March 2018 - Taylor Scott Nelson

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – “Pismo” the Surfing Goat & Santa Barbra PT. 1

March 31, 2018 No Comments

“Pismo” the Surfing Goat & Santa Barbra PT. 1– Summary:

Who: N/A
What: Took a pit stop at Pismo Beach, and met Pismo the surfing goat; Visited Santa Barbra and back tracked to a nearby town for my destination the next day
When: Saturday, March 31
Where: Pismo Beach, CA; Santa Barbra, CA; Lompoc, CA

Quick Resources:

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

After leaving the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, CA, I headed back toward the coastal highway and spent the majority of the day driving to Santa Barbra. I made frequent stops along the way to check out the diverse California landscape.

One of my more interesting stops was in Pismo Beach, CA. I pulled off the highway and maneuvered the bustling, touristy coastal town streets to the beach where I came across Pismo the Surfing Goat.

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – Forestiere Underground Gardens

March 31, 2018 No Comments

Forestiere Underground Gardens – Summary:

Who: N/A
What: Stumbled across and toured the Forestiere Underground Gardens
When: Saturday, March 31
Where: Fresno, CA

Quick Resources:

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

Driving to Fresno, CA, was completely unplanned, but still in the direction of my travels to Santa Barbara. The city reminded me a lot of Lubbock and Amarillo in West Texas, so I wasn’t terribly impressed with this desert city.

However, when I looked for permaculture related sites and community gardens in the area – the Forestiere Underground Gardens came up in my search results, and I was more than impressed with this unexpected destination.

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – Ecovillage Farm Learning Center

March 30, 2018 No Comments

Ecovillage Farm Learning Center – Summary:

Who: N/A
What: Drove from Davis, CA, to the Bay Area of California; Stopped by the Ecovillage Farm, but it was closed
When: Friday, March 30
Where: Richmond, CA

Quick Resources:

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

I left Muir Commons Community that morning and drove towards the bay area, hoping to make a drop-in visit to the Ecovillage Farm Learning Center.

“EcoVillage Farm Learning Center, a project of Earth Island Institute, is a non-for-profit organization, which was founded in 2002 by its current Executive Director, Shyaam M. Shabaka.

Our mission is to create a healthy sustainable environment and socially/economically just society for present and future generations. EcoVillage Farm Learning Center is a place where urban residents of all cultural backgrounds feel welcome and come to learn through (participatory) “mind/hands on” activities how to restore and protect Mother Earth and her people.

EcoVillage Farm Learning Center is an “Oasis of Connectivity” in the City of Richmond, a city that is often perceived of as a food, safety and environment desert.” – Ecovillage Farm Webpage

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – Berkeley’s Ecology Center & Gardens

March 30, 2018 No Comments

Berkeley’s Ecology Center, EcoHouse & Community Gardens – Summary:

Who: N/A
What: Visited the community gardens near the Ecohouse; Stopped at the Ecology Center
When: Friday, March 30
Where: Berkeley, CA

Quick Resources:

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

After leaving the Ecovillage Farm Learning Center, I made my way to the heart of Berkeley, CA, to see some local community gardens and the Ecology Center.

My first stop was the EcoHouse, a demonstration home and garden located in a North Berkeley residential neighborhood. Because the house is a private residency, I was unable to tour it.

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – PLACE

March 30, 2018 No Comments

PLACE Community & Workshop – Summary:

Who: N/A
What: Visited the community gardens near the Ecohouse; Stopped at the Ecology Center
When: Friday, March 30
Where: Berkeley, CA

Quick Resources:

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

A few minutes down the road from the Ecology Center, I came across People Living Art, Community & Ecology (PLACE), which was also another recommendation by the EcoHouse volunteers.

“We are a public-serving, experiential learning center to showcase and foster sustainable living practices, urban homesteading, community resiliency & preparedness, social justice and artistic expression. Our goal is to incubate a local sustainability hub to allow people to see solutions in practice; to gain access to the knowledge and resources to empower them to take action in their own lives, neighborhoods, towns, cities and bio-regions. We hope to grow this green-center model into communities across the world in partnership with community centers, schools, park & recreation facilities and other local organizations.” – PLACE Webpage

General, Road Trip

Eco-Road Trip – Mountain View Cohousing Community

March 30, 2018 No Comments

Mountain View Cohousing Community – Summary:

Who: Kate Forrest
What: Visited the Mountain View Cohousing Community in
When: Friday, March 30
Where: Mountain View, CA

Quick Resources:

Mountain View Cohousing Community Webpage

My Route:

Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post

My Travel Story:

Continuing on my travels, I left People Living Art, Community & Ecology (PLACE), and made it to my final planned stop for the day at Mountain View Cohousing Community, a seniors-only upscale, energy-efficient condominiums and common facilities collaborative neighborhood.