Peek Inside a Mural Unveiling with RuckusRoots

To celebrate our recently completed A.L.I.V.E Mural program at the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve, which had 120 direct youth participants from Environmental Charter Middle School Gardena, RuckusRoots held an unveiling event On March 17, 2024. We welcomed a variety of stakeholders, from participants and volunteers to funders and the greater community, to the ribbon-cutting of this 70-foot mural, which features native plants, local animals and representations of Tongva native people. Celebrations began with traditional songs and a land acknowledgement by Natives 4 Nature founder and Tongva tribe member Josh Andujo, and followed with remarks by founder, Christine Spehar, Board member Danielle Marquez and artist Ms. Yellow. Youth artists participated in the ribbon cutting, and a representative from District Supervisor Holly J Mitchell’s office presented our team with Scrolls of Commendation, recognizing our efforts in the community. The larger event put on by The Willows to celebrate Spring Equinox featured booths from local organizations including RuckusRoots, where we offered a free botanical painting activity.
Thank you to all our partners, especially Friends of the Willows the the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture for their support of this project.
RuckusRoots acknowledges the Gabrielino, Tongva & Chumash peoples as the original land caretakers of the Los Angeles area upon which we live and work.