As a board member of the nonprofit
Youth Drought Project (YDP) I would like to encourage readers to hire our local
youth to make your yard more climate-friendly. Despite occasional wet years
like this one, climate models predict long-term drought for our region.
Youth Drought Project employs
high school and college students to eliminate lawns, save water, and build soil
through sheet mulching and, where appropriate, rainwater retention contours. In
place of lawns they plant low-water or food plants and install stone or gravel
pathways and patios. The kids develop social skills, a work ethic, and job
skills while responsibly engaging with our community and environment.
To help mitigate the climate
crisis, Youth Drought Project is now working with landscape designers and
horticulture experts to create food-forest landscapes. We can integrate
a beautiful design of food-bearing or otherwise useful trees, shrubs, flowers,
vegetables, and herbs into your yard that will develop over time into a
flourishing Mediterranean food forest. The produce goes to you, people
in need, and the local community.