The award’s recipients are nominated by San Bruno city council’s Beautification Committee: a group of community members whose primary focus is to beautify San Bruno and its magnetism. Charter member of the committee’s President’s Council, Carolyn Livengood, decided to recognize Skyline for their efforts in creating an attraction that serves as a charming addition to Skyline’s campus.
The project was initiated and completed by Skyline’s biology professors Nickolas V. Kapp and Ed Wodehouse, along with a team of volunteers who helped with the grove’s installation: Richard Inokuchi, Diego Zarco, Sheikh Hussain, and Larisa Cosmineanu. “The Founders’ Learning Grove of Trees” rests between Skyline’s new tennis courts and batting cage, consisting of a triangular sector of land with picnic tables, along with a variety of tree specimens and foliage.
The floor plan is extremely pleasing to the eye and carefully designed. All plants and young trees were carefully selected to educate students about botany.
Not only can the public bask in the grove’s verdurous landscape, but Skyline’s very own President Victoria Morrow describes how students can now utilize the grove as a learning environment: a “mini museum of trees for students,” if you will. Of the 21 trees planted, the young seedlings range from renowned tree specimens such a Douglas Fir and Big Leaf Maple, to more exotic samples such as Serpentine Manzanita and Pink Flowering Currant.
Although the project was rather costly, the President’s Innovation Fund receives full credit for providing the necessary costs for the grove. In addition, it is the efforts of Nick Kapp, Ed Wodehouse, Carolyn Livengood, and to all who helped with implanting the grove on campus that made this project a success. “The Founders’ Learning Grove of Trees” truly depicts and demonstrates the importance of beautifying and nurturing our environment, a value that the beautification award encompasses and perpetuates.
