Pandemic Pond
The pond water (left) is now crystal clear thanks to the new OASE pressure filter. The filter for this pond (right) was installed into a nearby vault.
Saved by the Bell
School gets new waterscape with aquaponics during pandemic by Mike Garcia, Enviroscape L.A.
T
he year 2019 was just amazing from a business viewpoint. The economy was a business owner’s dream. Jobs were coming in faster than we could keep up with, and everything was good. As 2019 ended and a new decade began, early 2020 showed no signs of letting up! Then, the bad news began. In late January, the news began reporting on a new virus discovered in China called the Coronavirus. As February began, the Coronavirus began to take center stage on the world scene. In March, people were told to not go out in public unless it was absolutely necessary. We were told to wear masks to stop the spread of the virus. Masses of people began to hoard toilet paper when news broke of potential
January/February 2021
supply issues. Then came that fateful Friday when the Governor of California declared that all businesses shut down unless they were deemed “essential” — which most of us
Contractors Association was instrumental in getting the landscape trade designated as an essential business. Even though we knew we could work safely outdoors, many clients thought otherwise and postponed jobs. This meant I had to scramble to keep my crews working.
Back to School
This sign is posted at the school to explain to students how aquaponics works.
initially assumed only meant firefighters and law enforcement. Thankfully, the next day, the California Landscape
Around the time this was happening, I received a call from the Environmental Charter Middle School in Inglewood. They wanted to upgrade certain elements of the aging infrastructure across their amazing campuses, which include a high school and two middle schools (with plans underway to build an additional high school). We were happy to help out, especially because they had several existing ponds on campus. One was paid for through a POND Trade Magazine 55
