Photos From Our Formal Opening Ceremony - June 2, 2012

Cathy Beauregard, Events Planner who helped plan and execute
 our opening celebration

Cheral Sherman, Vice-President, Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preseve
greets guests

Steve Sherman (Treasurer, Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve)
and Walt Banta (volunteer) enjoy the garden

Gardena City Councilman Dan Medina and guests

Donald L. Dear (President, West Basin Municipal Water District - major donor for the garden)
 and Audrie Echinoz (Exective Director, Gardena YMCA - Master of Ceremonies)

Fred Davis (President) and Cheral Sherman (Vice-President,
Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve)

Mayor Paul Tanaka and Councilman Dan Medina
(City of Gardena)

David Berman (President, South Coast Chapter - California Native Plant Society)
and Donald L. Dear (President, West Basin Municipal Water District) cut the
ribbon.  West Basin Water District and the Conze Bequest (though the S. Coast
Chapter, CNPS) were major donors for the garden

Linda Gonzalez (Gabrielino/Tongva) blesses
Mother Nature's Backyard

Cheral Sherman (Vice-President, Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve)
expresses thanks to the many donors and volunteers who made
Mother Nature's Backyard possible

Cheral Sherman accepts proclamation from Congresswoman Maxine Waters, 35th Congressional District 

Congresswoman Maxine Waters chats with Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka
and Gardena City Councilman Dan Medina

Congresswoman Maxine Waters with Board of the Friends of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
left to right: Fred Davis (President), Steve Sherman (Treasurer), Anne Eli Rizzardi, Kelley Dawdy,
Congresswoman Waters, Cheral Sherman (Vice-President)
Constance Vadheim, Dana Wyatt (Treasurer)