Hello Friends and Family!

I am currently a Board member at the non-profit Plant and Soul California (PASCA) and in light of Giving Tuesday, I am asking my friends and family to help keep this garden alive and contribute to its growth. I have had a long fluctuating relationship with Plant and Soul California (PASCA) formerly the California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF). PASCA’s garden was where I first experienced a space where native plants were growing alongside agricultural plants in an urban space. The garden was unlike any other space I had been growing up in San Jose - a place where people could connect with edible plants and native ecology that has been all but erased from the city landscape.

PASCA is where I found a passion for the intersection of edible and native plants and learning more about the amazing relationships that our plant, animal, and indigenous relatives have formed over thousands of years. After completing a landscape design internship and summer Nature Camp teacher position, I volunteered for several years after my initial experience with the garden, and I have taught an outdoor homeschool and preschool garden class at the garden as well. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors and help coordinate PASCA’s role in the Urban Growers Network, a coalition of food and ecologically focused non-profits in Santa Clara County.

We have had many changes and challenges this past year and a half since Alrie Middlebrook, the previous Executive Director, retired. The funds raised here will be used to help PASCA through the transition as we improve the structure of the non-profit and prepare the garden for hosting large events and educational programs.

Some of our goals for the future of the non-profit include:

Expanding our ecologically driven design build business.
Reopening our native plant nursery for the public.
Reopening our Earth Heroes summer camp and educational programs - including providing scholarships, and providing intern and educator opportunities.
Engaging the scientific community at the garden, such as using our garden to experiment with best practices for growing regenerative food in the city, documenting the restoration of our local ecology and community composting programs, and conducting pollinator surveys and soil surveys.
Continuing and expanding free and low cost community events, ranging from Monday night socials, volunteer training and support, and seasonal and family friendly events.

Thank you so much for your support! I truly appreciate any amount of funds you can contribute and if you can, please share this fundraiser with other friends and family too!

Allegra's PASCA Fundraiser

By Plant & Soul California

Allegra's PASCA Fundraiser

Help support a community based non-profit garden in transition :)