Twenty Taft Middle School students from Mrs. Cortes’s art class participated in a wildlife preserve beautification project on April 25th. After a brief presentation by Bonnie Hough, chair of the Friends of Ruffin Canyon organization, the students were able to identify many of the native plants in the area and learn about their unique properties. The canyon is home to white sage, coastal oak, morning glory, blue grass flowers, and the California buckwheat. Students painted rocks to identify and label the variety of plants found in the canyon so new visitors can learn about them too. Students also painted pictures of the blossoms in bloom or symbols associated with the type of plant.

Through this activity, art students put their knowledge of color to work for a good cause. The seventh and eighth graders learned the importance of preserving the canyon through conservation of resources and to not litter.