Honoring sustainable partnerships in the community

Join IRWD in congratulating Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School of Lake Forest for winning a 2023 National Green Ribbon Award! This significant achievement was guided by the hard work of students, teachers, administrators and volunteers. 

It included research and collaboration with several local partners, including IRWD and Shadetree Partnership — which assisted with landscaping, and provided irrigation and gardening tips that helped secure the award.

State representatives from the California Department of Education, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, presented the award May 25 and toured the school’s all-native Heritage garden, composting facilities, sustainable vegetable garden and new landscaping featuring California live oak and fruitless olive trees donated by the Shadetree nonprofit, along with other plants. 

IRWD Senior Water Efficiency Specialist Juan Garcia and Landscape Contracts Administrator Victor Zamora provided guidance to the school on irrigation, plants and other sustainable practices.