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News & Events

Aug 28
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Urban Farmers in the News

By Community Events, News & Events, Organic, Sustainability

Nice article today in the Contra Costa Times about The Urban Farmers.  You can read the whole article here.

LAFAYETTE — What began as a gleam in the eye of Siamack Sioshansi, founder of The Urban Farmers, has become a growing groundswell of East Bay gleaners.

From students at Danville’s Athenian School to a cadre of fresh produce pickers at Temple Isaiah and Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette to future food justice fighters at Contra Costa County’s Monument Crisis Center in Concord, Loaves and Fishes, Diablo Valley College and various Kiwanis clubs to a coalition at Moraga’s Saint Mary’s College, an ancient tradition has become more than a trend in the East Bay.

Read more.

Aug 02
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Meeting Nature through Miwok Eyes

By Community Events, News & Events, Outdoor Learning Center

Sophie Bracinni’s story in the Lamorinda Weekly features an upcoming camp at the Lafayette Community Garden and Learning Center.

The Lafayette Community Garden site has everything that’s required to transport one back to the time when men and women lived in harmony with the land, taking only what they needed and feeling fulfilled in return. It lacks only the Lamorindans of 5,000 years ago: the Saclan tribe.

Peggy Maglien’s ambition is to take a group of children ages 8-12 (and maybe a few adults) back in time Aug. 12-16 and let them experience what it was like to live connected with nature. The camp, “Meeting Nature Through Miwok Eyes,” is offered through the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department.

Read more here.

Ranger Bruce Weidman (right) and Doc Hale build a Miwok dwelling at Sugarloaf Open Space

Ranger Bruce Weidman (right) and Doc Hale build a Miwok dwelling at Sugarloaf Open Space.

Apr 21
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Science Cafe – Plants, Perfumes, and Poisons – May 1

By Community Events, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, News & Events

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Community Hall | Lafayette Library and Learning Center

Science Cafe – Plants, Perfumes, and Poisons

Curious about what makes a stinking hellebore stinky? What makes leaves turn color in fall? Organic chemist Dr. Margareta (Greti) Sequin, author, plant enthusiast and Lecturer Emerita at San Francisco State University comes to the LLLC to talk about the plants we love, and the things we love about them – like their scents, oils and colors. She’ll share her vast knowledge of California native flora and their pleasing and poisonous properties.

Dr. Sequin will lead us on a virtual, photo-illustrated walk around the vicinity of the Lafayette Library and surrounding nature areas to explore the smells and defensive substances of native plants. Plants are masters at defense, in the form of tough skins, thorns, or sharp spines, but also in the form of bitter saps, sticky resins, or poisons that can harm. We will look at plants that contain defensive substances and examine their molecular structures….no previous chemistry knowledge required! We’ll also explore the connections with human uses of these plant substances, such as commercial fragrances or medicines.

More information here.

Apr 08
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Let’s Celebrate Spring!

By Community Events, News & Events, Outdoor Learning Center

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is sponsoring this spring fundraising event. Please join us in this fantastic opportunity to explore Mount Diablo with new eyes.

Sunday May 5, 2013 wildlife biologist and naturalist Jim Hale will lead a natural and cultural history interpretive hike to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. We will meet Jim at the parking lot and staging area to the preserve at 8:30 A.M. for a brief introduction and orientation. At 9 A.M. we will depart on a 5-mile moderate loop saunter as Jim interprets the medicinal and edible uses of wildflowers and native plants. He will introduce us to wildlife and several Native American sites, including Volvon villages, hunting blinds, ceremonial cupule rocks, a prayer circle, bedrock milling stations and other resources. We expect to return by 3 in the afternoon.

Bring a lunch and plenty of liquids. Wear appropriate clothing and hiking shoes. We can carpool from the Community Garden or you can meet us at the staging area. Morgan Territory Preserve can be reached by taking Ygnacio Valley Road to Clayton. Take a right on Marsh Creek Road for three miles. Turn right on Morgan Territory Road and continue for 9.4 miles to the staging area at the top of the ridge on the left.

Cost: $30/individual; $50/Family This is a tax-deductible donation to Lafayette Community Garden. Limited space is available. To register, email Beth Ferree at bethferree@comcast.net.
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.