At St. John's, Julia introduced the woodland restoration of the church courtyard and how people from the church and various community outreach programs are working together to design and implement the project. Our group gave some site prep and planting recommendations and did some clean-up of debris and invasive species. All Caring for Common Ground folks are invited to come to church planting days (their first planting day is scheduled for Sunday, May 19; contact Claire for more details if you're interested). Cheryl and Greg also very kindly brought a cake to celebrate my graduation - I really appreciated this, and the good wishes and singing from everyone there!

At the food pantry garden, Laura told us about the history of the garden, which grows food for direct use in the Catholic Multicultural Center food donation and free meal programs. We discussed siting the prairie planting, and we laid out landscaping barrier. Nola closed our gathering by guiding a beautiful walking meditation.

Check out the photos below!

We gathered for lunch and discussion, walking meditation, site preparation and tool use primers, and a bit of a bonfire. A wide variety of projects is underway, and people talked about how this group is helping them to stay committed.

Here's a snapshot of what people shared about their projects:

Marian is working with her friend Patricia to plan a workday at Troy Gardens for members of various Buddhist sanghas. They'll incorporate a contemplative practice into their workday.

Michael has been working with the Sherman Middle School Nature Club that gathers weekly in Warner Park. He's exploring ways that his neighborhood association can support the kids in planting fruit trees in the park.

Nola is working with the grounds committee at her church, Christ Presbyterian, to help guide selection of native plant species for a site on the property overlooking Lake Mendota. The intention for the space is to be welcoming to the larger community as well as the congregation.

Greg and Kathleen have been working on various surveying projects on the Monastery grounds. Kathleen is also engaged in an effort to protect a creek in a wooded area near her home.

Dean is working with Greg on developing a Master Plan for the Monastery grounds. New developments around the Monastery make its position in the watershed as a site that catches stormwater even more critical - as well as it being a sanctuary for human and non-human wildlife.

Maia is dreaming of her St. Croix County prairie as it "sleeps" this first year (year two it will creep, year three: leap!). Her next steps are to meet with the county forester to do a woodland assessment on her property, where she's interested in restoring a section of oak opening.

Julia is working with various groups at the church where the Backyard Mosaic Women's Project is housed (St. John's) to do a native woodland planting in their courtyard area. The courtyard is dedicated for use by the Off the Square Club, and the project will hopefully engage participants in this program as well as other people who use St. John's for services, the congregation, and the neighborhood.