One Spring day in 2000, Tokion Magazine staff and friends; Esperanza Elementary School students, parents, and staff; West Downtown LA community members; Conservation Corp; Tree People; and Collage Ensemble Inc. artists and supporters met at Esperanza Elementary School. By the end of the day, forty trees and forty crawling vines in barrel like pots were planted. We transformed an asphalt and concrete envornment into a green oasis. Thank you to the over eighty volunteers who came that day and to the staff and parents at the school who continue to maintain the landscape.
"Verdito" or "Green" was designed as the project mascot by Joji Okazaki of Smogy Mountain.

Randy Ridges of Conservation Corp via the Urban Reforestation Project trains enthusiastic volunteers.

Photo by Melissa Flores