Nature Care

What is a learning landscape?

It’s a place where kids and families can explore and learn about nature close to school and home. At LATO’s first public school base at Santa Margarita Elementary School, we have worked with the Atascadero Unified School District to create and maintain two learning landscapes. These sites, featured below, provide both educational and stewardship opportunities. A living outdoor classroom needs ongoing care! See the Volunteer page if you’d like to join the stewardship team.

Dedicated June 5, 2016 in honor of Marguerite Costigan. Marguerite is a naturalist, bug-lover, artist and poet who has been a supporter of nature education for the Santa Margarita School LATO program since its start in 2005.

Location: End of the Santa Margarita Elementary School parking lot, near the entrance to the Santa Margarita Ranch LATO Trail. This landscape is accessible whenever the school parking lot is open.

What you’ll see: Some of the native plants associated with the local native oak plant community. There is a short trail from the parking lot. There is a small curb from the parking lot to the trail. We hope to make this fully accessible (for people using wheelchairs or strollers) in the future. 

Location: Along the H St. entrance to Santa Margarita Elementary School.

What you’ll see: Some of the native plants associated with the local native oak plant community. There is a short trail from the parking lot; plant identification signs will be coming. There is a small curb from the parking lot to the trail. We hope to make this fully accessible (for people using wheelchairs or strollers) in the future. 

Location: Vineyard Elementary School and Santa Margarita

What you’ll see: Nest boxes that make a perfect for cavity nesters, such as Western bluebirds. Due to habitat loss, cavity nesters were on the decline, but efforts by organizations like the California Bluebird Recovery Program (CBRP) have helped their populations by creating important habitats. LATO volunteers help monitor the nest boxes we have on our trails, so we can collect and submit this important data to organizations such as CBRP!