New School Garden Celebration at Riviera Ridge
The official dedication of the Momma Works Garden at the Riviera Ridge School was a beautiful success as friends, families, and supporters gathered to honor this new garden and the community that helped it grow.
The event was filled with appreciation and wonder as guests toured the garden, admired the newly constructed beds brimming with baby plants, and watched hummingbirds dart in and out of the blooming purple salvias. They also got a glimpse of what students experience during a garden lesson by participating in environmental education activities led by Explore Ecology staff.
As the sun set, everyone came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony and a festive celebration of community and connection. Guests savored macarons from Rêve Pâtisserie, local cheese and refreshments from Cheese Shop Santa Barbara, and refreshing drinks from TW Hollister, all perfect touches for a fabulous evening.
We especially thank Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining, whose vision and generosity made the Momma Works Garden possible. Their heartfelt speeches and dedication to their mother, Thomasine Richards, was a reminder of the deep connections that gardens help us nurture, with the earth and with each other.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring this garden to life: our supporters and donors, the incredible Riviera Ridge staff and administration, garden designer extraordinaire Ramsey, our amazing Garden Educators, and the entire Explore Ecology team.
The Momma Works Garden is a magical place where students will grow alongside the garden for years to come!
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson
