QUESTION FAKE GRASS in LGUSD.

In an op-ed published in the 12/8/21 local newspaper "Los Gatan" (both the online and hardcopy editions),  Los Gatos resident Giulianna Pendleton urges LGUSD to "Prioritize children over plastic"... Read on the Los Gatan website or below.

It's December 5th.  Happy World Soil Day ! "Did you know Soil captures more carbon than trees!"  asks Candide Soil affects the climate that makes our planet habitable.  Soil is an essential foundation for all life on Earth! L et's work together to protect and restore Los Gatos soil health on our private and public properties, and in doing so, help slow changes to our climate and bolster our town's resilience to climate-induced weather extremes. Artificial turf installations in Los Gatos desertify our soils.   Desertification of soil is the permanent degradation of previously fertile land .   Converting a living landscape to artificial turf begins with  soil excavation.  The ground beneath is then compacted and covered with crushed rock similar to how construction of roads and parking lots begin. On top of that is layered other non-absorbent lifeless materials like, in some cases, a manufactured foam shockpad and finally rugs of green-colored plastic.  Life under a

Image from  The Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/14/sierra-club-opposes-artificial-turf-at-los-gatos-schools/ Highlights of the article: There is acknowledgment that environmental concerns of artificial turf may OUTWEIGH the drought mitigation it provides . The local Sierra Club opposes LGUSD's proposed installations of artificial turf.  It's concerned about: kids overheating kids getting burned PFAS "forever" chemicals toxicity pollution of Los Gatos Creek and other bodies of water use of fossil fuels to create plastic grass potential micro-plastic pollution potential gas pollution

Image from LGUSD slide presentation. Rather than go hunting through various emails to try to find the full set of docs shared by the district , you can find them all aggregated at https://bit.ly/lgusdturf    Pros / Cons of Synthetic Turf (the landscape designer's assessment) FAQ Regarding Landscape Upgrades Outdoor Classrooms and Campus Landscaping Update (11/3/21 version) Outdoor Classrooms and Campus Landscaping Update ( new content 11/8/21 ) To get familiar with the scope, costs, and consequences of the LGUSD's ORIGINAL landscaping proposal, view this original flyer  we created before district-hosted Town Hall Meeting . Go here for a recap of the Town Hall Meeting.