Living WITH nature.

The creekside remediation project with Villa San Ramon has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. Perhaps most beautiful for me are the dialogues we have with the residents of the community, sharing their memories - of time in their home gardens, of their favorite flowers, of the lush colors and aromas - and expressing their appreciation for our work.

Last week, I toured the site with the Executive Director and the Vice President of Operations for Vintage Senior Living. As we walked, it was noted that the trees now in lush flower had only few flowers in the year prior. And, Virbunums previously with limited flowers are now with abundant flowers.

It is, simply, providing the opportunity for abundant diversity within the community of soil microbes that results in this kind of plant health. And love, I think.

We continued our work on the property and discovered the marvel of Nature in the parking lot. Within the deep cover of Boxwood in a parking median, lay a mother Mallard on her nest. I captured two snails and dropped them to her as an offering for her trust in us. And, as we have worked this site, the Canada Geese, Snowy Egrets, Peregrine Falcons and Cooper's Hawks have graced us with their presence as we apply compost, plant natives (e.g., Penstemon pseudospectabilis), and broadcast wildflower seeds.

It is a gift to do the work of healing soils. Truly. And so much more to share...