# EMA School Garden Grant Awards Start - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/ema-school-garden-grant-awards-start/ - Published: 2020-03-04T22:50:43-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy The EMA school garden grant is a gift. So for the first EMA school Garden Grants. For they are from the [**Environmental Media Association **](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/01/exclusive-interview-of-debbie-levin-president-of-environmental-media-association-regarding-her-time-at-standing-rock/)( EMA). Yes all to kick off their 30^(th)year anniversary. The grants are also sponsored by [City National Bank, America’s Premier Private and Business Bank®](https://www.cnb.com/). For in December, they [launched a two-tiered grant competition](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/israel-council-green-building-launches-its-first-internal-green-building-competition/). Only for Los Angeles schools. ![A group of people posing in front of a banner featuring images of students and garden activities, promoting the EMA school garden grants.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/53245E56-98B9-4495-9097-164F8C798A0E.jpeg?resize= 300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1) All consequently to help students benefit. That’s from shared urban garden experiences. As well as [inspire them to take action](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/05/green-ema-schools-inspiring-environmental-action/). All on behalf of nature. So this year’s winners include: $5000 EMA School Garden Grant Winner Carthay Environmental Studies Magnet $1000 EMA School Garden Grant WinnersUniversity High School Playa Del Rey Elementary Westminster Elementary Math Technology/Environmental Magnet ### Acknowledgement of Green School Garden Grant “We are overjoyed to receive this grant. Especially which will [bring Carthay students](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/05/green-students-bring-new-energy-ideas-northwest-style/) environmental education and interactions to the next level,” said Caterina Mercante, PTA President of Carthay Environmental Studies Magnet. That comment in response to the school taking [home the top](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/top-home-improvement-projects-to-pair-with-a-solar-panel-installation/) prize. All because the EMA grant funds allow us to [expand native pollinator gardens](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/two-months-laterat-porter-ranch-plus-the-role-of-environmental-disasters-in-the-2016-election/) and provide interactive experiences. Those which will be accessible to all students. All throughout the school day. That’s through the creation of Wildlife Gardening Stations. For students will have daily opportunities. All to enhance their observation skills as they study: 1. butterflies 2. silkworms 3. bees 4. birds 5. bats 6. and other insects. ![Lance Bass in sunglasses holds soil and seeds in a school garden, with various plants visible around him. Text overlay includes a quote about the EMA School Garden Program.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3AA9460A- 2168-4356-A142-D51A7F8A623A.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1) ### LA School Eligible All Los Angeles schools (ranging from the kindergarten to high school level) that were active in the EMA Green Schools Garden Program. For they were eligible to participate in the competition. Schools were evaluated based on their existing or [planned garden site](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/11/epa-clean-up-site-plans-for-quanta-resources/), strength of student, parent and staff involvement, and how their garden is utilized to enhance education. Submissions were also first reviewed by EMA and then the top applicants were sent to a panel of three judges for further assessment. #### Judges So the Judges included [EMA Board members](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/08/living-green-conversation-stana-katic/). They were Amy Smart, Lance Bass and Jennifer Nickerson. Finally City [National Bank’s corporate](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/04/national-bank-of-kuwait-takes-extensive-steps-towards-becoming-a-middle-east-corporate-sustainability-leader/) citizenship manager also was part of the team. “I chose Carthay Elementary as the recipient for the $5,000 grant. That’s because they are going to use the money to create new [habitat stations for wildlife](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/05/wwf-app-forest-conservation-efforts-restoring-wildlife-habitats/). #### Essential Bees I mean including bees which are so incredibly vital for everything! I chose Westminster Elementary as the recipient for the $1,000 grant because it is a predominately low- income community of students. Having a [garden teaches them about clean and healthy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/indoor-gardening-light-for-healthy-houseplants/) food and provides the children with the skills to be able to not only implement a school garden but take those skills and bring them home. They also have an All- School garden salad day which is a really nice way to provide lunch to the students who cannot afford it,” said Lance Bass, Co-Chair of the EMA Executive Board. For [more](http://www.green4ema.org/) on the Environmental Media Association ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)