Protect Habitat for Climate Resilience

California is host to approximately 6,500 native plant species, many found nowhere else in the world.  Many of these species are currently listed as rare, threatened or endangered. Climate change has impacted the natural habitats of our native flora and fauna: planting and hardiness zones are changing, plants are leafing out and blooming earlier, birds and butterflies are breeding and migrating earlier, and wildlife species are shifting their ranges.

Protecting and nurturing a diverse flora and fauna is key to climate resilience. Adopting regenerative landscape practices such as choosing California natives first, providing water and shelter, using organic pest management and conserving or restoring natural areas and wildlife corridors will help to conserve valuable wildlife resources and restore damaged ecosystems.  

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The History of Indigenous Chockenyo Land in the East Bay

Naturalist, interpreter and environmental educator, Francis Mendoza will talk to us about the history of the Chochenyo land that we inhabit. He will also focus on horticultural and medicinal ways Ohlone peoples use to take from and give back to the land.Francis will explain how the Indigenous peoples of the area, now known as the Oakland Bay Area, have talked story, lived sustainably and protected their land from invaders since time immemorial. As we acknowledge the land we live on, it’s also increasingly necessary to learn the true history of invasion, subjugation and trauma that native peoples have endured and continue to endure to this day. Through discussion and demonstration, Naturalist Francis Mendoza will present a holistic view of native people in the bay, one based on culture, language, food and land management. He will focus on TEK or Traditional Ecological Knowledge, having come from the Philippines where traditional Indigenous knowledge is also valued and shares a similar history of colonization by first, Spanish Colonizers, and later, American Imperialism.

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