The “California Wonder Garden” was started and named by the fourth graders in Mrs. Retford’s class in 2004.  We partnered with Community Trust Credit Union and the Latino Business Association to make the garden.

When working in the garden we use geographic terms and relate our garden plot to the state of California.  We use only organic methods and lots of human power. 

Currently we are creating a Butterfly Way Station to help local and migrating butterflies. The loss of farmland in California has a huge impact on the Western Monarch populations.  Monarch's used to have access to the milkweed that grew next to agricultural field as host plants and food plants. 

We are working with the Biology Department of California State University Stanislaus, if the model (garden) works we will encourage other schools to also plant Butterfly Way Stations. The other half of the garden is mixture of flowers and seasonal vegetables.