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One Cool Earth is a registered nonprofit organization in San Luis Obispo County of the Central Coast of California with the mission “to support outdoor education, neighborhood gardens and community tree plantings.” Their vision is to “create a peaceful, abundant, planet with a healthy environment for all.”^[1] The organization focuses on planting trees native to the Central Coast since they are properly adapted to the climate and pests of the environment. Additionally, trees provide a natural habitat for animals needing shelter and store carbon, which improves the atmosphere.

Another main area of focus is educating the youth on native plants, hoping to raise awareness to strive for a healthy environment and an abundant planet. The organization works with over a dozen schools in San Luis Obispo county, including California Polytechnic State University.

The nonprofit works toward a sustainable and green county by helping with planning, assisting with donations and volunteer recruitment of three projects—educational programs, garden matchmaking and native planting.

Educational Programs

One Cool Earth volunteers at more than a dozen schools in San Luis Obispo county.^[2] The project aims at creating thriving outdoor classrooms. The schools the program works with are:

• Lewis Middle School
• Georgia Brown Elementary School
• Flamson Middle School
• Liberty Continuation High School
• California Polytechnic University
• Pacific Beach High School
• Morro Bay High School
• Bishop Peak/Tech Elementary
• GenNext Teen Center
• Mission Prep High School
• Monarch Grove Elementary
• Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School
• Arroyo Grande High School

Garden Matchmaking

The garden matchmaking program “connects gardeners to land.”^[3] The organization has two backyard gardens where people can adopt a raised garden bed for personal use. The Tenbrook St. Garden was created under the guidance and help of Cal Poly’s Environmental Design student group and the Cal Poly Permaculture Club. The Ramona St. Garden was transformed from a weed-grown backyard after more than 100 hours of volunteer work. The garden is also protected from most herbivores.

Additionally, there is a garden at Santa Lucia School in Templeton, which was installed as part of Make A Difference Day, part of a national day of community service.

Native Planting The native planting has two components — vineyard projects and tree plantings.^[4]

Vineyard Projects The D’Anbino Vineyard and Cellars project planted hedgegrows, which consisted of more than 150 plants in an area of more than 1,000 square feet. Hedgerows provide a habitat for insects and discourage weeds and gophers the area.

Oaks for Vineyards aims to plant oak trees on vineyards.

Tree plantings locations

• Avila Hot Springs
• Walter Capps Memorial Forest
• Cork Stop Studios
• Sinsheimer Elementary School
• Atascadero Lake
• Pennington Creek
• Bodhi Path Center Garden
• Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila
• El Chorro Regional Park
• Hogue Action Pistol Range
• Lopez Lake
• Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School
• Odd Fellow’s Hall
• Spencer’s Fresh Market in Morro Bay
• Laguna Lake Golf Course
• Laguna Lake
• St. Benedicts Episcopal Church
• Virgina Peterson Elementary
• Baywood Elementary
• Clark Valley Organic Farm
• Sinsheimer Disc Golf Course
• Laguna Middle School
• Del Mar Liquor Store
• Jewish Community Center
• Collen Rosenthal Photography
• South Hill
• Terrace Hill
• Sinsheimer Park
• Whale Rock Reservoir
• Cuesta College Entrance
• Unity Church

Influence on California Polytechnic University

California Polytechnic University has a vast amount of trees on its landscape, but most of the trees are not local.^[5] Many trees are from Australia, and though Australia's climate is similar to the Central Coast, the nonnative plants are unaccustomed to Californian pests. Therefore, many nonnative trees on Cal Poly’s campus has become pest-infested and are dying. Sometimes infected trees are in locations difficult to remove, such as a parking lot, and can be expensive to remove the trees.

To combat this problem, One Cool Earth plants native trees on Cal Poly’s campus.^[4] Some of the planting sites include:

• Cal Poly Compost Unit
• California Polytechnic Walter’s Ranch
• Cal Poly Rodeo Grounds
• California Polytechnic Sports Complex

The organization has also planted trees in the parking lot alongside Grand Avenue and by the turf soccer fields near the back of campus. Both of these planting sites were chosen because once the trees develop, they will serve as a windbreak and help keep Cal Poly’s campus' climate more welcoming. The trees also provide a natural habitat for animals and insects.

In addition to planting trees on campus, One Cool Earth has a nursery at Cal Poly where they grow trees until they are large enough and ready for planting. This process is not simple because the plant has to be young enough so the roots can properly grow into the new planting location, but large enough so the tree has a chance of survival. The trees include Redwoods and Oaks native to the Central Coast.

One Cool Earth used to have a club on Cal Poly’s campus, but no longer does. It is, however, hoping to establish one.

Partners^[6]

One Cool Earth’s partner is Foundation for Youth Investment, which supports “adventure outings.”

Sustainers include:

• Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation
• United Way Youth Grant
• Niner Winery
• MidAmerican Solar
• Foundation for Youth Investment
• Mid American and First Solar
• Big Creek Lumber
• Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
• School Yard Habitat
• Native Sons Nursery
• D’Anbino Vineyards and Cellars
• San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission
• NRG Energy
• Stewardship Council
• Farm Supply Company
• First Solar
• Pacific Gas and Electric

One Cool Earth also works alongside Glean SLO, an organization aimed to strive toward "farming, health eating, and providing nutritious food for those need."^[7]

Contact^[8]

Phone (760) 382-5164

Mailing Address PO Box 150, San Luis Obispo 93406

Leaders

Victoria Carranza-OCE Fellow

Chrissy Leppla-volunteer/director

Chris Elliot-founder and president

Gregory John Ellis-director

Lionel Dennis Johnston-founder and volunteer/director

Sue Elliot-founder and treasurer