Mira Loma High School volunteers assemble for tree-planting at the Edison Avenue School. SMUD Director Heidi Sanborn (front left) leads the project with Tree Foundation executive Sarah Saetern (right). Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – Green-fingered students and alumni of Mira Loma High School recently dug in to increase campus shade and beautify their school.

Fifteen new saplings will augment landscaping at the 66-year-old San Juan District property.  

Mira Loma serves almost 1,700 Carmichael, North Highlands and Arden Arcade teenagers. The school's International Baccalaureate program also draws students from further afield. 

The weekend planting project was a Mira Loma Alumni and Friends organization effort supported by SMUD and the Sacramento Tree Foundation. 

SMUD director and environmental champion Heidi Sanborn gave tips to volunteers.

“Planting trees is something we can all do to help our habitat,” Sanborn said. 

Student and alumni volunteers dig in at the school’s Edison Avenue frontage. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Transplanted from 15-gallon containers, the trees were mostly native and drought-tolerant species.

The Tree Foundation also provided smaller shrubs and ground-cover plants for the project. “SMUD now gives the Foundation money for shrubs,” said Sanborn. “We like these planted around the bases of new trees. They’re great for insect pollinators; they also protect tree trunks – especially from landscapers with weed-whackers.” 

The Alumni group has fundraised for campus beautification, donating more than $500 per year since COVID-19 school closures resulted in neglect and destruction of on-site landscaping. New plantings will be cared for by alumni and by students working to gain community service hours.

“We’re invested in creating an environment for students, staff and the surrounding community” said Mira Loma Alumni and Friends President Frankie Christie. “We’re building a bridge to the beauty of nature that will last for generations.”

Project sponsors included SMUD, Sacramento Tree Foundation, Tool Bank, Green Acres Nursery, Home Depot, Raley’s, Trader Joe’s and Domino’s Pizza.