Not your typical fundraiser

We surely all can remember being propositioned by a third-grader to buy cookie dough, or maybe the sixth-graders down the street knocked on your door to ask if you'd like to buy some magazine subscriptions.

Usually, public schools encourage their students to sell such products to raise money for the school, or maybe it's a particular program at the school. Well, in light of the water crisis affecting the southwest and Southern California, some Inland Empire schools are selling drought-tolerant mini-gardens that also attract butterflies and songbirds. The program is a pilot project of Cal State San Bernardino's Water Resources Institute, according to the article in Press-Enterprise's Inland News section.

The article notes that parents often learn about conservation efforts and issues, such as recycling, through their children. This is just one more way children can help educate those around them of how to help not only the environment, but also how to save money and protect our dwindling resources. Perhaps some San Diego schools could implement this fundraising program.

The Gardener's Supply Co. lists some of its readers' favorite drought-tolerant plants on its Web site.

One problem with the plants, though, that PE's article says needs to be addressed with buyers, is that the plants need a lot of water and should be planted before the dry heat waves come in around May.


Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo from www.gardeners.com