Middlebrook Center: CNGF/ELSEE

Specialties

The California Native Garden Foundation is a non-​profit educational, research, and resource organization that promotes gardening with California native plants. CNGF’s program, ELSEE, (The Environmental Laboratory for Sustainability and Ecological Education) is designed to provide eco-​literacy, sustainability, and environmental educational throughout our public school system. Our ELSEE Nature Discovery Camp enrollment is now open for kids ages 6 – 12 at the Middlebrook Center. An engaging variety of classes are available featuring nature, life science and ecology, and sustainability, to keep kids motivated, curious and excited about the world around us.

History

Established in 2004.

The California Native Garden Foundation is a non-​profit educational, research, and resource organization that promotes gardening with California native plants. California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF) educates the public and design community on the value of native gardens through classes, field trips, garden tours, and publications.

The foundation offers grants and professional assistance to develop programs on ecology, garden design, plant identification, garden building, and garden management.

CNGF’s goal is to increase the popularity and use of California’s native plants in the designed landscape and to educate children and adults by incorporating eco-​literacy lesson plans and urban food technology, and preserving, protecting and restoring native ecosystems.

Meet the Business Owner

Alrie M.

Business Owner

Alrie Middlebrook is an advocate and practitioner of the sustainable lifestyle, a landscape professional and a California native plant specialist. She is committed to educating the public and promoting sustainability through native gardening. Her many workshops and speaking engagements at diverse venues throughout the State of California have provided key forums promoting critical knowledge and understanding. Her support of community efforts to embrace sustainability has spawned recent projects like Granada Native Gardens, Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, River Street Historical Gardens and her co-​founding of The California Native Garden Foundation. For more information please visit www​.cngf​.org.