LandPaths received a letter in January. It was not the first letter, nor the only expression of disappointment in a component of LandPaths' evolving programs.
This "component" is most keenly visible in LandPaths' work at BayerFarm and our inclusion of the Spanish language in our calendar, on our phone system, and as part of our programs. In reading the letter and considering the view point expressed, we choose to examine how we got to Bayer Farm.
It started with a long-standing vision to serve all county residents. This vision rests on an understanding that all Sonoma County residents, acting as individuals, in groups and as a community (because a community we are), will determine the future of our landscape and its many associated values and benefits (i.e. food production, wildlife habitat, clean water and air, respite and rejuvenation).
Acting on this vision began in our Winter 2004 Outings Calendar. We challenged ourselves to: "rethink not just our activities but also our organization, to open up our programs in new ways-ways that we cannot currently conceive."
Bayer Farm would fall into the "cannot currently conceive" category, as would urban walks and gardening. Back in 2004, we understood that diversity included languages, physical and mental abilities, socio-economic status, religions, national origin, race and environmental attitudes and values. And to this we responded with free Outings "diverse by design" including many human-powered modes from hiking and riding to paddling and rolling. We even seek out potentially divergent voices in our Stories About This Place, knowing the rich commonality land brings to us.
The connection between local conservation work and global climate change is now clearer. In 2009 it seems natural to offer child and family friendly Outings, and an urban compliment to our otherwise "out there" Outings-bringing nature home. We piloted an effort to use art to highlight the routes of smaller urban creeks throughout Santa Rosa. We imagined a park that draws kids, adults and families into the natural world. There began Bayer Farm.
LandPaths' work-urban or otherwise-looks at how we relate to the land- and enriches these experiences to elevate a connection to nature.
Breaking language and cultural barriers was requisite to successfully serving our whole community. It's been bumpy. A handful of participants reject the idea and some staff members have struggled with the balance of being inclusive without feeling excluded as English speakers.
Serving our whole community is essential to accomplishing our vision of a County-wide culture respecting and valuing the land, making choices daily to protect and steward the land's ecological health. Through all of this we have tried to stay authentic to who LandPaths is, yet also let the organization evolve with a growing understanding of the physical, emotional and spiritual values entwined with the land and expressions of people's connection to it.
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