Harvesting Hope

CSUN Sustainability institue and The G.A.R.D.E.N.

Dr. Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg, climate researcher and author of Climate Vulnerability and Health, shares how storytelling and geospatial tools connect data with lived experiences. We explore CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability, its healing gardens, freight farm, and real-world impact. Shoutout to contributors Mabel Trigueros, Magdalena Torii, and Sarah Johnson for their dedication to sustainability and community resilience.

Seed of change: A Garden Story

The Institute for Sustainability was stablished in 2009. The formal launch occurred in March 2010 with the creation of the CSUN Organic Food Garden, starting off with just five raised beds. In 2016, the garden experienced significant growth. The garden symbolizes a living classroom.
It focuses on Education, Food security, Community building, and environmental stewardship. Emphasizing composting and protecting biodiversity.

Biodiversity and composting at CSUN sustainability Garden

the garden supports a diverse collection of over 200 species of california native plants. The Institute hired a biodiversity coordinator to monitor species using in person assessments and INaturalist. CSUN coastal sage scrub is a valuable habitat for the threatened Costal California Gnatcatcher. CSUN has been recognized as a bee Campus USA for the third year in row. 

Cultivating Community; the Garden at CSUN

An overview of the Garden as a hub for sustainable gardening and community empowerment since 2008.  Highlighting the importance  of community gardens in addressing food insecurity and environmental challenges. Addressing the gap in research regarding the use of storytelling in sustainability education.

CSUN Sustainability Garden contribution to The CSUN Food Pantry

Interview with officials at CSUN Food Pantry, vegetable and greens product from CSUN Community Sustainability Garden contributed to help food insecurity. CSUN Hydroponic as Food Farm a farming methode that has the potential to be a key part of the future of food production, it can help address many of the challenges facing agriculture.

Mitigating our footprint in climate change.

An interview with CSUN staff on Community Gardening, composting , Biodiversity, indigenous, food insecurities  food pantry and CSUN sustainability Garden Product tat goes to CSUN food Pantry. Mitigating our footprint in climate change by contributing sustainable gardening, proper use of water in irrigation. The garden as a living class room for students all fields. voluntary in garden as a hands on tool.  

CSUN sustainability Garden

A visit to the Sustainability Garden with Kol.
In a conversation with one of the sustainability garden officials about native trees, sustainability garden projects, food pantry, food produced in the sustainability garden, drought, irrigation.

Watter

 
Overview of irrigation methods at the CSUN Sustainability Garden.
Sustainable water practices in urban agriculture.
Community efforts in conserving water while maintaining growth.
Challenges and creative solutions for water management in arid climates

Soil Function in Sustainability Gardening

soil is a complex dynamic ecosystem of mineral particles organic matter, water, air and living organisms. it serves as the foundation for plant growth and plays a crucial role in various ecological processes.   soil  provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that plants need for growth healthy.  from water improving water quality.