Nevada Plants and Southwest Gas to Enhance and Beautify School Garden to Heighten the Senses at Jesse D. Scott Elementary School

School garden event to boost learning opportunities and support sensory learning initiatives.

 

LAS VEGAS – On April 1, 2023, Southwest Gas partners with Nevada Plants and Green Our Planet for a beautification project at Jesse D. Scott Elementary School, a Title I school in North Las Vegas. As part of a $25,000 donation by Southwest Gas Foundation, employee-volunteers will focus on improving the school’s courtyard and garden.

 

Enhancements to the campus include the addition of a pollinator green, expansion of the orchard, and adding rock to the school garden. Southwest Gas and Nevada Plants will also create a butterfly garden with plants that support a butterfly habitat. Additionally, a sensory garden is being designed for the autistic students at Scott Elementary and volunteers will build a composting structure.

 

“Southwest Gas has been a long-time supporter of Jesse D. Scott Elementary School, and the school holds a special place in the hearts of our employees,” said Dr. Laura S. Nelson, vice president of Sustainability and Public Policy. “It’s vital that we are leaders within our communities on projects that enhance the quality of life while providing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions. We believe everyone should experience the health, climate, and resiliency benefits of living in a greener community.  We’re excited to partner with Nevada Plants to provide students at Scott Elementary with a campus that offers more inclusive learning opportunities in an environment that makes them excited.”  

 

Nevada Plants is a community-based, advocacy, and education nonprofit agency focused on climate resiliency through tree research, on the ground projects and educational programs that help solve food scarcity and other social, environmental, and economic issues in Nevada’s communities. This partnership is a great representation of Southwest Gas’ dedication to responsibly advancing sustainable environmental practices, as well as offering community support to decrease greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

 

“Nevada Plants is excited to upgrade the sensory garden and plant trees with Jesse Scott Elementary in North Las Vegas,” says Lisa Ortega, founder and executive director of Nevada Plants Community Forestry. “Partnering with Southwest Gas to provide trees for the community, enhancing schoolgrounds like the upcoming project at Jesse Scott Elementary is beneficial to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. We are proud to work together for the benefit of our neighborhoods and community.”

 

As an energy services provider, giving back to the communities and exceeding customers’ expectations is a central part of the Southwest Gas culture. Employees contribute millions of dollars in financial support and thousands of hours in service to worthy non-profit organizations each year. The Southwest Gas Foundation has contributed more than $3.7 million to local agencies in Southern Nevada over the last ten years. For 2023, the company’s efforts will center around the vision for a sustainable future, “Sustainability, Environment & Beautification,” which creates events that benefit the environment and strengthen communities. By focusing on schools, parks, and other areas and in partnerships with local nonprofit partners, these events will center around tree planting in underserved neighborhoods — expanding our tree canopy and providing many benefits, such as improved air quality, cooler temperatures, ecological restoration, and climate resiliency.

 

 

The beautification project kicks of National Safe Digging Month, a time every April to remind do-it-yourself homeowners, contractors, and construction crews about the importance of calling 811 prior to starting any digging project. It’s important to know that one easy, free phone call to 811 quickly begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked for free. Call 811 is for residential and commercial digging jobs of all sizes, from planting trees and mailbox installation to large construction projects. Completing this process before starting any digging project is critical to preventing accidents. Learn more about the process at swgas.com/safety.

 

Green Our Planet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects students to the wonders of the universe through indoor and outdoor school gardens. Green Our Planet’s garden programming increases academic performance, heightens environmental conscientiousness, and fosters healthy eating habits in students nationwide while alleviating food deserts where fresh produce is inaccessible. As one of the largest school garden programs in the United States, Green Our Planet is cultivating a resilient future generation of STEM leaders and conservationists, one seed at a time. For more information or to apply for a garden, visit www.GreenOurPlanet.org.

 

 

 

Stephen Miller, Southwest Gas Corporate Communications

702-364-3297