hope in unlikely places
in a surprise to absolutely no one, i found some more snails to obsess over
A few things that continue sparking hope for me: thousands across the country attended protests to stand up for science and research; NPS rangers continue advocating to protect national parks and the life that relies on them; people continue showing up for one another in the wake of disasters, whether through mutual aid or community art projects. And when I still feel overwhelmed despite seeking out positive headlines, I turn to plants — sometimes not even planting them.
Recently, I spent a Saturday morning yanking ice plants out of a mostly barren plot of land in Oxnard, California. Here’s a short reflection on how it went and what I learned (P.S., if you’re CA-based, keep scrolling for cool events and ways to get plugged in).
ways to get plugged in this week
—> If you’re near Oxnard, join MiniNature Reserve on March 22 for a guerrilla gardening session — you might even see some shoulderband snails :~)
—> Take the Community Environmental Council’s Climate Stewards certification program! It’s based on a curriculum designed by UC ANR to equip local community with connections and skills to build climate resilience. I took the course in Fall 2023 and am the TA this year — come join us!
—> If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area on March 26, consider attending this workshop and dinner on Food, Belonging, and Regenerative Futures hosted by From Soil to Soul, Alchemus Prime, and Wahpepah's Kitchen — space is limited! (Thanks Margaret for sending this my way to share!)
—> The Snerch (aka, Snail Search) is ongoing through March 31! In other words, if you see a snail, snap a quick photo and upload it to iNaturalist to help scientists learn more about Southern California snails and slugs.
—> Check out the HeyClimate newsletter for more LA-based events.
—> The Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline is BACK with the latest on native wildflower blooms in Southern California.
—> Join the Filter Feeder Contributor Network to stay up-to-date with submission opportunities, find fellow nature-inspired creators, and more! (You won’t get more than one email a month from me, I promise.)