Pacoima Middle School

Funded by the California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Grant Program, and developed in partnership with LAUSD, TreePeople’s project at Pacoima has removed over 14,000 square feet of hot asphalt paving and will replace it with drought-resistant landscaping, gathering spaces, gardens, and 107 trees in student-accessible locations. This project has engaged over 200 community members in volunteer community planting events and will support a population of over 1000 students. The design includes a bird and pollinator garden with seating and signage, a native garden with seating and tables for learning, a carbon-capturing shade tree perimeter by the I-5 Freeway to reduce noise and air pollution, and additional green space to enhance the campus landscape.

During the design and construction process, TreePeople’s Generation Earth team has been active in the school classrooms, engaging students in lessons about the environmental benefits of the proposed project and using the project as a teaching opportunity.

Planning for the project kicked off in December 2021 and all construction will be complete by December 2024. This project will reduce heat, combat air pollution, increase stormwater capture, boost community involvement and environmental literacy, and enhance academic achievement and physical and mental health.