<
https://grist.org/wildfires/what-it-takes-to-regrow-a-community-after-wildfire/>
"Seeds are special for Nina Raj, a docent at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center and
the founder of the Altadena Seed Library in Southern California. So when Raj
and her partner fled from the Eaton Fire on January 7, her first thought wasn’t
to pack clothes or important paperwork. Instead, she grabbed Matilija poppy,
California buckeye, sage, and buckwheat seeds from her greenhouse — part of a
seed bank she’d started to gather alongside a team of volunteers.
Raj’s home didn’t burn down, though it was contaminated with ash and smoke. But
the rest of Altadena, known as a thriving hub for multigenerational Black and
Latino families, wasn’t as lucky. The Eaton Fire burned at least 9,400
structures and killed 17 people there; up the coast, the Palisades fire
destroyed more than 6,800 structures and killed 12. Both blazes were fueled by
bone-dry conditions and hurricane-force winds. Climate change helped set the
stage for the extra-dry fuels and nonexistent rainfall: A study published last
month found that such hot and dry conditions are about 35 percent more likely
due to climate change.
Recovery is still nascent; people began reentering burned neighborhoods in late
January. But Altadena residents say that when the time comes, they’re ready to
thoughtfully regrow their community, once full of lush trees, native plant
landscaping, and backyard vegetable gardens.
The Altadena Seed Library, a network of seed exchange boxes, is leading the
charge. Raj’s project began in 2021, with several little seed libraries
stationed around the community. Seed libraries mimic regular libraries, but
instead of books, people check out (and use) envelopes of seeds for free. Now,
Raj and other volunteers are working on a game plan for regrowing the lawns,
gardens, and urban green spaces that combat shade inequity and increase food
sovereignty in their neighborhood — and looking to learn from other communities
that have also seen their landscapes drastically altered by destructive
wildfires.
Donated seeds and tools are pouring in from locals and places around the
country, as well as compost, pots, trees, and personal protective equipment for
people cleaning up the hazardous waste leftover from burned homes and melted
cars. “We’ve had a pretty overwhelming response,” Raj said. “People have been
so, so generous.” Individual volunteers and organizations like Club Gay
Gardens, a nonprofit in nearby Glendale, are helping sort the donated seeds."
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful:
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/wildfire-recovery-seed-library-la/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
