The People's Money (2024-2025)
Play your part: Your Money, Your Community, Your Vote!
"We Grow" is a citywide initiative to cultivate life, empower community, transform neglected spaces and save endangered species—including ourselves.
- Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?
- Everywhere!
- Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.
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YouthOlder AdultsPublic Housing ResidentsJustice Impacted PeoplePeople with DisabilitiesLimited English SpeakersImmigrants/ MigrantsVeteransLGBTQ+ PeopleParentsUnhoused PeopleLow Income PeopleBlack, Indigenous and/or People of ColorEveryone!
- Describe the challenge you want to address:
- "We Grow" is a call to action, an invitation to nurture life in all its forms. We grow vibrant pollinator gardens that transform neglected urban spaces into havens of beauty and biodiversity. We grow life itself, raising endangered monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent winged creatures, releasing them to help grow the endangered migration . We grow local communities, uniting people through a shared love of nature and a commitment to caring for these precious creatures and the waystations to sustain them. And in doing so, we grow a citywide network of pollinator pathways, where these iconic creatures can thrive once more as a model for a nationwide “Wings Without Borders” community. The "We Grow" initiative seeks to address a multifaceted challenge facing urban communities: 1. The Nature Deficit: Many city dwellers, particularly in underserved communities, lack access to open green spaces and meaningful nature experiences. This disconnect from the natural world has profound consequences: Diminished well-being: Studies show that exposure to nature reduces stress, improves mental health, and promotes physical activity. Limited environmental awareness: Without first hand experiences in nature, it's difficult to cultivate an understanding of environmental issues and a sense of responsibility for the planet. Reduced opportunities for learning: Nature provides a rich context for exploration, discovery, and hands-on nature learning experiences that are often absent in urban environments. 2. The Decline of the Monarch Butterfly: Monarch butterflies, iconic pollinators and indicators of environmental health, are facing a precipitous decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Their dwindling numbers threaten the health of ecosystems and the future of food security. 3. The Need for Community Building: Urbanization can lead to social isolation and a lack of community cohesion. Creating shared spaces and collaborative projects can foster a sense of belonging and empower residents to work together towards a common goal. In essence, "We Grow" aims to bridge the gap between urban communities and the natural world, while contributing to the conservation of an endangered species, including ourselves. By transforming neglected marginal spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens and engaging residents in the process, we can foster environmental stewardship, enhance urban biodiversity, and create a more connected and resilient city.
- What is the solution to the challenge?
- The "We Grow" initiative proposes a multi-pronged solution to address the challenges of the nature deficit, monarch decline, and the need for community building in urban areas: 1. Create a Network of Pollinator Gardens: Transform neglected urban spaces: Identify and reclaim vacant lots, tree beds, unused green spaces, and other underutilized areas to create a network of pollinator gardens throughout the city. Prioritize biodiversity: Plant a diverse array of native wildflowers and essential milkweed species to provide food and habitat for endangered monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Focus on accessibility: Ensure that these gardens are accessible to communities with limited access to green spaces, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. 2. Foster Community Engagement and Education: Hands-on learning: Engage residents in the creation and maintenance of the gardens, providing opportunities to learn about pollinator gardening, monarch conservation, and the importance of urban biodiversity. Educational programs: Develop workshops, training sessions, and curriculum materials for schools and community centers to integrate monarch conservation and environmental stewardship into existing programs. Citizen science: Encourage community members to participate in citizen science initiatives, such as monitoring monarch populations and tracking their migration patterns. 3. Promote Sustainability and Expansion: Secure funding: Seek public funding, crowdsourcing and grants to support the creation, maintenance, and expansion of the pollinator gardens and educational programs. Develop a replicable model: Create a model "We Grow" waystation that showcases sustainable gardening practices and can be easily replicated throughout the city and beyond based on building organizational partnerships with schools and city agencies. Community ownership: Foster a sense of community ownership and responsibility for the gardens, ensuring their long-term sustainability. By implementing these solutions, "We Grow" aims to: Increase access to nature: Provide urban dwellers with opportunities to connect with nature and experience its benefits. Enhance biodiversity: Create essential habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, supporting their populations and promoting urban biodiversity. Foster environmental stewardship: Empower communities to become active participants in conservation efforts, fostering a sense of responsibility for the natural world. Build community: Strengthen community bonds through collaborative projects and shared experiences in nature. Ultimately, "We Grow" offers a holistic approach to urban greening and environmental conservation, transforming not only the physical landscape of the city but also its social and ecological fabric.
- Please provide your Zip Code
- 10034
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