At the foot of the MountainsWe live on the edge of the wildland-urban interface and the San Gabriel Mts, near the Tongva village place of Hahamongna, now known as Altadena within Unincorporated Los Angeles County. Our journey with the California native community has been transformative, deeply rooted in the Hahamongna Nursery and guided by the wisdom of native elders. Our children have participated in restoration and ceremony since their earliest memories. Recently, the Tongva regained an acre of land in Altadena, now called Huhugna, cared for by the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy. This connection to the original people of our community and the guidance they offer is crucial in rekindling our relationship with the land we call home.
I vividly recall staring out onto a barren lawn, envisioning a garden where birds and butterflies would grace my children's bedroom window. Over the past decade, we have slowly worked to restore native plant communities and the diverse wildlife they support. The journey has been magical, transforming our once arid landscape of junk cars into a thriving ecosystem. As we dug into the earth to establish new plantings, our children, Arlo and Lila, unearthed not only seeds of native flora but also remnants of a negligent past—glass shards, spark plugs, and rusted nails. Now, they discover mushrooms and caterpillars, witnessing the land's remarkable metamorphosis.
Paloma, my partner, has meticulously documented the increase in bird sightings and the flourishing native bee populations since our planting efforts began. The variety of species has multiplied tenfold, with eight species of birds now nesting on our property. Our home is now a haven, where Finches build nests in our eaves, and Cedar Waxwings delight in Toyon berries during their winter migration.
At our home, we've partnered with organizations like LA Greywater Corp, Amigos De Los Rios, Tree People, and the Theodore Payne Foundation, hosting workshops and initiatives to promote sustainable practices and native plantings. Our engagement extends beyond our homestead too, inspiring neighbors to embrace the beauty of native landscapes. Alongside hosting special community events, we foster regular connections such as compost drop-off and porch markets, potlucks and skill shares, contributing to the resilience and unity of our neighborhood.
During our children's early childhood, we joined homeschooling families in nature school meetups in the local rivers and mountains. Later we joined our local school, Aveson School of Leaders. Actively involved in the school garden and playground restoration, our family is committed to enhancing both ecosystem health and student health by unpaving our school and reconnecting to the earth. From Aveson School, New Horizon, the Altadena Library, and Arlington Garden to restoration projects in the Angeles Forest with Tree People and camping trips across California's wild landscapes, our children have grown up immersed in learning to care for the earth.
Our hope is to cultivate not only a deep love and connection to the land but also to actively participate in its protection and restoration. By engaging our family, community, and region in the restoration of urban spaces and the conservation of wild places, we aspire to provide the next generations with a home where they can celebrate and thrive.