The Soil Is Healing: Independent Testing Confirms Safe Play at Little Finch Forest School
After the Eaton Fire of early 2025, many Pasadena and Altadena families naturally wondered: Is it still safe for children to play outdoors?
At Little Finch Forest School LA, we take that question to heart — because outdoor learning is the foundation of everything we do. That’s why, in addition to following city and county testing updates, we commissioned our own independent soil analysis to make sure our campus remains a healthy place for children to explore, dig, and grow.
The results are in - and the news is good.
Independent Lab Testing at Little Finch Forest School
In June 2025, Little Finch partnered with Alluvial Soil Lab in Santa Cruz, California, to analyze soil samples collected from our outdoor learning areas.
The laboratory tested for:
Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) often associated with wildfire ash
Results Summary:
All PAHs and VOCs were found at very low concentrations, well below all health guidance levels
All heavy metals were also below thresholds, except arsenic, which was slightly above certain reference ranges but still consistent with natural California background levels
Importantly, the measured arsenic remains below Cornell University’s soil-quality safety guideline for human health
In plain terms:
Our soil is healthy, natural, and safe for play.
As the lab’s report noted, “the results are consistent with typical background levels in California soils,” and no remediation is required.
For families interested in even further reassurance, the lab suggested optional soil-strengthening practices such as planting sunflowers or mustard greens, which naturally absorb trace metals through a process called phytoremediation.
Regional Testing Supports These Findings
The Little Finch test results align with recent community-wide assessments:
The City of Pasadena Public Health Department tested local parks and found all lead levels well below California’s safety threshold of 80 ppm (City of Pasadena News).
Los Angeles County Public Health confirmed that, following cleanup, most Altadena and Pasadena soils are within safe limits for residential and school use (LA County Public Health).
Pasadena Unified School District conducted its own tests at campuses throughout the city, again showing that playground soils are within safe parameters (Altadena Now).
And NASA JPL’s 2024 environmental report confirms that nearby groundwater systems remain stable and that Pasadena’s water supply continues to meet or exceed federal safety standards (NASA JPL Water Program).
Together, these studies give families peace of mind that our community’s soil and water remain healthy and safe.
What “Safe” Means for Soil and Water
California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control considers soil below 80 parts per million (ppm) of lead and within background levels of naturally occurring minerals (like arsenic) to be safe for children’s play and gardening.
All Little Finch soil readings fell comfortably within these limits.
Water testing also continues to show that Pasadena’s municipal systems — including those near the Arroyo Seco and JPL — are delivering clean, compliant water (City of Pasadena Water Quality Report).
Our Promise to Families
We know that outdoor play only feels magical when parents know their children are safe.
That’s why Little Finch conducts regular environmental reviews and works with local experts whenever needed.
We would never let our little ones play in an unsafe environment.
Every inch of soil our students explore has been thoughtfully examined, tested, and cared for — ensuring that their connection with nature remains pure, joyful, and safe.
Why Nature Play Still Matters
With confirmed healthy soil and clean water, outdoor learning is not only safe — it’s essential.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, time spent in natural environments strengthens immunity, supports sensory development, and builds emotional resilience (AAP Pediatrics Journal).
At Little Finch Forest School, this means:
Children learn science through touching soil and observing plants
They build social and motor skills while climbing, balancing, and collaborating outdoors
They experience peace, confidence, and joy through daily connection with the natural world
Continuing Stewardship
We’ll continue nurturing our environment with:
Organic gardening and composting
Groundcover and native planting to enrich soil microbiomes
Occasional voluntary re-testing through certified labs to maintain transparency
And we’ll keep sharing updates openly — because healthy soil is at the heart of healthy childhood.
In Closing
From Pasadena’s public parks to our own forest classroom, the message is clear:
Our soil is safe, our water is clean, and our children can play freely under the California sun.
Little Finch Forest School will continue to care for this land - and for the little explorers who make it come alive every day.
