Sustainable Solano seeking properties for sustainable landscaping workshops

If you live in a neighborhood affected by floods or fires, Sustainable Solano may be able to bring renewable landscaping to your community.

Sustainable Solano, a local nonprofit aimed at promoting regenerative practices for the county, is seeking public and private sites in Vacaville, Fairfield, and Suisun City to demonstrate techniques and design features to address environmental challenges through workshops.

The organization has hosted several workshops over the years, which have resulted in more than 40 demonstration gardens throughout Solano County.

Among other things, Sustainable Solano is looking at ways to mitigate damage from flooding in Suisun City and Fairfield.

“Properties that are in designated communities with high flood risk could benefit from features such as rain-capturing in-ground swales — trenches that capture and slow stormwater to prevent runoff and erosion,” officials wrote in a news release. “But there are also opportunities to build upon those features with other ecologically sound design elements that build community resilience, such as food forest gardens and community gardens that provide food and habitat using waterwise garden methods.”

In Vacaville, where many homes burned during the LNU Lightning Complex fires in August, Sustainable Solano is seeking properties damaged by these recent fires for a demonstration garden.

“This can provide an opportunity for educational workshops on fire-resistant landscaping as well as bioremediation — the use of plants to regenerate the damaged soil,” officials wrote.

Sites chosen in Suisun will be supported through the organization’s Resilient Neighborhoods program, which aims to build community connection and resilience through sustainable landscaping projects. Additional funding will come from the Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation Foundation.

Sites chosen in Fairfield and Vacaville will be financed through the Sustainable Backyards program, which brings water conscious demonstration food forest gardens to public and private properties throughout the county with assistance from Solano County Water Agency.

Homeowners can apply to have their own properties considered for these projects, or suggest other sites like schools or places of worship, by filling out an interest form at Sustainablesolano.typeform.com/to/Aac6Ih.