It’s all happening! In addition to our first Fruitful Communities Forum this Wednesday, April 14 at 7 PM (RSVP here), we’re actively working with the facilities team in DeKalb County to break ground at several sites in the next couple of weeks. We are very excited about upcoming projects at Stonecrest Library and Clarkston Library, as well as a wildflower meadow by the Heck House in Scottdale.
After a sneaky freeze at the end of last week, we should be in the clear to get spring plants in the ground. That means it’s safe for your tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and other summer plants to go in the ground. We recommend starting your spring planting as soon as possible to take advantage of what is typically a rainy month of April.
We are grateful for all your support over the last few months to bring us to this exciting time. We look forward to seeing you at the Fruitful Communities Forum on Wednesday and we can’t wait to engage you at some of these beautiful installations as the summer warms up. See you soon!
Here are this week's links:
A Fifth of Food-Output Growth Has Been Lost to Climate Change - Climate change has been holding back food production for decades, with a new study showing that about 21% of growth for agricultural output was lost since the 1960s. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-01/a-fifth-of-food-output-growth-has-been-lost-to-climate-change
Indigenous People Have Reclaimed the National Bison Range
Finally, after 113 years, the 18,800 acres of grassland, woodland, and wildlife that comprise the National Bison Range, along with its resident bison herd, will be returned to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The Story of Fish Peppers, a Legacy of the African American Garden
There’s a pepper that’s fruity and spicy, similar in texture to a serrano, but without any bitterness in its bite. It transforms from milky white to yellow to stripy green to blazing red as it matures: a sunset on the vine. This is the fish pepper, and its history is as compelling as its flavor.
Reforestation Is Great! But We're Running Out of Seeds - Planting trees is a popular solution to carbon emissions. But where will all those seedlings come from? https://www.wired.com/story/reforestation-is-great-but-were-running-out-of-seeds/
Time to Shift from “Food Security” to “Nutrition Security” to Increase Health & Well-Being - Tufts and Georgetown scientists, and humanitarian José Andrés, call for a new approach to address food and nutrition inequities. https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/time-shift-food-security-nutrition-security-increase-health-well-being/
Bill Gates is the biggest private owner of farmland in the United States. Why? Gates has been buying land like it’s going out of style. He now owns more farmland than my entire Native American nation. https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/05/bill-gates-climate-crisis-farmland?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
The Rules That Made U.S. Roads So Deadly - Why did traffic fatalities rise on U.S. streets during the pandemic? Blame laws that lock in dangerous street designs and allow vehicles known to be more deadly to non-drivers. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-30/five-ways-to-make-u-s-streets-less-deadly
With new public plazas, office workers set to return to a greener Midtown - Office buildings across metro Atlanta are adding expansive outdoor spaces complete with deck chairs, retractable glass canopies and plenty of grass. https://www-ajc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/with-new-public-plazas-office-workers-set-to-return-to-a-greener-midtown/HDJK4BQCVRBWVCWZTWESAEVMKE/?outputType=amp
Why You Should Plant Oaks - These large, long-lived trees support more life-forms than any other trees in North America. And they’re magnificent. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/realestate/oak-trees-why-you-should-plant.html#click=https://t.co/jotVwqLNFW
Multiple Studies Show Natural Sounds Improve Health - https://www.kunc.org/science/2021-03-26/multiple-studies-show-natural-sounds-improve-health