Biological diversity does not come easily in one of the most crowded and disadvantaged neighborhoods of Los Angeles County.

In that setting, Leo Politi Elementary School wanted only to make a dreary corner of campus more inviting to its 817 students. So three years ago they ripped out 5,000 square feet of concrete and planted native flora.

What happened next was unforeseen. It was remarkable.

The plants attracted insects, which attracted birds, which attracted students, who, fascinated by the nature unfolding before them, learned so much that their test scores in science rose sixfold.

(READ the full story in the LA Times)