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History

Aug 02
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The Lafayette Watershed, the Geography, Plants and Animals that Inhabit the Riparian Corridors

By Community Events, History, Irrigation, News & Events, Sustainability, Wildlife

OuScreen Shot 2015-07-28 at 1.09.53 PMr very own founder has been invited to speak at Lafayette Historical Society’s Speaker Series that focuses on the importance of water resources in our community!

Janet Thomas has lived in Lafayette for 31 years, a couple of blocks from Reliez Creek. She developed an environmental science course for the Acalanes Unified High School District and used the creek which borders the school and its surroundings as an outdoor classroom.

She is now involved with the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center, which is adjacent to Lafayette Creek. Her community involvement today makes use of her research and teaching experience in the Acalanes High School District as well as Mills College and the University of California at Berkeley.Screen Shot 2015-07-28 at 12.44.02 PM

Sunday, August 16, 2015 | 1:30PM
Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall
Donations: LHS Members $10, Non-Members $15
Children under 14 free with paying adult
Reservations requested.

For reservations or additional information, contact LHS:
Email: Lafayette.History@comcast.net
Phone: (925) 283-1848

 

 

Jul 28
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A Lamorinda Camp Exclusive: Meeting Nature Through Miwok Eyes

By Community Events, History, Kids, Outdoor Learning Center, Sustainability

Still looking for the perfect camp? Want to learn a little about the local history of Lamorinda? Then come and join us at the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center and immerse yourself into the abundant world of nature as experienced by the local Native American Tribe, the Saclans/Miwoks.

We will meet daily August 4 to 8, from 8:30 to 11:30am. Youth and open-hearted adults will live as tribal members adopting Native American names and cultural observances. We will use what nature has provided for tools, meals, clothing and shelter. The last morning will conclude with a tribal sharing of food and ceremony with guests.

Educator, Peggy Magilen, will lead this experience, assisted by other members of the Community Garden.

The camp is geared for children ages 8 to 12 years old.
A minimum of 6/maximum of 12 youth participants; a few additional (adult) caregivers welcome.
Cost: $50 per camper to cover materials.

Register today.

Jan 25
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Discovering a Sense of Place

By Community Events, History, News & Events

There is a great set of outdoor learning opportunities coming up at Heather Farms called Discovering a Sense of Place. The first one, called “Thinking Like a Naturalist: Reclaiming the Art of Natural History” happens on Wednesday, February 19 from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Camellia Room at Heather Farms.

Other Events Include:

February 26: The Culture and Natural History of Contra Costa County with Doc Hale – 7:00-8:30 PM
March 1: Field Trip to Morgan Territory with Doc Hale – 9:00-3:00 PM
March 12: Living In California’s Greatest Watershed – The Delta: Its History, Beauty and Its Future with Mike Moran – 7:00-8:30PM
March 15: Field Trip to Big Break Regional Shoreline with Mike Moran – 9:30-11:30 AM

Download the brochure here.

Registration is required for all talks. You may register online, by sending an email to rentals@gardenshf.org or by calling (925) 947-1678.

senseofplace

Nov 03
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Bye Bye Tank!

By History, News & Events, Sustainability

It seems like only yesterday when our water tank was delivered. This tank helped us through the first two years while our more permanent, sustainable water was sorted out. But now we have more space for growing!

Jul 03
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All Hail Doc Hale!

By Community Events, History, Kids, Outdoor Learning Center

Wow, check out Sophie Braccini’s great article in the new issue of Lamorinda Weekly.

Longtime wildlife biologist, naturalist, and ethnobiologist James ‘Doc’ Hale understands the Lafayette area, its natural beauty, the wildlife that lives there, and the history of the Native Americans who once built villages along its creek and tributaries. He will discuss these Native Americans, and the edible plants they used for sustenance and medication, on July 13 at the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center.

“The phrase that’s carved in our garden’s gate is Rachel Carson’s ‘In Nature Nothing Exists Alone,'” says Lafayette Community Garden’s Beth Ferree. “Gardening is only one of the components of what we are about; the other two are education and preservation.” Hale’s class is part of the garden’s mission to promote a better appreciation and use of our land.

Read more here.

Jim Hale

Feb 13
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In the News!

By Community Events, History, News & Events

The Lamorinda Weekly has the latest news from Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center.

A special aspect of the garden and learning center site is that it sits along the Lafayette Creek and is graced by a number of native riparian plants. These plants are highlighted in a natural riparian oak garden and along a short nature trail, which will be accessible during open hours beginning in March

Read more.

Photo by Andy Scheck

Photo by Andy Scheck

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Oct 27
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Janet Thomas wins Leadership Award

By Community Events, History, News & Events

Sustainable Contra Costa’s fourth annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards Gala was held on Wednesday, October 24 and Janet Thomas won the “Individual” award.

The evening’s biggest splash was the 2012 Leadership Awards. A 13-judge panel of local community members who understand or work in a field supporting sustainable practices selected winners in seven categories, and honored one individual for Lifetime Achievement. The awards were presented by Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich and Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez.

  • Janet Thomas, winner of the “Individual” Award, is a founding member of Sustainable Lafayette, and her vision of a community garden inspired $90,000 in support, volunteers in the hundred’s, and 50 households who now tend the food-sharing, education-spreading, Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center.

Read more here.