Greening Spaces Initiative An initiative dedicated to supporting and creating community-relevant green spaces. We recognize the vital role of these spaces in enhancing community health, fostering cultural sharing, addressing environmental justice, and promoting equitable food access. By collaboratively working with local residents, organizations, local government, and other stakeholders, we ensure that each space is tailored to meet the unique needs and aspirations of the community. These vibrant and inclusive green spaces become hubs for physical activity, recreation, and meaningful connections with nature, nurturing the well-being and resilience of all community members. Community Roots Farm A 1-acre community-run neighborhood farm in Oceanside, CA that seeks to help nurture, heal, and improve the quality of life of those around us. This project addresses the goals of both our EquitTable Food and Greening Spaces Initiatives. Community Plant Share We provide free plant seedlings for school gardens, food justice projects, and community greening efforts throughout San Diego County. Our paid plant subscriptions sustain this free seedling program, promoting sustainable food gardens and fostering community resilience. Plot Garden Project A regnerative urban food garden at the Plot Restaurant in Oceanside, California. Friendly Church Community Garden A community garden on the property of the Friendly Church of God in Christ located in Oceanside, California.

The Milpa Initiative An initiative dedicated to cultivating seed sovereignty. Our vision is rooted in climate resilience, ensuring access to culturally relevant seeds, and building an equitable and just food system. We strive to nurture a future where our communities have control over their seeds, feel empowered to share and continue to practice traditional foodways, and uplift our cultural heritages through seeds and plants. A current goal of the Milpa Initiative is to cultivate regional seed sovereignty for the San Diego bioregion that is essential for ensuring food security, ecological sustainability, and cultural preservation. Seed Library We are building out a seed library at Community Roots Farm in Oceanside, CA. This will serve as a regional seed bank that will support seed saving and sovereignty for our region. San Diego Seed Farmer Training The Seed Farmer Training in 2024 is designed to empower farmers from BIPOC communities in the San Diego bioregion with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to become successful seed farmers and seed stewards. The program runs from January 2024 to December 2024. Apply Now

The Plant Lab Initiative An initiative to empower our communities to teach each other, learn together, and remember our collective knowledge of plants and our reciprocal relationships. Through this work we aim to better understand, preserve and protect our natural communities. Our programs are committed to community science, environmental justice, and fostering engagement in and collaboration with historically marginalized and POC communities. Border BioBlitz A bi-national community science effort to record as many species as possible along the U.S.-Mexico border. Annually, BCDI leads the California portion of the Border Bioblitz. Join the May 2024 BioBlitz and particpate in document the stunning biodiversity of the borderlands. Learn More Youth Border BioBlitz Project A community science cohort for youth and their families in the greater San Diego region to join us in embarking on a collective journey to explore, understand, and document the biodiversity of our coastal and borderland ecosystem communities. This program culminates with the Border Bioblitz occurring in May 2024 Learn More Mobile Plant-Based STEM Workshops for Youth Mobile STEM workshops with topics based around botany, ecology, and the environment. Plant Camp A youth summer camp based around all things Plants! Classes, Workshops, and Experiences We facilitate and collaborate in a wide range of botanical workshops for all ages. Our goal is to make the botanical sciences accessible to everyone. Biological Consulting Providing professional biological consulting services for field botany and restoration projects in southern California and the desert southwest.