Adopt a Native Plant Garden
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Adopt a native plant garden is a program developed by the City of Porterville together with the Tule River Parkway Association, California Native Plant Society, and US Fish and Wildlife in which volunteers plant and care for demonstration concept gardens along the Tule River Parkway.  These gardens will provide improved habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while using less water.

Tule River Parkway Association
A group of local citizens came together in the 90’s to help establish the parkway and have remained dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and development for public use of the Tule River.  That includes re-vegetating the river area with native species and lending expertise to the ‘Adopt a Native Plant Garden’ project.

Who can adopt a garden?

• A community group, club, business, or individual interested in:
• River pathway improvement
• Learning about low water use native plants and gardens
• Taking an active role in growing opportunities for outdoor recreation

Where will the gardens be planted?
The gardens will line the Tule River Parkway path between Jaye Street and Oak Drive.

How does it work?
Groups will be guided through the process of designing a concept garden for one of the available plot locations.  They will then plant the garden with support of project experts.  The planting cycle will run between October and March.  All project material will be supplied.

Maintenance
Groups will regularly check on their garden after it has been installed and be responsible for quarterly maintenance with the support of project experts.  All gardens will utilize plants that are California Native, low water use, support pollinators, and re-establish habitat diversity.

Why volunteer?

• Help improve the longest pedestrian and bike path in Porterville
• Learn about native plant gardens
• Improve the habitat
• Increase native plant diversity in the river corridor
• Team building opportunity

Other ways to get involved
Can’t take on a garden?  There are other opportunities for service including irrigation installation, moving boulders, and more.

About the Parkway
Tule River Parkway was originally developed as part of an extensive effort to clean up the river and make the natural wonder accessible to the public.  It features a 2.2 mile walking and bike trail with planned expansion.  It is accessible at Jaye Street, Main Street and along West Parkway Drive.

Garden theme examples:

• Butterfly Garden
• Wildflower Garden
• Scent Garden
• Slope Garden
• Waterless Garden

Check out the California Native Plant Society website for a feature story on the Tule River Parkway

Contact
Cathy Capone, Project Manager
(559) 361-9164
tulerivergarden@gmail.com