Cal State La Garden Project

Garden Project: Cal State Los Angeles by Scott Cardona

 Sources

Step 1: Research

1) https://www.treehugger.com/california-native-plants-5194043

2) https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2022-02-19/drought-tolerant-plants-dry-weather

3) https://www.lvmwd.com/home/showdocument?id=711

ECONOMIC CHALLENGES!

2) https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2022/Sep-22/DWR-Takes-Actions-to-Support-Future-Water-Supply-Strategy

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGES!

Step 2: Personal

The social and economical aspect to this project that's pertains to me personally also effects everyone in California. We are headed into and may already be far into climate change where it is irreversible now unfortunately. This Civil Engagement project has made me think about our future here in Los Angeles. We are running out of water and we need to now take into consideration how we will find a source of food and or nutrition. We cant afford to exceed our resources on these plants and vegetables that need large amounts of water and care to exist. I realized that there are many plants in our state that are not native to California. Not only are they intrusive to our native plants. They take much more water and care to strive in our ever changing climate. In the near future we will need to have the knowledge of which plants can resist droughts and heat to be able to sustain themselves and us.

Gathering Evidence

Amber Castillo-"We need to learn how to grow our own vegetables again!"

Jennifer Busch: "With climate change happening as we speak we need to take into consideration how humans will survive and adapt to this situation."

Nicole Goodman: "With California statistically loosing percentages of water ever year, we need to prepare for our future and how we will be able to strive."

Mana Ahuja: "Climate Change is irreversible now and planting drought/heat resistant plants will help save and change our future for the better."

Dissemination of research to a public audience 

• It is stated that California has started to lose 10% of its supply of water every couple of years.

• Significant increase in global temperature. 

• Most people do not know how to care or build a self sustaining garden.

• High rate of intrusive plants in California

I feel as if this subject needs to be touched on and spread to the masses. California has obviously increased in temperature and global climate change is indeed real and upon us. The only real solution is to take into consideration how this country was originally cared for before we intruded ourself onto the soil. There are over 100 native plants and vegetables that grew organically and locally throughout California. A small garden plot was able to feed a whole civilization based on the native plants and vegetables that grew in the area. The are techniques that the indigenous people practiced that would sustain and bring the nutrients. There is a garden in Cal State La located near the Student Housing building. I brought it upon my self to introduce and plant 8 native California plants into the garden. Hopefully when those plants grow enough we can start to clone them and spread them all across Los Angeles and share our information on drought and heat resistant plants.