Our Mission is Activating & Engaging community intergenerationally through food forests, permaculture education & the Arts to co-create sustainable solutions to city food deserts.
Our Vision is to have low maintenance food forests in every food desert in the city.
per·ma·cul·ture
n. - the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
Beyond 'Human-centered' Permaculture is a living system for ethical land use infused with indigenous land wisdoms + techniques. Permaculture works with nature to support bio-diverse, resilient ecosystems.
A 'Permanent Agriculture' Permaculture integrates native plants + perennials that return + appreciate each year.
Permaculture is an agricultural design approach where communities work with biomimicry, nature & the health of living soil for the long-term benefit of the entire ecosystem which includes individuals & the community.
At an individual level, food forests or small gardens can be planted to reduce your grocery bill. Rainwater washing off your roof can be collected & purified for use in the home or for the garden. These are examples of small design strategies you can do that will support your community to be more sustainable, close-knit & resilient.
At the community level, consider your very street - the grass patch you walk past to get to your home is required by the city to be mowed below 6 inches. Instead, what if we planted natives, pollinators, bushes or small trees that provide soil, air + water filtration, habitat for wildlife, as well as nutrition for the community & shade to keep the street cool in the summer?
What if the cities implemented separated bike lanes to calm traffic, quieting the noise from vehicles & encouraging more healthy lifestyles?
All of this and more can be done to make our communities safer, more sustainable, resilient, & beautiful.
What is a food forest?
A food forest is a permaculture strategy that utilizes native plants, perennials, herbs, vines, trees and shrubs to produce food, medicine, and other human benefits. At the same time, it supports the complex ecosystem chains we rely on for energy and nutrition.
Food forests can be designed to be “rain-fed” and low maintenance, making them a great way to support the nutrition and resiliency of local communities with little downside.
There are considered 7 "layers" to forests: canopy trees (30ft+), understory trees (10-30ft), shrubs (10ft-), herbaceous perennials, ground covers, vines, and underground plants. In food forests, each one of these can produce food or medicine for humans, improve the soil, and provide food for important animals such as bees or birds.
This is something you can do in your yard or community garden!
What is creative Placemaking?
Creative Placemaking is a collaborative process that uses arts and cultural activities to improve the physical and social character of a community. Placemaking can address everything from Public Health, Safety, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability and Housing. Creative Placemaking increases vibrancy, builds social connections, strengthens communities, creating a sense of place, identity, and instilling civic pride.
The Creative Placemaking process will look different in every neighborhood based on the challenges, inputs and needs the art means to address, but projects can include:
Murals
Street Carnivals
Busker Musicians
Public Art Sculptures
Public Seating
Repurposing Unused Space for Businesses
Space Creation for Recreation and Sports
