We're growing more Fruitful Communities by shifting the paradigm of landscaping. We show governments, organizations, and the residents they serve how to turn lawns and vacant lots into Productive Urban Landscapes that fight climate change, create green jobs, and feed people.
Better landscapes for a greener future.
OUR VISION
Planning
Every Fruitful Community starts with a plan. That's why we consult with local governments and organizations to build a local Fruitful Communities roadmap, catalyze pilot projects, and foster coordination among all community stakeholders. We're not just building community gardens; we're growing beautiful community assets for a greener, more equitable future.
Growing more
Fruitful Communities.
Education
Next, we partner with local community colleges and universities to establish certification and training programs for residents, government employees, and private landscapers, so they can design, install, and maintain ecological landscapes. We also work with non-profits, community leaders, and corporate sponsors to build as many Productive Urban Landscapes (PUL's) as possible, multiplying the impact throughout the community, and giving new Growers a chance to learn.
THE SOLUTION
The Fruitful Communities Initiative.
The Fruitful Communities Initiative is our plan for shifting how we grow landscapes, providing a pathway for communities of all sizes to fight climate change, feed people, grow green jobs, and create outdoor classrooms for community engagement and education.
The dark side of modern landscaping.
THE PROBLEM
Modern landscaping may look nice and tidy, but hiding in those clean edges and leafless lawns is one of America’s darkest ecological secrets. Every leaf blower, riding lawn mower, and herbicide application is contributing to a growing ecological crisis, where soils become impoverished, water is polluted, and communities grow poorer.
Yucky
Fact 1
Noise from popular models of commercial gas leaf blowers exceeds 100 decibels. A jet plane takeoff or a siren is measured at 120 decibels.
Yucky
Fact 2
Landscaping pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, and yard debris are dumped in the same places we get our drinking water from.
Yucky
Fact 3
According to EPA statistics, just 33 gasoline lawn mowers can produce as much pollution as a car produces all year.
Engagement
Throughout the Fruitful Communities process, we include residents and members of the GreenHive, our leadership club for eco-conscious college students and teens. GreenHivers and community members get to design and build their own spaces, develop as leaders, and make lifelong friendships, all while working to address climate change and reduce food insecurity in their neighborhoods.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Join the Fruitful Communities movement by becoming a Roots Down Community Partner. It's free and takes less than 30 seconds! Get plugged into a network of climate-conscious folks from around the country as we make our yards, our neighborhoods, and our communities greener, more abundant places!
Your journey starts here!
