Dear LCMSD Community, If you’ve driven down Doherty lately, you might have noticed that the landscaping in front of Hall Middle School needs some rejuvenation. Well, Dana Swisher, 2nd Grade Teacher at Neil Cummins and Founder of Refugia Marin, has decided to do something about that! Refugia Marin is a nonprofit organization whose mission extends beyond conservation. They strive to educate the community about the myriad benefits of native plants while creating thriving wildlife habitats. By forging strong partnerships with schools, community leaders and like-minded organizations, they work together towards the shared goal of enhancing the natural beauty of our community and creating spaces for people to enjoy. Recently, Dana applied for a Point Blue grant, which will fund the Hall replanting project estimated at over $300,000! The project will develop over the 2024-25 school year. Dana and her team selected Hall Middle due to the high visibility, community access, and close proximity for Hall and Redwood students and teachers. Dana shared about the grant, “Refugia Marin is honored to have been awarded a grant from the Point Blue Roots Program to enhance habitat and increase wildlife resilience. We are excited for this special opportunity to improve local biodiversity and to educate the community about how effective native plants can be when used in public spaces.” Dana has led other significant projects, such as reviving the Hawks Garden at Neil Cummins by increasing its habitat potential, creating The Native Habitat Garden in Town Park, and most recently, improving several areas of the Neil Cummins campus in collaboration with Home Ground Habitats and through the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program. Dana is a passionate educator who has received several accolades recently. After receiving a Marin County IPM award and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educator in 2022, she was asked to lead the 2023 Corte Madera 4th of July parade as the Grand Marshal. She most recently was honored with a 2024 Golden Bell Award, recognizing her excellence as an educator. Dana is a champion environmental steward and educator, and we are so fortunate to have her as a leader within our schools and community. Thank you Dana Swisher, Refugia Marin, and Point Blue! Dr. Brett Geithman Superintendent |
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