Growing a Greener Community

More than information will be given away at the next community forum of the Valley Climate Action Center and City of Davis Climate Action Team.

A variety of drought-tolerant native plants and seedling trees will be given away at the forum, “Growing a Greener Community: reducing our carbon footprint through urban forestry, community-based agriculture and landscaping,” Wednesday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. Davis City Council Chambers.

Ellen Zagory, director of horticulture, UC Davis Arboretum, will tell you about “Right Plant, Right Place: Trees to Reduce Energy and Water Use.”  The plants, from the Arboretum, will illustrate her talk.

You may have thought we had enough trees in Davis, but Greg McPherson thinks we need more.   McPherson, director of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Center for Urban Forest Research, will speak on “Growing Davis’ Green Infrastructure: Trees, Carbon and More.”

McPherson envisions a more extensive forest canopy over the city, a multifunctional green infrastructure, providing a variety of benefits: reducing storm water run off, shading the pavement, cooling the environment, and sequestering carbon.

“Trees are like acupuncture needles relieving the pain and stress of the environment,”says McPherson.

Mark Van Horn, director of the student farm, Agricultural Sustainability Institute, UCDavis, will talk about “Eating on an Increasingly Small Planet.”  Van Horn will show how our food choices connect to global warming.  It depends on how we cook it, how it is processed, whether we eat it in season, and whether we grow it ourselves.

Van Horn oversees the 4.5 acre student farm which has 65 subscribers for their produce baskets and a long waiting list.

“A lot goes into the energy intensive tomato,” says Van Horn, “but the most important incredient is the last mile: how you get to the market, bicycle or car.”  He goes on to recommend raw foods, pressure cookers, and solar ovens.

Mitch Sears, director of sustainability for the City of Davis, will discuss “Planning for Davis’ Urban Agriculture Transition Area.”   Sears is responsible for much of the open space preserved on the periphery of the city.

The forum will be convened by City Council member Stephen Souza.   It is produced by Jenifer Segar for the city and Valley Climate Action Center.