening Group is a small and growing group of dedicated parent volunteers who work year-round to:

Maintain and expand campus gardens
Advocate for beautification and greening funding
Organize volunteer planting and clean-up days
Support outdoor classroom experiences
Strengthen campus pride and visual identity

Their efforts span everything from murals and litter clean-ups to grant applications and navigating LAUSD approvals. Every hour of support strengthens our school community and brings meaningful projects to life.

Community volunteers from LA Works annually help on campus to paint murals around the school. More helping hands are needed and always welcome—join the Whatsapp group today and be part of the difference.

In 2025, the Greening Group secured a $2,500 LAX Coastal Education Foundation grant to install decorative fence cups along the Braddock perimeter, proudly displaying the Bobcat identity and reinforcing a sense of belonging for our students and families.

How You Can Get Involved

Greening at Braddock is not a one-time project — it’s an ongoing effort that depends on the care, creativity, and participation of our community.

In the months and years ahead, the Greening Group hopes to continue building on this momentum by organizing regular campus beautification days, expanding volunteer stewardship, and developing more opportunities for outdoor learning and environmental education.

You don’t need gardening experience to get involved. Parents and families can contribute in many ways, including:

Volunteering during planting and beautification days
Helping care for garden areas or monitor litter during recess
Supporting outdoor classroom activities
Joining the Greening Group to help shape future projects

Whether you can give a few hours during a planting day or want to be part of the core group helping guide future efforts, there’s a place for you in helping Braddock grow.

Questions or interested in getting involved? braddockvolunteering@gmail.com

Join the Greening WhatsApp group: CLICK HERE

Together, we can continue creating a campus that inspires learning, stewardship, and pride for generations of Braddock students.

🪴🌻🌲

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