To help our communities equitably implement sustainable and regenerative practices to slow and adapt to climate change.
This Big Idea will result in community-run city forests including a Miyawaki-inspired “food forest” in Marina and at least one Miyawaki Tree Forest in one or more Monterey County cities. These forests are the natural next step for CSMC which has successfully restored native plant communities and launched pollinator gardens within City parks. Miyawaki forests use a four-step process: 1)assess soil, 2)amend soil, 3) plant, and 4) weed until desired tree and food forests are established. These Miyawaki Tree and Food forests are planted and tended by experienced lead volunteers and lots of youth and families. They are perfect for school projects, school bus field trips, weekend family volunteer efforts, and those residents who would like the social benefits of volunteering outdoors with others and getting purposeful exercise. Miyawaki forests grow ten times faster than regular forests, use sixty percent less water, and eventually require far less maintenance.
When I discovered the Oak Woodlands Community Garden last year, I found not only a place to grow some veggies in a raised bed full of compost-rich soil, but I also found kindred spirits. The volunteers who help maintain the native plants, trees, and pathways; who teach passersby the advantages of growing natives in their yards; and who put in hundreds of hours to produce the annual Marina Earth Day celebration are inspiring to be around. C4SM members do all this, and more! They give demonstrations at schools and other community events, pick up trash on the side of the road, and install native plants at other area parks and community spaces. This is an awesome organization and I am proud to be a new member.
- Angie Landrum
